The God Who Pursues
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” - Luke 19:10
Christmas Day is a reminder of something many people never realize. You are not the one who took the first step toward God. He took the first step toward you. Long before you ever prayed a prayer, opened a Bible, or walked into a church, God was already moving toward your life with purpose and love. From the very beginning of Scripture to the very last chapter, the story is the same. God pursues His people.
In Genesis, when Adam and Eve hid in shame, God came walking through the garden calling their names. He did not wait for them to find Him. He searched for them. Throughout the Old Testament, God continually reached out to a people who wandered, struggled, and ran. He sent prophets, leaders, and miracles, not because they were faithful, but because He was. Over and over again, He showed that His heart has always been for relationship, not distance.
Then came the moment that changed history. On the first Christmas, God stepped into humanity in the most personal way. Jesus did not come as a distant king or a silent observer. He came as Immanuel, God with us. He entered our world to seek us, rescue us, and bring us home. The manger was not just a birth scene. It was a declaration that God would stop at nothing to reach His people.
This Christmas Day, you need to know that truth is still alive. God has been pursuing you every day of your life. He has chased you through seasons of doubt, disappointment, and distraction. He has met you in moments when you thought you were alone. He has placed people, words, and opportunities in front of you to draw your heart closer. You are not an accident to Him. You are not overlooked. You are loved by a God who comes near.
So as you celebrate today, remember the heart of Christmas. You are not reaching for a God who is far away. You are responding to a God who has already come close. The God who pursued shepherds, seekers, and sinners is the same God pursuing you right now. Let His presence meet you today. Let His love surround you. Christmas is proof that He came looking for you!
Christmas Day is a reminder of something many people never realize. You are not the one who took the first step toward God. He took the first step toward you. Long before you ever prayed a prayer, opened a Bible, or walked into a church, God was already moving toward your life with purpose and love. From the very beginning of Scripture to the very last chapter, the story is the same. God pursues His people.
In Genesis, when Adam and Eve hid in shame, God came walking through the garden calling their names. He did not wait for them to find Him. He searched for them. Throughout the Old Testament, God continually reached out to a people who wandered, struggled, and ran. He sent prophets, leaders, and miracles, not because they were faithful, but because He was. Over and over again, He showed that His heart has always been for relationship, not distance.
Then came the moment that changed history. On the first Christmas, God stepped into humanity in the most personal way. Jesus did not come as a distant king or a silent observer. He came as Immanuel, God with us. He entered our world to seek us, rescue us, and bring us home. The manger was not just a birth scene. It was a declaration that God would stop at nothing to reach His people.
This Christmas Day, you need to know that truth is still alive. God has been pursuing you every day of your life. He has chased you through seasons of doubt, disappointment, and distraction. He has met you in moments when you thought you were alone. He has placed people, words, and opportunities in front of you to draw your heart closer. You are not an accident to Him. You are not overlooked. You are loved by a God who comes near.
So as you celebrate today, remember the heart of Christmas. You are not reaching for a God who is far away. You are responding to a God who has already come close. The God who pursued shepherds, seekers, and sinners is the same God pursuing you right now. Let His presence meet you today. Let His love surround you. Christmas is proof that He came looking for you!
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5 Comments
Amen Pastor Ed! Thank you Jesus for everything we have
What a great word Pastor. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
The BEST gift is not one under the Christmas tree. It's one that we get to open up every single day when we wake up - the gift of eternal life with Jesus!! Christmas Day is a celebration and remembrance of '"the moment He stepped out of eternity and into a cradle", "stepped into our story so we could know Him not as an idea, but as a Savior who understands every part of life". He came then to walk with us (just think ... He had to crawl first - just like all of us) and He has never stopped pursuing us. Pastor Ed, who knew you were such an inspired writer?
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nMERRY CHRISTMAS to my sisters and brothers in Christ!
Yes! Thank you for sharing this. I cannot wait to read it to the family this afternoon before we open gifts.
Jesus is the reason for Christmas even though He was actually born in June I think. But it just sounds better in December the last month of the year to give you hope for the year to come. Merry Christmas Dr./PaStor Ed Newton and family