Christmas Reflection

This is the season to think about the birth of Christ.  The birth of Christ is  the most spectacular event in history.  Paul states that Jesus came in the fullness of time.  He was born of a woman and born under law to redeem those under law.  Jesus came to His people Israel.  His mission was first to His people.  He had a message of repentance in preparation for the Kingdom of God.  Repent and believe the good news was His theme.  But we know HIs own people rejected Him. God was not caught by surprise, He had a plan.  Although the gospel was first to the Jew, it was not only to the Jew. God's plan all along was (Paul calls it the mystery of God) that the Gentiles also are included in the gospel.  John stated it this way:  "He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God, to those who believed in His name, who were born...of God."  John 1:11-13.  The Son of God was born to die, that we might be born again as sons of God.  This is an amazing mystery and wonderful privilege--to the Jew first, and also the Gentile.