Dear Friends,

Picture the scene: Heaven’s King comes—not arrayed in riches or worldly grandeur, but in humility, offering heaven’s eternal gift—Himself.Luke 2 reveals this awe-filled moment, the very heartbeat of Christmas:

“In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (the Messiah). And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.” (v8-12 AMP)

This was no ordinary birth but heaven’s embrace. The Infinite drew near—God with us, resting among hay. Let’s uncover the treasure hidden in this humble scene…

THE SIGN OF CHRIST’S BIRTH

When the angel announced the birth of the Savior, the sign wasn’t a star (that came later), nor a miracle of thunder or fire. It was this: “You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Why would God choose such an ordinary sign as the divine marker?

Bethlehem was more than a quiet hillside village—it was a consecrated cradle for lambs set apart for temple sacrifice. These were not common sheep. Each one was watched with care, born for a holy purpose, and tended by shepherds well-versed in the laws of purity. When a flawless lamb was born, it was tenderly wrapped in cloth—often strips from worn priestly robes—to protect it from blemish and preserve its perfection. To keep the lamb still and uninjured, it was then laid in a manger (a stone trough) that held the lamb’s fragile form until the time of offering.

THE SIGN OF REDEMPTION’S LAMB

Jesus, the Lamb of God, was born in the same region, wrapped in the same way, and laid in the same kind of manger as the lambs destined for sacrifice. From the moment of His birth, His life was marked by surrender. Every detail spoke of redemption.

From the beginning, God’s heart was reconciliation. Though sin built a chasm between heaven and earth, love built a bridge—and that bridge was Jesus. Jesus didn’t come only to speak wisdom or perform miracles.

He came to be offered.

From the manger to the cross, every step of His life moved toward one purpose: to bear our sin, our shame, our distance from God. And when the final breath was drawn, His blood didn’t cry judgment—it whispered invitation: “Come home.”

And now, this gift—once wrapped in humility—is ALIVE in Believers. Christ in us, the hope of glory. “For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.” Colossians 1:27 (NLT)

This gift was never meant to remain hidden. It must be unwrapped in our lives, revealed through our choices, our compassion, and our courage. When we forgive, when we serve, when we love sacrificially, we unwrap the nature of Christ and display Him to a world in need.

BELIEVERS: LIVING SIGNS OF RECONCILIATION

“…God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (NLT)

God didn’t simply pardon us—He welcomed us back into friendship and a relationship. Through the sacrifice of Christ, the wall of separation was torn down, and the way to intimacy was opened wide. Hebrews 10:19-20 gives us this great news! “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.” (NLT)

We are no longer outsiders or adversaries—we are beloved friends of God. And now, He entrusts us with the same heavenly mission: to help others find their way back to Him. But here lies the challenge: if God no longer keeps record of others’ sins, then we must also learn to release the offenses we’ve held. We must learn, through practice, how to forgive, release, and pray for those who hurt us as Jesus taught us in Luke 6:27-28: “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” (NLT)

Notice Jesus prefaced His instructions with, “But to you who are willing to listen”. When we are unwilling to listen to Jesus’s clear directions, our lives suffer as a result. Unforgiveness creates bitterness and resentment that chains us to all kinds of unnecessary suffering. Forgiveness is vital to our own quality of life. Releasing bitterness loosens the grip on our minds, allowing healing to flow to our bodies.

Proverbs 4:20-22 explains, “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.” (NLT)

Sometimes the pain caused by family or friends cuts the deepest. But Jesus is the Healer of all wounds—physical, emotional, and mental. Psalm 147:3 declares: “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (NLT). Brokenhearted refers to the inner person—the soul, mind, thoughts, and memory. God’s healing is not limited to the body; He heals and restores the mind and memory, too.

When we forgive, we align ourselves with the very nature of God. Forgiveness does not erase the memory of what has been done, but it transforms it, allowing grace to flow into places where bitterness once lived. In this way, forgiveness becomes a doorway through which God’s healing enters our lives.

Praying for those who have hurt us is not only an act of obedience but also medicine for the soul. Each prayer loosens the grip of resentment and opens space for peace to take root. As we lift our offenders before the Lord, we invite His Spirit to work in ways we cannot, softening our hearts and freeing us from the weight of pain and anger.

Trusting God with the outcome is the final step in this journey. Reconciliation may not always mean that broken relationships are restored, but it always means that broken hearts are. Healing is never dependent on human response; it rests securely in the faithfulness of God. When we surrender the results of our situations to Him, we discover that His restoration is deeper and more complete than anything we could orchestrate ourselves.

UNWRAP THE GIFT

The first Christmas gift was not wrapped in gold or radiant splendor, but in humility, resting in a manger. That gift now lives within us! Christ’s compassion, courage, truth, and mercy are not ornaments, but living proof of His love.

In this season, release what binds your heart and robs you of peace. Put away pride, anger, and offense. Forgive. Pray. Reconcile. Place every hurt in Jesus’s hands, so that He can restore what is broken. Let the sign of the living Christ be revealed—not only in your words, but in the way you live and love. This is the true meaning of Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Life with Father Ministries

BORN OF THE SPIRIT: A NEW BEGINNING

In John 3:5-7, Jesus said, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’” (NLT)

Jesus didn’t come to improve our old life—He came to offer us a new one! In John 3, He speaks of a mystery that awakens the soul: “You must be born again.” Not a physical rebirth, but a spiritual one—birthed by water and the Spirit.

Human life can only reproduce what is human. But the Holy Spirit breathes an eternal, pure, and transformative life. This new birth isn’t earned—it’s received. It’s the miracle of grace, the moment heaven touches the heart and awakens us to God’s Kingdom. 1 Corinthians 5:7 states that, “…anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (NLT)

If you’re ready for a new beginning, don’t wait another moment! You can pray the simple prayer below and step into the assurance of eternal life. Then, whenever possible, connect with a Christ-centered church where you can grow in faith and deepen your walk with the Lord.

PRAYER FOR SALVATION

Jesus, I come to You knowing I need Your forgiveness. I confess that I’ve sinned and I believe You died on the Cross to pay the price for me. Please forgive my sins, come into my heart, and make me new. I receive Your gift of eternal life and ask You to be my Lord and Savior. Thank You for giving me a fresh start. Help me now to walk in truth—with You, with myself, and with others. Create in me a clean heart, and give me the desire to follow You in all things. Amen.