Today is Christmas day. Historically, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ who entered into this world as a baby. This celebration is one that acknowledges that God Himself—embodied the very human nature that we possess—in order that we may be saved.
As I reflect on Christmas and its true meaning, I am humbled by the reality that Christ’s birth is the introduction of the gospel. The gospel is the beautiful love relationship between God and a broken, shattered, frail, mortal, pain-ridden, humanity. Those who have experienced any sort of life are well aware of how much pain and brokenness exists in our lives. In the midst of it all, how could God meet us exactly where we are at?
The answer: Christmas day. In the West, this day is mostly focused on the revealing of gifts that sit underneath the Christmas tree (this is not a bad thing, it is just not THE thing). And in the participation of this tradition, many neglect the reason why we even celebrate a day such as today. Today is the day of Salvation (2 Cor. 6:2). Today is the day the newborn King is celebrated. Today is a day of hope, meaning, and purpose. Today we celebrate the incarnation of the Son of God—who entered into the brokenness and pain of the world—in order to redeem humanity back to it’s first love, God the Father Almighty, who was and is and is to come (Revelation 1:8).
So today, let us not be consumed with the obsession of the giving of gifts as much as receiving the gift of grace and love that is found in the Lord Jesus. True life has been offered for us in Christ Jesus, the Son of God, born in a manger. This life is given to us freely as a gift, so that in Christ, we may receive Salvation. This free gift offers to us the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ Jesus, who is our Lord and our Salvation. Rest in the grace of the Lamb of God, who embodied humanity, so that we may live in Him forever. Merry Christmas!
Grace and peace