12/25/2024
One Christmas Eve morning, a weather front moved into Nashville in the wee hours before dawn. As is my custom, I was already awake and praying when the rain began to fall by the buckets full. Then, while listening to the wind and the sound of the rain beating on the awning over our deck, I was overcome by my thoughts of Christmas and the way that Jesus Christ came to wash us clean of sin.
Sometimes we look at rain as an inconvenience, or when driving we view it as a danger. Perhaps there are those who see the coming of Christ in the same way. His life might be a reminder of our unworthiness, or need for forgiveness, and in this way be construed as an inconvenient truth. Or, in His own words...
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 14:6 KJV
He might represent danger for those reluctant to embrace Him. After all, following Jesus is not an easy endeavor. He tells us as much in scripture:
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV
His life was an act of love and our acceptance of Him should be the same. He didn't come into this world to judge, but to save, and His arms are outstretched to all...
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Revelation 3:20 KJV
Yes, Christmas is a day of immense significance and momentous importance to all of mankind. It represents a new beginning for every one of us, and the absolute love of our Heavenly Father and His Son; all we must do is acknowledge the true identity of the tiny baby born in Bethlehem, pick up our cross, and follow in His way.
On that rainy Christmas morning while listening to the deluge outside, I couldn't help but imagine the scene in Bethlehem as the blood and waters of birth rushed forth and brought with them the Christ Child, and I rejoiced then, as now, in knowing it was the precursor of great suffering and amazing redemption. Then my mind wandered to the Jordan River, and I imagined John the Baptist lifting Jesus from the waters of baptism and God proclaiming...
“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17 KJV
Then finally, I envisioned the cross where in His final moments blood and water were important once again...
“But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”
John 19:34 KJV
So the rain came down in Nashville and a city's streets and gutters were washed clean, while I sat in prayer and thanked God for His Son who came to cleanse the world. I thought of water; I thought of blood; but most of all I thought of a child who was born to a virgin; a baby that embodied the fullness of God and came to us (even as scripture says) by water, blood, and most of all love.
“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.”
1 John 5:6 KJV
Please Pray with me now:
Thank you, Father, for the love you have for the world; a love so complete that you would offer up your own son to live, suffer, and die to consummate it. Father, I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who was born into this sinful world that we might be forgiven. I thank you for the water and blood of childbirth that brought Him into this world just as all children continue to come; and yet, bringing within His humanity the hope of all mankind. Lord, I thank you for that selfsame water and blood that flowed from Him on the cross as He gave up His life for me, and I thank you for His picking that life back up again. His amazing life began on that first Christmas day, and even as it represents a difficult way to travel, I cling to Him and the promise embodied within Him. Dear God stand by me, even as you stood by your Son, and lead me through the power of your Holy Word, and Spirit. Help me as I worship you in Spirit and truth while immersed in His Holy blood and water. Let me, as I follow Jesus through His teaching and the blood and water of His life, come into your presence. Hear me now as I praise your Son and celebrate His birth. Hear my prayer today as I kneel before you and Jesus intercedes for me once again.
“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.[”
Romans 8:34 ESV
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 2:11-14 ESV
Rich Forbes