12/16/2019
We are in the midst of the Christmas season, and there is a great deal of hustle and bustle that goes along with it... are you stressed? Do all of the parties, family obligations, the gift buying, wrapping gifts, and putting up of decorations wear you down to the point where you long for the season to come to an end? Well, if that is true then you, like the secular world, have lost the truth in Christmas, the coming of Jesus; the arrival of the Christ Child. He didn’t come to burden us, but to redeem us, and give us rest, peace, and joy.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 ESV
My wife Ann, and I, have a large family, and over the years we have found the modern celebration of Christmas with all of its gift giving, and the enormity of the celebrations, complete with extensive travel, family feasts, various cultural traditions, parades, church concerts, church dinners, plays, and special services, could overwhelm us to the point where we lost the peace, and rest that Jesus brought with Him into the world. Is this how Christmas impacts your life? Are you missing the peace that the Angel spoke of as he praised God for the birth of His Son? At the end of this modern day “holiday” are you ready to visit a therapist? Well, listen again to the Angel, and take a deep breath.
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"”
Luke 2:13-14 ESV
Have you ever had a long and drawn out disagreement or argument with someone? I have found that the argument doesn’t even have to be very long if it is with someone you love. For instance, a fight between a husband and wife can bring untold stress to their relationship, and tie them both in emotional knots. However, at the end of such an argument, when peace is made, forgiveness comes, and love flourishes once more, there is an incredible sense of rest and peace that flows over them, and heals the wounds. Man’s sin brought with it just such a disagreement between God, who loves man, and man, who longs for his relationship to return to its perfect state of loving with God. The Christ Child brought an end to this argument, and with Him came the peace and rest that all of mankind longed for. Jesus spoke of this often...
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27 ESV
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."”
Matthew 11:29-30 ESV
So, on this day when the Christ Child was born into the world, we aren’t meant to experience stress... but rather the rest that comes with the resolution of a long-standing disagreement. The burden of sin is lifted from us, and the peace of Christ pours out over us, and the world. If we have allowed this to be taken away from us, and replaced with the stresses brought on by black Fridays, cyber Mondays, travel Tuesdays, Christmas card mailing, house decorating competitions, and all of the Hype and secularism meant to hijack Christmas, and give ownership of it to the economy, then the dark one has done his job. On this night peace arrived in full measure, and Mary rested with Jesus held to her breast... the world paused in the splendid peace and the rest of heavenly resolution, and redemption. This is Christmas... this is the wondrous message that the shepherds delivered to Joseph, and Mary.
“And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.”
Luke 2:16-18 ESV
Christmas isn’t a celebration of the three wise men, and the gifts they brought. Christmas is a night of mercy, grace, forgiveness, and God’s Son being born... It is God’s gift of peace, rest, and joy to the world, and the beginning of His Son’s faithful journey towards the Calvary. It is at once the joy of birth, and the realization of a coming death that will seal the chasm between God and man. Are we ready to celebrate the end of the argument by embracing the peace, rest, and joy that comes with this Child? There is still time to reclaim the season.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and the end of sin and death that His arrival brought to the world. Thank you Holy Father for the redemption He brought, and an end to mankind’s imprisonment within the confines of Adam’s disobedience. Thank you for the joy, rest, and peace that we feel now that we are welcomed once more at your table. Help us Lord to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Teach us to see the Christ Child, the Lamb of God, the Dove of Peace, and to take comfort in Him. Give us a resurgence of your rest, peace, and joy, by allowing Him to abide in us, and we in Him. Show us that we are not the Magi, but are your children... your heirs and joint heirs with Jesus. In the midst of this season open our eyes to the fact that we aren’t meant to celebrate the gold, frankincense, and Myrrh, but the birth of your Son, and the redemption through grace that He brings us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loved us so much that you gave your Son for us. Praised be your name for the mercy and grace that you pour out on mankind with every breath that Jesus takes. Great are you who is the peacemaker and has brought an end to the sin and suffering brought in by Adam and Eve through the cleansing blood of Jesus. Hear us this Christmas season Father as we sing of the coming Christ, and call out to Him once again... “Come, Lord Jesus!”
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV
Rich Forbes