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December 27, 2023
Titus 2:11
11For the grace of God has
appeared that offers salvation to all people.
“For the grace of God has appeared, that offers salvation to all.” In this one verse we find a summary of the Christmas story. The Christmas Story is really at its foundation the story of God’s grace. This verse in Titus, instructs us that the event of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is all about grace. God’s grace makes its appearance in Jesus Christ.
The appearance of grace has its purpose in the salvation of “all people.” New Testament writer Beverley Gaventa reminds us that “All people” includes sinner and penitent, persecutor and persecuted, “insiders” and “outsiders” of every type.” The point is God’s saving grace knows no limits.
Grace teaches all of us Jesus followers to wait for “the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:13–14). This is a summary of Christian confidence in the future and reminds us that our celebration of Christmas, the first advent of God’s grace in Jesus Christ, is also a celebration of the promised second advent as well.
This grace first appears in the little town of Bethlehem, but this grace intends to impact the world. God’s grace comes to Mary and Joseph in a manger, is seen by Israel and the shepherds, and it is proclaimed to the wise men and to all nations. Christmas comes as the kindness and mercy of God is extended to the whole earth, for all who believe.
Let us worship Him today with a more recent song (see below), that has become a favourite of mine, as the song writer reminds us of the outcome of the birth of “our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
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