The recent, alleged antics of a beautiful Miss USA queen have plunged her onto front page headlines around the world. Today, December 19, was "Judgment Day" when she would face "the Donald," and await her "foregone fate," to be stripped of the much-coveted crown she had won. To the astonishment of the world - AND the woman - rather than being "fired," she was forgiven!
Grateful for grace - and a second chance - she will enter rehab and promises to redeem her ways. We wish her well.
Brings to mind a drama or two from the Gospels.
He's the God of Christmas and Redeemer of the Heart!
Her crown was tarnished, her name defamed. She was guilty, for sure, and she awaited the final word. It came from the Master, the Almighty God of Christmas, and rang out to no one, for the accusing crowd had fled, filled with its own guilt and shame.
"Have you accusers none?" Christ asked the woman.
"No, Master, they've all gone."
"Then neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more!"
Grateful for grace - and a second chance - the woman found, in Christ, a new faith, a new focus and a forgiven heart. Why? Because He's the God of Christmas and Redeemer of the Heart!
"...I will redeem you with an outstretched arm...(Exodus 6:6 KJV)." + + + + + + +
He's the God of Christmas and Restorer of the Soul!
The "petra" was in pieces. Peter, the lively stone that would be a great leader in God's Kingdom, had fallen out of place--and grace--so he thought. He, the strong, sturdy "never-forsake-Thee" disciple had betrayed the Lord he loved.
But God did not give up on Peter. After the Resurrection, Christ said, "Go tell my disciples--AND Peter." And it was that Peter who faced Jesus and found, in Christ, not condemnation and conviction, but love, forgiveness and a second chance.
Why? Because He's the God of Christmas and Redeemer of the Soul!
"...I will restore you that you may serve me...(Jeremiah 15:19 KJV)."
I watched a man on television grant human grace to a queen and realized that the God of Christmas came to earth to divinely do the same for us all. For you see, long ago, Adam and Eve blew it - and we've blown it too! But He's the God of grace who came to give us a second chance - to destroy the curse, to redeem the world and to restore us back to Himself. May we bow before His manger - and Cross - this Christmas to believe and receive His amazing grace--and the second chance He awaits to give!
--Copyright 2006 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, MO. All rights reseerved.
