Advent Devotionals: Day 26

On that first Christmas morning, God set into action His plan of redemption.  God the Father gave His Son to take on human form.  The Christ Child was the God/Man and was given the name of Jesus.  The birth of Jesus was essential to His sacrificial death on the cross approximately 33 years later.  The Apostle John states that Jesus is our advocate.  In God’s perfect plan of salvation, He knew that His children would commit acts of sin.  As our advocate, Jesus pleads our case with the Father against Satan’s accusations.  Jesus reminds the Father of our righteous standing because of His substitutional sacrifice for our sin.  Jesus also defends the Father against Satan’s accusations.  Since His blood was shed for our sin, Satan can no longer justly accuse us before the Father.  The Father is acting rightly in having us in His heavenly family.  No longer are there any grounds for Satan’s accusations because of Christ’s sacrifice.  This Advent Season may we understand that both the cradle and the cross are essential to our salvation.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for never abandoning me even when I sin.  Your substitutional sacrifice for my sin not only forgives my sin but gives me a perfect standing before You and the Father.  It is wonderful to know that I can never be separated from You and the Father.  Help me to reflect, this Advent Season, on why You came to this earth in that humble stable.  You came to be my personal Savior and the Savior of the World.  Amen 

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