A

  ABUNDANT PURPOSE

The thief does not come except to

steal, and to kill and to destroy.

I have come that they may have

life, and that they may have it 

more abundantly.

John 10:10

Any couple who has welcomed their first baby into the world has big dreams for that child.  For some time, they concentrate very much on baby ways....cuteness, growth, cooing just right and even maybe some future dreams for that baby.  There isn't much to go on when there isn't alot about that baby parents know regarding personality, talents, education capabilities, etc.  

I say those things because amid the special excitement Mary and Joseph must have felt with their coming Baby, I'm sure they dreamed dreams for Him like any parents would.  They were well aware their situation was different from others, but when Jesus was born, in those moments, he was a flesh and blood Baby.  When He was born He had the very same needs any baby would have.  He had to be cared for like any baby.  We celebrate this special Baby this time of year and rightly so.  His parents didn't know ahead of time what we have come to know about Jesus.  We've been able to see Him an adult, in the Word.

 That sweet Baby was to have quite a future.  God knew all about it and I'm sure Jesus did in His early years.  As a mom myself, I wish I could have known more about His growing up years.  We mom's are interested in things like that.  We just know He came to adulthood with an earthly, yet Heavenly, purpose.

Even during this Christmas season, I've been reviewing in my mind some of Jesus'

statements of purpose in His life.  Down through time, His purpose became our salvation and full life.  Jesus was quick to tell people who He was and used great examples in getting His purpose across to others in terms any of us can appreciate.

 I love the above verse as Jesus spoke of some of the dregs of society and even considering them and their low lives, He made clear how He had come for them.  The verse prior to the above one, Jesus begins by saying simply that "I am the door."  We can read a series of I AM'S Jesus stated during His ministry, all lindicating what He intended to be in the lives of others...door, shepherd, vine, way, truth, life, etc.  I guess what I'm saying is while I love this time of year...and there had to be an earthly beginning...He came with such purpose.  In it all, He became and is our Savior, our present in abundance and our future with Himself.

It was a Silent Night, Holy Night, but thankfully there is another song we sing now  ...Christ the Lord is Risen Today.

Father, thank You for Your precious gift of Jesus.  We can't imagine this gift from a Father's heart to a sin occupied world.  We can't thank You enough for loving us

that much and for Your love extended in and through Jesus who gave Himself for each of us.  Praying in that precious name, Jesus....Amen