"For all of have sinned"

Before our gifts, Dad had this great demonstration of our sin and what Christ does when we have been redeemed.

He had this clean bowl of water--representing man before the fall; pure and clean.

A pepper shaker--representing the fall or sin.

A small amount of soap--representing the finished work of Christ on the Cross.

Blair is not one of many words, but...this really touched my heart with the thought and how the kids really seemed to identify.

He read some scripture from Genesis about God creating Adam and Eve in His image. He then read where the serpent came and tempted Eve and then when they fell to the flesh. He then read to the kids in Romans, "for all have sinned and come short of God's Glory" and that God is Holy and can have no communion with sin. He reminded them of sin's darkness--being black with sin. He asked each of the kids if they are sinners. Each replied they were and he passed the pepper shaker to each one and had them shake in some "sin" into the water.

He then dipped his finger in soap and told them that it represented Christ death, the once for all sacrifice that can cleanse us from our wickedness and remove our black sin. As he touched the water, the pepper scattered and made the water clean.

I didn't know he was doing this; I've never seen this done before, but it was a very practical and effective way to communicate the Gospel. After all...this is Christmas.