MEMORY VERSE

Imagine that every time you sin, an ugly dark X is marked on your heart. Every time you lie, you are mean to someone, or you say hurtful words, another X is written on your heart. Every time you don’t help, you are selfish, or you think mean thoughts, another X is added. Every day, X X X X X X. You can’t even see your heart because it is covered completely with all the nasty things that you think, say, and do.

God looked at your heart and saw each and every X, each and every sin. God cried. Then God decided to do something radical; he decided to send his very own Son into our world to deal with those Xs..

Jesus’ heart was perfect, clean, and beautiful. He chose to give his heart and his life to destroy all of the Xs that have dirtied your heart. Jesus was born as a baby. Jesus died on a cross. He rose from the dead three days later. Now, when God looks at your heart, he smiles. God takes every single X--every lie, mean word, and unkind action--and flings it far, far away. God looks at your heart again and sees your heart as being as perfect, clean, and beautiful as Jesus himself.

Christmas is more than decorations, presents, and candy. Christmas is the coming of God’s great gift of a clean and pure heart through Christ Jesus. Christmas is hearing the angels’ message: Do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord! Christmas is singing with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and joy to all God’s children, whom he loves.” Merry Christmas!