GodReflection: The Ultimate IN Sider.
Wow, that is a long title to begin this week’s post. The focus of Advent Week Three is Jesus’ crucifixion and its eternal place in God’s role of the restoration of mankind and creation with Him—The Creator.
The death of Jesus was the death of all deaths. It split rocks, darkened the earth, caused the temple curtain to rip from top to bottom, raised the dead, and caused his Roman executioners to exclaim “Surely he was the Son of God!” It divided time into B.C. and A.D.
It was because of Jesus’ death that His followers cared for plague victims in the early centuries while non-believers fled from friends and family who contracted disease. Because of his death hundreds of thousands faced hardship to tell the story of the death and resurrection around the globe. Because of the death of all deaths, hospitals and health clinics emerged in distant lands through the sacrifice of many who were affected by this man-God crucified on a hill outside of Jerusalem.
The death of Jesus, His resurrection, and His ascension to the Father, not only makes His death the death of all deaths but His resurrection places the stamp of authenticity on His life as being the gift of all gifts. His ascension declares Jesus as King of Everything. Reality is defined by the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.
During the third week of Advent, the focus is on the meaning life receives because the Son of God was willing to die for me. Jesus’ crucifixion was the Holy’s Advent (entrance) to make the sacrificial gift of all history for my sin and for yours.
His final garden prayer sounds as if He could have called thousands of angels and made a different choice—He didn’t. He agreed to follow the will of God and face a horrific death.
I hate the fact that Jesus had to die—however, I am glad He did. His death meant the gift of all gifts for my life. There was no other way. Perfect God had to united with sinful man through the death of a perfect Godman—Jesus. Had Jesus refused death, I would now be an active member in the army of Satan. That thought alone should send me to my knees offering prayers of thanksgiving to Father, Son, and Spirit.
Over these seven days we can pray for men and women of all nations and of all languages who have yet to kneel before Jesus and receive the power of His death blood to forgive their sins. His crucifixion was for every resident of every nation and every tribe.
Wouldn’t it be worthy of time spent during the Christmas season to envision God and man working together to fill the rivers of the world with people submitting to Jesus by imitating His death, burial, and resurrection, within the waters of baptism? Wouldn’t it be worthy of time spent during the Christmas season to pray that our in Christ family experiences abundant growth?
I find myself with a loss of words to describe my gratitude. What words would you use to thank the God of heaven for the death of all deaths that allows you to be alive in Christ?
So here we are in our traditional celebratory week of Advent that we call Christmas. We find ourselves in global recognition of the Advent of God into his world that we enjoy. It is a good week to say, “Thank you God.” It is a good season to say, “Thank you Jesus.” The gift is one I do not deserve. It is a good time for Thanksgiving. Yes, we call it 
Christmas. It is a good week to say, “Thank you Holy Spirit,” through whom we experience daily the Holy Presence.
Throughout this holiday season, our tree sparkles with lights and ornaments that echo decades of family memories. Designed and presented by little hands of our children during their childhood, the ornaments remind me of my deep gratitude to God for our children—what precious gifts. Christmas is a time of thanksgiving. “Thank you, God, for our children.”
Gifts grace the tree. In Christ the celebration is even more special. The colorful wrapping paper and the bright ribbon bows gleam as we experience the joy of giving and the gratitude of receiving. Abundance seems an apt description of the scene. I receive more than I need. “Thank you, God, for gifts received from caring hearts of those we love most.” We call it Christmas. 
Today as we reflect on God, I encourage all of us to express our gratitude to God for the gift of all gifts. Such gratefulness honors the Advent God who came to earth, was killed by those not unlike us, took our sin upon himself, returned to life, and now reigns over us as King of all Kings. Wow, wouldn’t you agree that is the gift of all gifts and we can only enjoy it to its fullest if we are in Christ. Merry Christmas!
Stay tuned.
Dr. Gary J. Sorrells
A GodReflection on In Christ’s Advent—The Death of All Deaths—The Gift of All Gifts.
God Reflection 
Agreed brother Gary! We owe MUCH, MUCH MORE to JESUS AND HIS FATHER than we could ever dream of paying. Praise God and His Son for the UNSPEAKABLE GIFT of our salvation! In Him, Eddison Fowler
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