Christmas Day
Wednesday, 25 December 2013
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 1 John 1:
In Genesis 2:7, we read these words – “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”
Before the creation of Adam, there was the Lord God. He formed man according to His wisdom and shaped Him with hands of love. And then into that lifeless form, He breathed the breath of life. From that one man, He took a rib and formed a partner for him. Together, they united and new life came. Each child born since then also bears the image of God. Little babies arrive and the same breath of life that filled Adam continues on in them. Though the parents age and die, the life continues in each new generation.
But in each child since Adam, there has been a flaw – we call it “original sin.” The man disobeyed God and a rift came between the two. Instead of the delight of Eden, there came the woes of thorns and thistles. In place of fellowship, there arose strife. Where there was once access to the Tree of Life, there was the promise of the expiration of the breath of life. Were this to be the final lot of man, it would be a vapid, purposeless existence; let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.
But along with the condemnation and separation came a promise. The Lord God who breathed the breath of life into man would make it all right again. That which was lost would be restored. The generations passed and the promises continued. Each carried a new glimpse of what was coming, but none gave enough to prepare the world for the magnitude of the event. And it came in the most surprising way of all –
“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:10-14
The Lord God who formed man; the Lord God who breathed life into the man He formed; the same Lord God whom the man disobeyed; this loving Creator stepped into His creation. He united with the flesh He fashioned and became a Man. This is what the Bible bears witness to; this is its wondrous testimony –
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
This is the Christmas story and He is the Child of Christmas. Hands handled Him, ears heard His voice, eyes gazed upon His veiled glory and they believed. Today, we too can participate in the unfolding story of the wondrous Lord who loved His people so much that He came and dwelt among us. We too can witness concerning the Word of life. Let us carry in our hearts the Child of Christmas throughout the year and let us never shrink back from the bold proclamation that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Yes, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! Jesus has come.
Lord God Almighty, today I receive the greatest Gift of all; I receive the Child of Christmas. Renew in me this day the deepest desire to commit to honor Him all my days. Give me boldness to proclaim that Christ has come into the world He created. The Babe in the manger is the incarnate Word, my Lord Jesus. Glory to God in the highest for this marvelous thing You have done. Amen.