As we enter the holiday season, we are reminded of two important arenas of our life: thankfulness and new birth. Thankfulness is a choice. New birth is a gift. My hope is that you will be thankful for the gift of the new birth which is found only in Jesus.

Like you, I have been affected by the devastating loss of life related to COVID-19. And, like you, I pray this virus will be eradicated. One aspect of life that will never change is physical death. This is why new birth is so important. Earlier I wrote that new birth is a gift. It is a gift from God. The new birth given from God began with the supernatural birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. We celebrate His birth each December 25. The new birth given by God culminates in the cross and resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Through those two events God demonstrates His love for us where God demonstrates His power over not only life but also death. It is in these two events we learn of our great need for new birth. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Nicodemus asked a question that we might ask, “How can a man be born when he is old?” (John 3:4). We can understand the confusion on the part of Nicodemus. He was thinking about physical birth, but Jesus was teaching about being born again spiritually.

The good news of the Gospel is the message of new birth that is found in Jesus alone. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says, For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Two groups emerge here: the perishing and those being saved. The perishing reject the cross and remain spiritually dead in their sin. Those being saved believe the foolishness of the cross and are saved from the punishment of their sin.

Our world struggles to hold onto a life that eventually will be lost. Through the cross of Jesus, God has offered new life through His death. I hope you are thankful for the new birth you have through Jesus.