December 25th marks the day we celebrate Jesus Christ’s birthday. My son asked if Jesus is 2,008 years old this year (out of the mouths of babes). The bible tells us that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning”1 and a few verses later that “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”2 So Jesus has always existed but this year we will celebrate the 2,008th birthday of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the day that the eternal God put on human flesh and came down to us, being born in a manger over two thousand years ago. “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”3 God left His throne in Heaven to come down to us and was born in a manger. A manger? The God who created everything humbled Himself and was born in a manger because there was no room for God in the inn.
No room for God, oh how often is that the case with us? Thanks for coming God but there is no room in my life for you, why don’t you just go wait over there. Is your life too full for God to have a place to stay in you? Is Christmas too full for Jesus to have a place in it? Christmas is a day of celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ. He came to us! His birthday and yet He was the gift. The bible says “but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”4 Don’t be afraid there is good news, a great joy, a savior –the long awaited messiah- and this gift is for everyone. The gift is for all who will receive it, but you have to open the gift to have it. What good is a wrapped gift sitting in the corner collecting dust? Sure it may look nice over there and maybe that is what you want from God. You like to look at the wrapped gift He has given you but there is no room to open it in your life right now so you will keep it under wraps. That’s insane! You have to open the gift to enjoy it, to use it.
This Christmas let us celebrate the birthday of all birthdays; the birthday of Jesus Christ leaving Heaven and dwelling among us to redeem us. While you are exchanging gifts this year with one another don’t forget whose day it is and the meaning behind it. And don’t forget to give Jesus a gift this year. After all it is His birthday, isn’t He the one who should be getting presents? I say we should all write down something we are going to give to God this year. Maybe it’s something that is holding you back from fully devoting your life to Him. Perhaps it is the forgiveness of someone who has wronged you, maybe its money, time; an addiction, your marriage or maybe it is your life. If you have never given your life to God what better time then now, what better place then here? This is why Jesus came here. Maybe it is time you open your gift from Him.
Notes 1. John 1:1(NIV) 2. John 1:14(NIV) 3. Luke 2:6-7(NIV) 4: Luke 4:10-11(NIV)
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2 comments:
You keep getting better the more you write. I really liked this. It's soo true though, we make room for everything else but Christ on a daily basis, we put Him last most days if at all. This isn't a repeat for me :) I really like what you had to say and couldn't disagree with one thing that you said. I think we all tend to sometimes forget what Christmas is about, even those that are really close with Jesus tend to get caught up in the whole worldly holiday stuff.I wish we could just go back to a simple Christmas, which is what we're trying this year. We're not going all out like we have. We're focusing more on it being Jesus' birthday and not about presents.
WOW! You made me cry.
I am continually impressed by your writing. You have a beautiful way with words.
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