By Phil Harwood

It’s a humbling experience to realize that you have failed and there’s nothing you can do about it, but that is exactly the situation. However, this story actually does have a good ending. Let me explain.

Usually, when we mess up, we can fix it. If we say the wrong thing at the wrong time, for example, we can apologize and learn from our blunder. If we buy the wrong color paint, we can go back to the store and buy the right color. However, in some situations, we can’t do anything to make it right. 

This week, Christians around the world will celebrate the birth of Jesus. Anyone who has watched A Charlie Brown Christmas knows some basic details of the Christmas story, as Linus quotes directly from Luke Chapter 2: 

“8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

    14 
    “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

What is often overlooked is one of the most important parts of the story--in the words of Paul Harvey, “the rest of the story.” The rest of the Christmas story is this: that there is absolutely nothing we can do on our own accord to right the wrong we created between us and God due to our disobedience to Him (sin). The only price we could ever pay that’s high enough to cover our sin is that of our very life. Even if we strived to live the most perfect life, we would always fall short. Our sin creates just too wide of a gap between us and our sinless Creator. It was for this reason that God sent His only Son, Jesus, to be born into our world--to provide payment for our sins on our behalf and a way back into a right relationship with Him. Jesus took the burden of our sins on Himself, then put them to death on the cross. He paid the price for our debt for us because we could never do so on our own. 

For Christians, the Christmas story is about unconditional love, forgiveness, restoration, and hope. We celebrate this joyous season because of “the rest of the story,” and we invite you to join us. 

Merry Christmas! 

Now go forth.