Cleansing from Sin

Today I read Leviticus 16:11-18:12 and Luke 2:1-40. My favorite verses are:

Leviticus 16:30 For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Under the Old Covenant, the priest had to cleanse himself then go into the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for the sins of the nation of Israel. He made atonement for them before God, and they were clean from all their sins. This was done once each year at an appointed time. The forgiveness of sins was temporary; many sacrifices had to be made throughout the year by the people to keep them “clean”. When Christ the Lord was born in Bethlehem, the angels told the shepherds that a Saviour had been born. This Saviour would offer Himself as a sacrifice ONCE for all time to cleanse all the people who accept Him from all their sins forever. A New Covenant came into effect. We do continue to sin day by day, but we do not have to make continual sacrifices. We simply confess our sins before God and ask for His forgiveness; and it is granted because we are His children saved by the blood of His Son, our Saviour. What a Great and Merciful God He is to have made such a provision for us!