A couple thousand years ago, we received the greatest miracle of all. God Himself was among us, in the flesh, experiencing everything we experience, yet without sin.

As ancient as the story may seem, His presence is with us as much today as it was then, and it's every bit as miraculous today. A holy God loves us and wants us to know Him, wants to be with us every day of our lives. It's incredible.

Merry Christmas!!

The Christmas season brings a lot of traditions along with it. Santa, movies, songs, gifts, trees, decorations, concerts and funny sweaters. But the whole season, the whole story, it's all about God and His love for us.

It's easy to get swept up in the chaos this time of year and forget why we are doing all these things in the first place. But what Christmas celebrates is so much more important than how it is celebrated.

The perception of Christianity, even sometimes from within Christianity, is that Christians are supposed to be perfect, righteous people. We equate God's ability to love and use us to our ability to perform at or close to His expectations.

Maybe that part isn't entirely untrue. The lie might be in what we think His expectations actually are.

God knows everything, so He most certainly knows we are nowhere close to perfect. He is aware of, and prepared for, all of our flaws. And He loves us anyway. And will gladly use us for His kingdom if we are willing.

Ironically, perhaps the only people God can't (or at least won't) use, are the ones who think they are perfect and righteous.