The headlines tell the state of our world in just a few simple words – “MASS SHOOTING AT SCHOOL,” DRUG OVERDOSE AT ALL TIME HIGH,” “SEX TRAFFICKING, RIGHT HERE,” and the list goes on.  Our world is filled with bad news.  There is unrest in our political arena.  Children are committing suicide at alarming rates.  The aged are being abused.  Abortion is a matter of convenience.  Life is no longer valued.

The world is not a pretty place and yet there is still the glory of a sunrise or sunset. God has placed life on this earth for our enjoyment and rest.  Every day is a gift.  At least I’m alive.

Well, those are sentiments we’ve all expressed at one time or another.  Life can be miserable to say the least, but if we’re defeated by it, we’re turning our back on the greatest hope we have – Jesus.

Jesus is God’s remedy for a sin sick world.  In fact, God came to earth in human flesh, to experience life as we know it.  He isn’t Superman nor does he repel bullets and leap over tall buildings, although He is certainly capable of doing so.   Instead He chose to be born into poverty, to a simple family from the line of King David.  All the prophesies of old were fulfilled in His birth.  He knew the scriptures, because He was the author of them.  He was able to stand up against temptation of Satan, because He is God.  He is able to forgive sins, because of His amazing grace.

To most folks that sounds like the recipe for some kind of fantasy story – a science fiction drama designed to make us feel better about things.  In fact the whole thing sounds quite extraordinary.  Why would God submit Himself to a humble life, no home to call His own, an exhausting ministry and a humiliating mock trial and horrific death?  None of it makes sense to our logical human minds.

But in God’s eyes it makes perfect sense.  He is the ultimate example of love in its purist form.  He loved us so much, He designed a perfect world for us.  Even though we thought we didn’t need Him, He stayed with us.  He carried our sin to the cross so that we wouldn’t have to.  He overcame Satan and the power of evil.  He promised life in paradise for eternity.  All this was done for us, not because we deserve it, but because we have a perfect God who loves us without measure.