The Why Behind Christmas - Day 24

What if the heart of Christmas is not nostalgia but rescue? On the day before Christmas, we pause the rush and sit with John 3:16–17 to ask a deeper question: why did God choose this moment, and why arrive in such a humble way? We walk through Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph, then trace four simple words that carry the weight of the gospel: love, gift, promise, and judgment, discovering how each one reframes the season and speaks to our real lives.

This reflection is part of a 25‑day Christmas devotional journey that pairs each written entry with a short, thoughtful audio companion. If you’ve been feeling the pressure of the season, let this time of Scripture and prayer steady your heart and remind you why joy at Christmas is both honest and enduring. We close with a simple prayer and a clear path forward: praise God for his love, receive the greatest gift, cling to the promise, and walk in mercy.

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Song: Whip

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome And Series Context
• 0:46 Key Passage And Episode Focus
• 1:10 Bethlehem Scene And The Big Why
• 1:50 Four Words: Love, Gift, Promise, Judgment
• 3:07 Praise, Prayer, And Next Steps

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:00

Hello, hello. This is Jesse Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart Podcast. Welcome, welcome. This year I'm bringing my 25-day Christmas devotional to life in a new way. Beginning on day 11 through day 25, each devotional entry now has a matching mini podcast episode, a simple 8 to 10 minute reflection designed to help you slow down and truly sit with the story of Jesus' birth. Each episode clearly follows the same day as the written devotional, so day 11 in the book is day 11 on the podcast and so forth. My hope is that these daily audio reflections make the journey to Christmas feel even more personal, peaceful, and meaningful. Thank you for being here. Let's go. The Why Behind Christmas, Episode 91, day 24, Key Passage, John 3, 16 through 17, and it says, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have ever eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Today is the day before Christmas, a day filled with anticipation, reflection, and quiet wonder. Mary and Joseph have arrived in Bethlehem. They've traveled a long distance, they're tired, and they're searching for a place to stay. We know how the story unfolds. But today I want to want us to pause and focus on the why behind it all. Why did God choose this moment? Why did He choose this way? Our scripture today comes from one of the most well-known passages in the Bible that I just read, John 3, 16 and 17. This passage beautifully sums up the entire gospel message, I feel. If I had to break it down into just four words, they would be this love, gift, promise, judgment. First, love. God's love is so unconditional. He didn't wait for the world to clean itself up. He loved us fully and completely, even in our sinfulness. This reminds us that no sin is too big and no person is too far gone for his love. Number two, the gift. God gave the ultimate gift, his one and only Son. Jesus was born, he lived among us, and ultimately saved us from sin. As we prepare to exchange gifts tomorrow, let's remember that this is the greatest gift ever given. Number three, the promise. The promise of salvation is clear and simple. Whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life. It's not about works, it's not about perfection, it's not about earning it. It's about faith. And finally, number four, judgment. Jesus didn't come to condemn the world. He didn't come to shame or point fingers. He came to save us. He came to be the solution of sin and to offer us a way out through him. So as we prepare to celebrate Christmas tomorrow, let's take a moment to praise God for his love, his gift, his promise, and his mercy. These truths are the foundation of Christmas and the very reason Jesus came, the Messiah, our Savior. Let's pray. Lord, thank you for providing the perfect solution to salvation through Jesus Christ. We're so grateful, Lord, for the savior you gave us and for your unconditional love. We don't deserve it. I pray that we as believers would represent you well in all that we do. Help us to share the gospel with confidence, with love, and without judgment towards others. We love you and we praise you, Lord, in Jesus' name. Amen. Till next time. Thank you for listening. This episode is part of my Christmas devotional series inspired by my written devotional, 25 Days Till Christmas, a scriptured-filled journey preparing our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I invite you to read along and reflect on his story in a deeper way. Details in the show notes for the written devotional. And it also says in Scripture, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill towards men. Luke 2, 14. And don't miss the next reflection in this Christmas series by subscribing to the podcast to continue walking through God's word this season. And a little bit about me. I'm Jesse Morgan, wife, mom, and devotional writer and podcaster who loves sharing biblical encouragement and the hope we find in Jesus. Till next time, Jesse Morgan signing off.