12/23/2020
Christmas Day is but two days away, and when it arrives we will celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, but as we lift Him up in joyous song we should never forget why He was sent to us. All stories have a beginning, and are meant to have an end, the redemption story of our savior Jesus is no different. So as we celebrate the child being born to a virgin, we need to keep in mind His ministry, the empty tomb, and the second coming that we are still longing for.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6 ESV
Jesus was born into this world just as each of us was born, and He walked through life facing all its trials, just as we do, yet He resisted temptation, and was excellent, pure, and blameless; He was glorious, righteous, and worthy of all praise. In Him His Father expressed His pleasure...
“and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.””
Matthew 3:17 ESV
But we are not thrilled on Christmas morning because a virgin gave birth, although that is miraculous. We are not awe struck because a perfect child was born of God, because how could He have been born otherwise. And we are not staring at Him in wonder because of the miracles He performed... no, we lift Him up and celebrate His birth because He loves us, was willing to take on our sin, and defeated it at Calvary, because he died, and rose from the dead, because He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, but most of all because He will return for us, claim us as His bride, and by his grace make us righteous, and welcome us home to eternal peace, joy, and life everlasting with our Father God.
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
Philippians 1:9-11 ESV
So in two days time we will be singing softly to the Christ Child, and seeing the reflection of God in His eyes as He squints back at us, coos, and makes the other sweet noises of a human child. We will see more than God, or the man His son has become... we will see the perfect union of heaven and earth, come together in loving mercy and grace for the redemption of each of us. From our vantage point in time we now see everything from the beginning of the story in God’s love for the world to the promise of His Son’s return when He will bring us home in righteousness to the Father at last.
“For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.”
Ephesians 2:18-21 ESV
The Story of the Messiah, the Christ, Emmanuel, and Jesus the Child of God, is a story awaiting its closing chapter, and to come to an end as all stories do, but for those of us who believe, and pursue righteousness through a faith in Jesus Christ it will end with the words “And they all lived happily ever after”, truly becoming for us a never ending story of love... God, Man, and Son.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving us as you do, for sending your Son to be born of the virgin, and thus beginning in earnest our story of salvation, and redemption from sin. Thank you for the glory in moments like the one following the baptism of Jesus, the wonder with which we watched Him perform miracles, the horror we saw unfold in His passion, crucifixion, and death, but most of all for the awe of His resurrection, ascension, and the promise of His return. Help us Holy Father to love you more, and to love Jesus, in all of His manifestations... from creator, to loving Son, tiny baby, child, man, and to obedient Messiah, and Christ. Keep us ever vigilant Lord as we wait for Him to become the Husband of the Church, and Shepherd us to you. Holy, Holy, Holy are you our God who never lost your love for us, and who provided Jesus as our unwavering promise, hope, and redeemer. Praised be your name for this, the Gospel of Christ, our promise of salvation, and return to you. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, and prepare us for that moment when He will return to claim His bride... welcoming us to the joy, and peace of an eternal life of happiness in your presence. Hear our voices this Christmas season, and know our hearts as we celebrate on Christmas Day; lifting up the child, and remembering the life of this your Son... our Loving Savior.
Rich Forbes