The joy of the birth of Jesus was expressed beyond our capacity to visualize—by all of God’s angels: “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him” (Heb. 1:5–6, KJV-BRG).
The angels were overcome with joy, jubilation, and worship because the gift of eternal life had just entered earth’s domain, expressed by the Father’s love, in the form of His only begotten Son. What else to expect after 4,000 years in the making? John, the beloved, expresses this gift of eternal life in verses found in his gospel and in his personal letters. These Scriptures from the Ancient Words proclaim the precious gift of Christmas Day and are shared so that our joy may be complete:
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” (John 3:14–15, NIV).
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV).
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them” (John 3:36, NIV).
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13–14, NIV).
“Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together” (John 4:36, NIV).
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24, NIV).
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval” (John 6:27, NIV).
“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day” (John 6:40, NIV).
“Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life” (John 6:47, NIV).
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day” (John 6:54, NIV).
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28, NIV).
“Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25, NIV).
The angels were right: the babe came in glory because, just thirty-three years later, He would save the people from their sins. The angels were right: the infant would be called Immanuel—God with us. The angels were right: the child would be named Jesus. The angels were right: the Son would be called Son of the Most High. The angels were right: a Savior has been born in the town of David, and He is Christ the Lord!
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14, KJV-BRG)!
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