Every Christmas there seems to be one specific Carol that speaks directly to my heart.  And not just a song, but a specific lyric.   Last year it was the line to the song "O Come All Ye Faithful," that goes, "O come let us Adore Him, Christ the Lord."  And this year it was the lyrical plea, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel."

O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel!

I've watched "The Nativity", the glorious cinematic account of Jesus' birth, two times in the past two days and have been so astounded by this thought, "IT'S TRUE!  IT'S TRUE!  IT'S ALL SO BEAUTIFULLY TRUE!"  God's people, Israel were so oppressed and in desperate need of saving literally, some two thousand years ago.  But they were also in dire need Spiritually.  

Unable to follow God's law to the letter, their sins needed atoning for, and the cost was more than any mere man could pay.  The penalty of sin was death.  Every man deserved to die for their own sin against the Lord, but God's heart was to redeem and to forgive and to ransom them all from their literal and spiritual captivity.  And so He sent His own Son.  His Beloved Son straight from the Glory of Heaven, to Earth.  God Himself made flesh.  The fullness of time had come to it's pinnacle and spilled out of Heaven into the womb of a young and willing, humble girl.  And on that first Christmas she gave birth to the One who would redeem her, her people, and all of those from every tribe and tongue, throughout all of history and all of mankind, who would, like Mary, say "yes" to carrying Jesus deep within them.

We have all known captivity, of one kind or another.  Abusive home environments, addictions to love , liquor, drugs, or sex.  We've known what it is to be shackled to hatred and evil thoughts and desires.  We've known pride, envy, bitterness, and unforgiveness.  We've been possessed by it's power, and utterly unable to save ourselves from it's fiendish grasp.  We've needed... A Savior!  

Well, my friends, He has come.  He has Come!  Emmanuel!  To ransom Captive Israel!  It's true!  It's true!  It's all so beautifully, simplistically true.

And you, you, are God's beloved.  All those who believe are adopted into the precious family of Israel; ransomed, secure, paid for, and redeemed.

I'm in awe of this truth today, and am praying for those of you who have never let God's Loving Gift of Eternal Life through Jesus, His Son into your hearts.  Say Yes, say Yes to Him today.  Say Yes.... It's True!