Christmas is so close, and I am PUMPED. I love this time of year because I get to spend time with those I love. It is straight up awesomesauce. But…

…that is not why we celebrate this day at all.

I am not sure if it comes from being a Christian for so long, or the fact that the Bible was written so long ago, but somewhere along the way the stories of the Bible became just that: stories. We (I) have become disconnected from and desensitized to the tough reality of the truth they bear.

Right now, I want you fight this disconnect.

Think about someone who means the world to you. It could be your brother, sister, mom, dad, or best friend. This person is someone who you care tremendously for and who cares tremendously for you. Really picture this person.

Now, think about some of the mistakes you have made this far in your life. There are too many to think about, right? Add this to the fact that you are going to make countless more in the future. How could we ever deserve heaven?

Think (I mean really think) about your beloved person willingly experiencing tremendous torment, torture, and ultimately a brutal death for you so that the stain of your sins would be wiped clean. They suffered because of the love they have for you. They chose this utterly selfless act so that you could have HOPE not only to get through this life here on earth, but also so you could have the hope of heaven!

The person you thought about, the one that means so much to you, is not perfect, yet just thinking about them taking the punishment you deserve is utterly heartbreaking. However, Christ is perfect and CHOSE to endure the unthinkable for US. He chose to bear the weight of each and every sin we have and will commit on His back, so we would be able to have the hope we could never deserve. He chose to take the punishment for the sins a girl would commit two thousand years later, so she could have hope.

December 25th marks the beginning of the fiercest act of love to ever occur.

Fight the disconnect, and thank God for His endless love.

XOXO,

Cat