We've established what vertical grace is . . . God's giving to us what we do not deserve, what we can never repay. We've also examined horizontal grace-our giving to others. We don't give to reciprocate. We give because we have received grace as a gift from God. That gift motivates us to be people of grace, and where there is grace there must be giving.

There is no way we can remove the idea of giving from the concept of grace. Giving is the essence of grace. God doesn't charge us for His grace; He gives it to us. When we come to Him, by faith in His Son, God doesn't frown and say, "That'll be $2,500, please . . . plus tax!" No, He gives us His forgiveness. He gives us His love. He gives us eternal life with the promise of heaven.

The Searching the Scriptures studies accompany each of our daily broadcasts. These substantive, in-depth, interactive studies based on Chuck Swindoll’s teaching will help you dig deeply into God’s Word on your own.

From Chuck and Cynthia Swindoll and the entire team at Insight for Living, we extend warm Christmas greetings your way. We commend you for joining us! You won't be disappointed because Chuck Swindoll draws our attention today to the miraculous birth of Jesus and the powerful force that pulled worshippers from far and wide to visit their newborn King.

When Jesus Christ appeared on the human stage more than 2,000 years ago, He was like a magnet drawing people to Bethlehem. From the shepherds on the hills to the wise men in the east, people were compelled to meet their newborn King! Today Chuck Swindoll explains how the magnetic force that pulled people toward the manger is still drawing men and women today.

Jesus' birth was no last-minute, hope-it-works plan! Jesus was born exactly where and when God intended. Like a heavenly magnet, God's will was at work, pulling together the events surrounding Christ's birth so that Jesus was born at just the right time, in the right place. Chuck Swindoll reminds us that God sovereignly gets His way, even through the most unexpected circumstances.

The Searching the Scriptures studies accompany each of our daily broadcasts. These substantive, in-depth, interactive studies based on Chuck Swindoll’s teaching will help you dig deeply into God’s Word on your own.

As Chuck Swindoll assures us in this message, God continues to walk into our lives when we least expect Him, and His surprises still bring relief. When we say yes to God's will for our lives, God floods our hearts with relief. And, oh, the joy that God's peace brings to our hearts! Jesus, our Savior, offered perfect peace and contentment that continues to this day.

God has a way of surprising us but then bringing relief in the most remarkable ways. Mary never expected a visit from an angel, but with the surprise came the relief that the Lord was with her. Similarly, the news of Mary's pregnancy jolted Joseph. But relief came through a dream in which an angel assured Joseph that God's plan to save the world was at work.

When you pause to reflect on the story of your life, surely you can identify a few twists in the plot you never saw coming. Those shocking revelations determined your character and tested your confidence in God. Chuck Swindoll draws our attention to one couple's dramatic story and the supernatural intervention that rattles our notion of an idyllic engagement.