GOD DOESN'T LOVE AN IMPROVED VERSION OF YOU - a Christmas blessing

 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.    (Romans 8:28-30 ESV)
GOD DOESN'T LOVE AN IMPROVED VERSION OF YOU.... HE LOVES YOU RIGHT NOW! 
THAT'S A GIFT WORTH CELEBRATING!

Christmas Comfort and Joy

 "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
  and cry to her
 that her warfare is ended,
  that her iniquity is pardoned,
 that she has received from the LORD's hand
  double for all her sins."     (Isaiah 40:1-2 ESV)
The comfort and joy of Christmas is this;  God invaded planet earth to fix the mess we made of His good Creation... Our God speaks tenderly to us in our distress.
In Christ, our warfare is ended.
The war in won - IN HIM.
Our sins are forgiven - BY HIM.
The pardon we receive outweighs the severity of our crimes - HE MADE THE PAYMENT.
 
*THE LORD'S COMFORT AND JOY SNUFFS OUT ANY GRIEF THAT OUR SINS HAVE CAUSED HIM. 
It's now that we can truly sing, "Joy to the World" ....

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

The words of the beautiful Christmas hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" capture the meaning of Christmas for us in the truest possible way. Far removed from Elves, presents under trees, candy canes and reindeer, we see Christmas for what it was intended to be - not what it has become. God sent His Son to deliver His people. "Immanuel" means "God with us". God Himself would dwell among His people once again. The promised deliverer of Isaiah 7:14 would appear... The people of Israel had been in exile and bondage. They were not the victim, however... They had turned their back on God and worshipped others.. But God, who is rich in mercy and steadfastly committed in His love, promised that they would not suffer for their sin forever. He would bring about their deliverance. The Messiah would suffer for their sin - in their place.
Just like captive Israel in the days of Jesus' birth, we are born captives. Held in the chains of our own sin. Without a deliverer we have no hope. Our eternal destiny rides on the shoulders of another. The deliverer would carry our sin to the cross with and tomb with Him.
The long-awaited rescuer hears our cries...
The long-anticipated redeemer paid the price for our sin...
The longing for wholeness, peace, deliverance is here - Immanuel (God with us) has come.