In the Apostle Paul’s letter to Titus, we find the following encouragement regarding the practical implications of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Like the most spectacular Christmas sunrise, Christ’s first coming shed the light of the grace of God’s salvation in a sin-darkened world.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:11-14)

Charles Spurgeon commented on how we currently live between the two advents of Christ:

“To use an ecclesiastical term, we stand between two Epiphanies: the first is the manifestation of the Son of God in human flesh in dishonor and weakness; the second is the manifestation of the same Son of God in all his power and glory…We have everything to hope for in the last appearing, and we have now to wait with patient hope throughout that weary interval which intervenes….In this description of our position is the very best argument for a holy life.”

May this Christmas celebration give us gratitude for God’s grace and motivation for our sanctification!