Considering the Cost of Christmas Pt 2

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Recently we looked at the typical costs for an avid runner over a lifetime.
Author Jim Warrensfeltz does a phenomenal job of researching all sorts of costs (including how many calories you might burn; the cost of food and sports drinks to replace all those calories; and even mileage to the races and entry fees. All in all, some runners may spend as much as it costs to purchase a new home (see article Runners World, July 22, 2013).

We concluded good things in life invariably come at a price! Running costs time, money and effort! In the same way, it might be easy to blow through a Christmas season and overlook the associated costs. Costs not related to money.

In “Considering the Cost of Christmas Part 1” we saw that the Christmas event cost Mary a huge inconvenience; Joseph the price of trust; and shepherds risked safety for their flocks in the fields to visit the baby Jesus. The birth story of Jesus, related in Matthew 1 and 2, and Luke 2, goes on!

Matthew 2 relates that wise men (magi) traveled from the far east to worship Jesus. It may have taken them up to 2 years to make it to Bethlehem, and by that time Mary, Joseph and the toddler Jesus were in a house (Matthew 2).
But they laid aside their power, pride, and prestige to bow down and worship Jesus.

Those who worship Jesus today are required to pay that same price -
laying aside, power, pride and prestige to worship. The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:8-9 – “I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him…” 

Now, in contrast to the magi who traveled hundreds of miles, the seven-mile trek from Jerusalem to Bethlehem was for too much for Herod. Even though he SAID he wanted to come and worship Jesus, the reality is that his power was threatened by the new-born king. Perhaps Herod feared losing power; or riches. Herod is our reminder that often people are unwilling to pay the price to worship the Lord Jesus.

Is there a price tag on Christmas for you this year…a price you’re struggling to pay to worship the Lord Jesus. Jesus said, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

Oh, before we leave the Christmas story, we have to consider that our Father in heaven paid the price for Christmas to be real. ““But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

The first Christmas cost God the Father His Son, Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

So there it is, the most expensive Christmas gift of all – God gave His Son.
The price for our salvation has been paid in full.

That’s a reason to rejoice as we race toward 2021!