As we draw closer to Christmas, we remember the birth of our Lord Jesus when God sent his Son to save the world. December 25th is a day we traditionally recognize Jesus’ birth but there is no written record that shows December 25th is Jesus’ birthday. So, December 25th is not a holy day the holiness is remembering the birth of Jesus when God by his grace sent his Son to save the world while we were still sinners.

The world does not see Christmas this way because they do not know or accept the gospel of Jesus. Christians should be thankfully to God for the gift of his Son who promises to give us eternal life.

Paul teaches that God gave his grace at his favor.

2 Corinthians 6: 1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.

At God’s favor he heard the prayers of those seeking his salvation and sent his Son to save them.

The day of salvation began the moment of Jesus’ birth, so we are in the time of God’s favor to share the gospel that keep those who believe to repent and not perish.

Paul warns us not to put stumbling blocks in front of God’s grace by teaching the need to do works to be saved which would be useless.

God has set a day for his salvation to end day and bring his judgment to condemn all who refuse to believe in his Son.

Revelations tell us when the day of salvation will end.

Revelations 6: 9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

The day of salvation ends when the number of saints set by God are martyred by the anti-Christ is completed. These martyred saints by the anti-Christ are the ones who will be with Christ in his millennium reign on earth.

Revelations 20: 4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Those who have fallen asleep in Christ before being martyred will be gathered by the angels Jesus sends to bring them home to his Father in heaven.

Paul teaches who God commends as his servant.

2 Corinthians 6: 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;

Jesus they are the kind of servants that will be blessed by his Father.

Matthew 5: 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

These commendable servants will be able to withstand the persecution and be will to die for Christ when the anti-Christ comes.

Paul teaches how a servant of God will respond when persecuted for his Son.

2 Corinthians 6: 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;

They will bear the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatian, and have the love described in 1 Corinthians 13 in times of persecution.

Paul teaches that God’s servants will remain steadfast in the good or bad times by being devoted to love God.

2 Corinthians 6: 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Paul showed the love of Christ to the church like a father shows his children, but the church did not show their love towards Paul.

2 Corinthians 6: 11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also.

Jesus opened his heart wide to us and never withheld his affection from us. If you love Jesus because of his undying love for you, you need to show your love to him by obeying his teachings and commandments.

Christmas is Jesus’ birthday; the day God’s grace came to save us so that those who believe in his Son can receive his gift of eternal life.

We are in this time of Salvation to share and live the gospel and have our faith tested for it so that we can mature and be ready to overcome persecution to show we are not ashamed of Jesus’ name.

Your brother in Christ, Glenn.