Fortress of Grace

When the offices and stores and restaurants have finally quieted on Christmas Eve …

Amid the gifts and feast-laden tables …

Will we manage to lay aside all the trappings of Christmas and perhaps encounter Christ?

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
~ John 1:14 (NKJV)

Matthew tells of Joseph and Magi, Luke tells of Mary and angels, and we receive images of another time and place. John shares the most fundamental Nativity truth in a single sentence—God laying aside one form of glory for another so He might become Man—and we receive Grace and Truth.

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”
~ John 18:37-38 (NKJV)

Truth—cause of the Christ Child’s birth—is a rare commodity these days.

Statisticians and politicians shape facts. Educators and businessmen barter in information. Sages and philosophers ply abstracts.

God alone supplies Truth solid enough to build one's life upon. Truth is found in His Word. His Word is named Jesus, both the Babe in a manger and the King on a cross.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.
~ Psalm 84:11

Grace is simply having favor with God, the Father Who provides and protects His precious children. Grace holds us up and encompasses us and covers us, a sun and shield, blessing and buttress. This fortress of Grace, built upon Truth, is our storehouse of blessing and security in an uncertain world.

“I am not worthy of the least of all the grace and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant.”
~ Genesis 32:10

When other gifts are unwrapped this week, in celebration of God’s ultimate Gift, remember that a fortress of Grace may also be yours, wrapped up in Jesus.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
~ Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)

Thank You, Father, for matchless, amazing grace. Thank You for sending us Truth, wrapped up in a Baby, unveiled by our King.

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Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.