 Christmas isn't over. Not by a long shot. Christmas never ends, because it changed the world forever. It changed eternity forever. And it can change our lives forever. Not only where we spend eternity, but how we live today, tomorrow, and 2023.
All of us were separated from God by our sin -- Jesus Christ was born to bridge that gap. He threw open heaven’s doors to whoever believes in Jesus as Lord and Savior. As Revelation tells us, He stands at our heart’s door and knocks waiting for us to invite Him in. Living with Christ is practical -- He is the answer to building good relationships and maintaining day to day balance. It is purposeful -- God has entrusted us with an eternal mission. And life with Jesus is peaceful -- He is in charge, we are not, and we rest in the safety of His love. Today is the day to invite Jesus into your life to have His way more fully and pray that many (especially those you know) will grasp the wonder of Christ this Christmas and be changed forever.  Mary and Joseph delivered Jesus in a stranger’s barn. They were poor and far from home. Jesus first bed was a feedbox not a cradle, and His nursery was shared with multiple other species. But these problems didn’t prove God wasn’t paying attention. Not at all. This was God entering into the suffering of His world. Angels watched in wonder and roused a heard of clueless shepherds. Kings came and knelt on the ground grateful just to see His face. The glory of God was there amidst the trials of that first Christmas. Emmanuel.
God is with us still. This carol follows an oft repeated pattern in Christian hymnology. The final verse drives home the truth about our own mortality and the temporary nature of mankind. Time is coming to a close; then will Christ usher in God’s perfection and banish all semblance of evil. Believing the truth about death and the conclusion of humanity is our faith's crowing jewel: Hope. May Hope be yours this Christmas season and may the fullness and sweetness of these special days fill you with anticipation for the days when we will see Him again face to face. Merry Christmas Everyone! All those Christmas angels saw creation unfold. They actually looked on as God threw stars into space with the power of His Word and pulled man out of the dust. They witnessed Satan’s temptation of Eve, and they heard God’s punishment for Adam and Eve’s sin. No doubt they mourned as sin corrupted and destroyed God’s beautiful world, and maybe they even wondered, “God? Are they worth it?” But that first Christmas, the same angels broke out in praise, like they had at creation, because they saw God (again!) doing something amazing! Christmas sometimes becomes dull to those of us who crave new insight or interesting point of contemplation. Occasionally, we see the Star in the East and become enamored with the Star instead of enthralled with the King. The truth is, the star is just a trinket -- the King is infinitely more intriguing. Right now is the perfect time to approach God and ask for Him set your eyes firmly on His Son this Christmas.  All of ancient history looked forward to it, and all of modern humanity looks back on it. We see Christ’s birth as the beginning of God’s staggering sacrifice to redeem men from their rebellion. By our own sinful choices we were God’s enemies. Yet God was determined to reconcile us to Himself by healing the breach between us in the person of Jesus. But when did the story of redemption truly start? Many would argue it began when the morning stars sang together and the angels shouted for joy (Job 38:7). When God, knowing humanity would refuse His Lordship, chose to speak us into existence anyway. Christmas is a yearly celebration of God, His never-failing faithfulness, His limitless love, His boundless wisdom, His perfect humility, and you can keep going. What particular characteristic of God do you want to focus in on this holiday season?  Many modern ears have never heard the Christmas carol, "In the Bleak Midwinter". The first verse is enough to make anyone shiver with visions of frost, snow, and ice-cold stones. And the middle verses are rarely sung even by those familiar with the Old English hymn. But those middle verses, unlike most Christmas songs, highlight Christ's Godhood. Our Savior heaven and earth cannot contain. Our Lord diligently attended by rank upon rank of angels. Our King Creator of time itself. The advent did not negate Jesus' transcendence (other-ness), only highlighted His immanence. Emmanual: God with Us. Christ's birth didn't remove the angel's worship, but rather allowed us a glimpse His true majesty. Lord of Hosts: Commander of Heaven's Armies. And that night in Bethlehem was not the climax of the story. The final chapter awaits when Bethlehem's Infant King -- once confined to human time and space by His own will -- will return in His rightful splendor for His crown, His throne, and His own. Our Christmas celebration doesn't stop at the beginning. We look toward the end and rejoice! The King is coming again!  |
The AuthorCome with me as we grow in fellowship with each other and our Savior to whom belongs the Amazing Escape from sin and death and the Amazing Journey into glorious life. Archives
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