There has been
born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.[1]
EPISTLE TO THE READER
Cultural Christians celebrate Christmas without Christ. They have read the story of Christ’s birth
and they understand the season. They appreciate the holiday from work or school
and they welcome the good cheer. Nevertheless,
they have no personal relationship with Jesus.
The season of Christ’s birth has become more of a “man-mas”
than a “Christ-mas.” Gold, frankincense,
myrrh, busyness and stress have replaced the simplicity of a peasant’s womb, an
unadorned manger, and God’s holy Son cloaked in humble humanity so that you
might be draped in His gown of righteousness.
The God who resided in a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day
determined to tabernacle in the flesh of His people.
Jesus’ incarnation fulfilled Scripture and humanized
godliness. He is the Seed of the woman
(Eve). Jesus is the One descended from a
particular nation (Jews), a particular tribe (Judah), a particular family
(David), a particular mother (Virgin), and in a particular place (Bethlehem
Ephrathah).
While the world slumbers in its sleep, you approach Bethlehem deliberately,
expectantly and humbly. Bare cupboards
and empty pockets cannot keep you from your Lord Christ.
WHEREAS,
there was a night like no other, and a child like no other; and
WHEREAS,
God did bespeak His desire to have you good gentlefolk attend to the tidings of
His Son; and
NOW, THEREFORE, GOD
SPEED you in your pursuit of
the Holy of Holies.
O come, let us adore Him … We’ll praise His name forever…
We’ll give Him
all the glory … For He alone is worthy … Christ the Lord.[2]
Though Christians think of Christmas as a peaceful time, it
was birthed in conflict. Christmas began
in Eden with God’s
promise to Satan that One coming from Eve would be the devil’s demise.[3] The record provided by the sacred chroniclers
of Christmas’ foretelling and happening is an immense understatement.
The God of all creation, moved by holy mercy that births unconditional
compassion, sent Himself (Immanuel) to a people who refused to receive Him.[4] Abraham rejoiced to see His day and he saw it
and was glad – Moses esteemed Christ’s reproach as greater riches than the
treasures of Egypt – Job knew that his Redeemer did live and at the last He
would take His stand on the earth.[5] Immanuel, whose former condition was
glorious, came amidst the censure of your world.[6]
The decree of the pagan King Augustus moved Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem in Judea where the prophecy of the ages would be
fulfilled. The world that was taxed with
death would now be blessed with the only One able to remove the death-tax. God did what man could not do and He
accomplished His desires in ways designed to confound man’s imaginings.
No birth has ever been more humble yet glorious. Consider a new star, myriads of angels
declaring their hosannas, and wise men attending Jesus’ early childhood. Simeon’s gnarled and spotted hands held
eternity’s rest and peace. Anna offered
thanksgivings to her God and spoke of Immanuel to all who were interested in
being redeemed.
The Church was not ready for Christ’s first advent. Humanity will not be ready for His final
advent.
What is Christmas for you?
Family parties, clusters of ceiling-hung mistletoe tempting you,
caroling, gifts, hearths with blazing fires and feasting on the finest meats,
the freshest breads and the plumiest puddings.
Perhaps remembrances of your first bicycle, your prettiest doll or your
favorite baseball glove capture your mind, or laughing about weddings and
crying about funerals.
Christmas affects people in varied ways. O. Henry’s wife sold her beautiful hair to
buy her husband a watch fob, while he sold his watch to buy her an expensive
comb. Christmas is the season when
giving affects the giver more than the receiver because he realizes that God
gave what cannot be wrapped in green and red paper – God’s gift, Immanuel, was
wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Christ’s teaching has influenced more people than all the
potentates, parliaments and presidents the world has known. For you, Christmas is a day of hope when
Christ reclaims the center of life, the schedules of men and hearts of the
godly. Mary declared, “My soul exalts
the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”[7] Your soul also magnifies your Lord. Though you cannot improve God’s awesomeness,
you do recognize, appreciate and practice His glory.
WHAT IF a long time ago
in a land far, far away, a promise was made to the people who walk in darkness
that they would see a great light, and to those who live in a dark land that
light would shine on them?
WHAT IF a long time ago
in a land far, far away, a promise was made to a burdened people that the yoke
of their burden, the staff on their shoulders and the rod of their oppressors
would be broken?
WHAT IF a long time ago
in a land far, far away, a Child was born?
WHAT IF a long time ago
in a land far, far away, a Son was given?
WHAT IF a long time ago
in a land far, far away, the government of your life rested on the shoulders of
this Son who was given?
WHAT IF a long time ago
in a land far, far away, the name of this Child who was born was called
Wonderful Counselor?
WHAT IF a long time ago
in a land far, far away, the name of this Son who was given was called Mighty
God?
WHAT IF a long time ago
in a land far, far away, the name of this Child who was born was called Eternal
Father?
WHAT IF a long time ago
in a land far, far away, the name of this Son who was given was called Prince of
Peace?
WHAT IF a long time ago
in a land far, far away, you were promised there would be no end to the
increase of His government or of His peace?
WHAT IF a long time ago
in a land far, far away, these promises and these occurrences were all accomplished
for you?
When the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His
Son, born of a woman,
born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those
who were under the Law,
that we might receive the adoption as sons.[8]
EPILOGUE
During your life, you receive few glimpses into heaven. God leaves much to your study of
Scripture. Nonetheless, earth was
allowed to pierce the heavenly veil when “suddenly there appeared with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’”[9]
Your Lord’s company of angels praised God and their praises
have been shouted down to humanity throughout the ages. This angelic doxology was paralleled nearly
three decades later when Jerusalem’s multitudes praised this same Jesus
singing, “Hosanna to the son of David; blessed is He who comes in the name of
the Lord; hosanna in the highest!”[10]
The praises to God offered in the earth’s hearing bear a
unique blessing. The multitude of the
heavenly host announced that peace would be the commonwealth of those “with
whom He is pleased.” The question of the
ages is: “Who pleases God?”
Most people search for a better job, a better spouse, better
children, better friends, and the list continues. Nevertheless, you will not. Your desire is to please God so you daily
pray for a God-shaped conformity to the image of Christ. You desire a resemblance to Simeon, Anna, and
Joseph of Arimathea.[11] Christmas is your season for recapturing the
Christlikeness you have forfeited amidst the press of life.
During this season of your life, may your Lord Christ bless
you and keep you; make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; lift up
His countenance on you, and give you peace.[12]
PRAYER OF CHRISTIAN CONSECRATION
God, You are the Holy One of Israel. You alone have made glorious Zebulun,
Naphtali and Galilee of the Gentiles. In
Your Light I see light.
I confess I am a person who walks in darkness and I live in
a dark land. I have rejected the
increase of Your government and of Your peace in my life. I have mocked the throne of David with my
feeble practice of Christianity and confess that the zeal of the Lord of hosts
has not become my own.
I live in a land knowing no scarceness except the scarceness
of holiness. Strangers to the
commonwealth of heaven, those ungraced with Christ, have yoked their lives with
ruin. Cause Your goodness to pass before
me in order for me to witness Your holy glory.
Make me an uncommon vessel – uncommon because Christ perfumes my walk.
Will You increase my gladness by bringing me into Your
presence? Break the yoke of my burdens –
remove the staff from my shoulders – spare the rod that scourges my back – free
me from my love for this present darkness.
Fragrance me now with trusting eyes that I may more fully harness and
practice the Lordship of my Immanuel Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen and Amen.
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