Many people are turned away from Jesus because their view of Christianity is condemnation. They do no want to follow a grumpy God who frowns at their lifestyle. Where would they get this idea? They get this idea from the example of Christ and God from others. When someone who has an attitude and displays behaviors that are not the fruit of the Spirit, then walks around condemning everyone for their sin, they are revealing to others this is who God is.
Condemnation is the act of condemning someone to punishment. Does this sound like Jesus to you? If it does, the first Christmas is meaningless. If Jesus had come into the world to condemn us, then there is no hope for sinners. Thanks be to God Almighty this is not true!
Christmas is the coming of the Son of God into the world so that we might not be condemned. Jesus pulls us out of our condemnation and gives us new life in the gospel! Jesus came to save us from our sin when there was no hope. Jesus died on the cross for our salvation and not our condemnation. All who put their faith in Jesus are not condemned but are saved according to the kindness of the Father who sent Him!
Christmas is the proclamation of good news to those who need a Savior!
Ponder: do you normally view God as someone who saves or condemns?
It Starts Small 
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