Though He may appear lowly in His Bethlehem birthplace, Jesus is true God, Creator of all things, whose goings forth have been from everlasting. It is He of whom the apostle John writes: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Of Himself Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am.” And to the Father He prayed, “And now, O Father, glorify Thou me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.”
What a thrill for us it is to know that the Lord, who possessed all power and glory in heaven, came down from heaven and in humilty became a true Man in order to be our Savior!
A small number of believers welcomed the arrival of the Christ. Along with Mary and Joseph, we can count Elizabeth and Zacharias, the shepherds, and Simeon and Anna. Some time later, after Joseph moved his family into a house, the Wise Men came.
What was it that drew these people to Jesus? The nativity scene is depicted in picture and song in lovely ways, but there was nothing about the sight which merited more than a passing glance, let alone worship and praise. “He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him” (Is. 53:2).
Making The Word Connection
What moved those believers to place their entire hope in this Child is that which moves us to do the very same thing: it was the Word that God connected with this Child! Here was the Christ through whom the power of Satan would be crushed. The wounds and stripes afflicted upon Him would result in our spiritual healing. And we have heard from the very lips of the Messiah Himself, that those who believe in Him shall never die, and that He shall return one day to receive us into His Father’s house.
Amid all of the decorating, baking, and singing of carols, how many people are making the connection between the birth of Christ and the redemption of their souls from eternal ruin?
There are all kinds of reasons people offer for celebrating at this time of year, but it seems that few truly know or care about the real reason for celebration. Again, it is the Word connection with this season that gives us cause to celebrate, and that Word takes us from the manger to a place called Calvary where the Just One suffered for the unjust ones. His words “it is finished” assure us that nothing was left undone.
Christmas is about how Christ came to offer His life to save us from damnation in hell to a place reserved in heaven for eternity. Everything else is just tinsel.
Though those who greet Him and worship Him in truth may be few in number, merely a remnant, Micah gives them good reason not to fear. It is because the Lord shall stand, and He shall rule in strength and majesty so that His flock may abide.
This Child gives us comfort and joy, life and peace. These Christmas gifts are always a perfect fit!
–Pastor Delwyn Maas