A woman walks in the early darkness of a December evening, shoulders stooped against the flurried snow, scarf wrapped against the cold wind, heart weighed down, bowed low by care and sin. The tinsel and lights and lit shop windows wink festively, but her soul cries out silently: “Is there hope?” “Is there healing for my soul condition?” “Is there forgiveness and purpose for me, personally?”

Suddenly, on the wind, the sound of church bells chime. The words of the ancient hymn ring out: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”

“He comes to make His blessings flow // Far as the curse is found, // Far as the curse is found, // Far as, far as, the curse is found.”

“Far as the curse is found!” These words give hope to every longing heart walking in the darkness, struggling against sin, weighed down by human condition.

The high message of Christmas is this: Your sins are fully paid for, by God incarnate. Today! “Behold, now is the time of God’s favor; behold, now is the day of salvation!” (2 Cor. 6:2). No matter how deep the curse of sin runs, in your life, or your family’s life, God has come to redeem it, and has made full satisfaction for it – far as the curse is found.

Every single person who heeds the call of Christ, and receives the Good News, turning from self-idolatry and beholding God in the face of Christ, crying out for mercy like the thief on the cross, will be forgiven. Jesus says that the one who comes to Him humbly will never be cast aside. We are brought into His family by pure grace. God opens our eyes to see our own need – and His divine answer – sometimes through great brokenness or trial, and always in love. And pushing against the lonely wind, we call out to Him, and we are heard.

God raises our hearts from spiritual darkness, granting us the gift of turning – the gift of repentance and faith. He grants us the gift of godly sorrow for personal sin and failure. And, miracle of miracles, as we cry out to Him, as we confess our need and turn away from self-worship, we are forgiven and freed. This is the promise that He makes to us in Christ, and a promise He has demonstrated billions of times, in the hearts of countless sons and daughters of the Light.

In this promise, we are delivered from the curse, and united with the blessing. Darkness is cast out, and light dawns for children of God, growing in power and clarity until that final Day. For individuals and families who have long struggled under the curse of sin – the generational layers of silent pain, control, manipulation, and bondage – this is the pathway of freedom and release.

He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found – FAR AS THE CURSE IS FOUND! Alleluia.

Receive the Good News, friends! May this Christmas be one of light and freedom, for you and your loved ones. Amen.