A story for all times
For
to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his
shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace.— Isaiah 9: 6
Okay, who can read that verse without
immediately hearing it belted out in the Hallelujah Chorus? I know I can’t. It’s
been years since we have been to a performance of Handel's Messiah. Thanks to the
wonders of the internet this morning I got to listen to it performed by the
Royal Choral Society of London. It brought me to tears. King of kings, Lord of
Lords, he reigns forever and ever. When I feel anything but joyful at this time of year,
all I need do is remember what we celebrate – a humble yet royal birth, and who
we celebrate – Christ born of Mary, Savior and Redeemer.
Jesus is the center of Christmas, but he is so much more. His birth,
life, death and resurrection are beyond reason and outside the realm of our
understanding. Think about it. God so loved insane, pig-headed, selfish
humanity so much he gave himself in a most mind-boggling way. We are his. He
made sure of our redemption by becoming as we are, human and subject to human
frailty, and yet he was divine, able to give us a vision of ourselves we could
never have imagined: we can be compassionate, merciful, loving, selfless and
giving. We can never achieve Christ’s perfection, but we aren’t required to.
All we are asked is to believe and live in keeping with God’s will. Christ in
the manager was also Christ on the Cross. The significance of each is God’s
compelling love, outside our understanding, beyond our imagination, ours not
because of who we are, but because God loves us, just as we are.
In
those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the
entire Roman world. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee
to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and
line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be
married to him and was expecting a child. Luke 2:1, 4-5 NIV
It had to take a lot of courage and
faith to make a long journey with a pregnant woman, one who carried a child not
of your seed, but of your heart because you were following your instructions
from of all things, an angel. None of us can understand Joseph’s heart and mind as he made this trip and we can only guess at Mary’s discomfort and maybe even
fear; fear for her unborn child, fear for herself, and fear for her future. And
yet this couple visited by angels telling them of a common event – the birth of
a child – made the trek, unaware the birth would have uncommon consequences:
awe and celebration of the shepherds; terror in the heart of despotic king. The
Christ child changed lives, and he changed the world. And it's still happening.
Today
in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the
Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and
lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with
the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on
earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke
2:11-14
The greatest story ever told isn’t simply a story; it is a truth that
sustains us in all of life. We have been given a great gift. It is a living
reminder that in all of life we have hope. We are not alone. We are not
abandoned. We are God’s. He loved us so much he gave us his Son, the incarnate
Christ, to live among us, teach us and open us up to grace unimaginable. We are
God’s children, and brothers and sisters of the child born of Mary. Living in
families. Struggling with unexpected news. Living in faith. Growing in trust.
We are blessed because of the blessed birth; we are redeemed by the Redeemer. Even when we
do not know the questions, we know the answer.
Simeon
took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have
promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your
salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for
revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke
2:28-32
NIV
Our future
is assured, not because of anything we can do, but because of the babe in the
manger and his place at God’s side. He gave up his place of perfection to live
as we live, to see the corruption of the times and not be swayed, to teach and
touch those in need of a new vision, a redeemer and healer. He made no claims
he could not substantiate and listened without condemnation to those who would
bring him down. “Not my will but thy will,” he prayed in his final hours of
freedom. Now as we head into the New Year we can be assured that the Christmas
spirit is not simply one of generosity nor is it seasonal, it is one freedom, freedom to live in
joy knowing our future is assured – not to mean perfect, but in the hands of
one who loves us so much he gave us is son.
Live in joy. Believe the promise: "Be strong, banish fear and doubt. Remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
