The Alphabet of Christmas: E is for "enduring"

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Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of Gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 136:1-3, NKJV)

Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles!
Laud Him, all you peoples!
For His merciful kindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD! (Psalm 117, NKJV)

I don't know if you realize this, but the Triune God did not come up with the plan for Jesus to be born into this world on the spur of the moment. Even before He created the universe, God had ordained that the Christ would take on human flesh, to reveal Himself to us and to bear our sins.

When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, God promised the Seed who would crush the head of the serpent. Noah built the Ark, a picture of the saving grace found in Christ. Israel was given the covenant of the Law, so that they would be a righteous nation and show the holiness of God. David the King was promised a Descendant who would reign in truth and justice forever. Isaiah proclaimed the promise of the Son, the King of Glory and the Prince of Peace - this Child, born of a virgin, who would be Immanuel, God with us.

This persistent love, proclaimed over and over and over throughout the Bible, fulfilled at last with the birth of a Baby in a little stable, in an obscure town called Bethlehem.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
      Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
      Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
      The One to be Ruler in Israel,
      Whose goings forth are from of old,
      From everlasting.

Welcome! Welcome yet again to the Everlasting God, who enfleshed Himself to live and abide with us. He is our Immanuel, God with us, the King of Glory who has come to show us the enduring love of God and to offer His salvation. Our Savior, our great God, who came as a tiny Baby...

Father, thank You for Your enduring love, which bears any burden and pays such a terribly wonderful price to save Your children. The tenderness You shower upon us is humbling, and I pray that we keep it ever before us, so that we may praise and glorify You all the days of our lives. Immanuel - God with us. Welcome!

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