The Son is Given
Today’s Verse:
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. ~Luke 2:7
Today is celebrated as Christmas! Christians everywhere are celebrating the doctrine of the incarnation that God was manifest in the flesh. We refer to Christmas as the birthday of our King, but the miracle of miracles happened when Jesus came into the world via a virgin birth. His virgin birth would be the only one of its kind ever. There never was one before, and there would never be one after. This morning, let us celebrate, rejoice, and remember the impact made on this world when Jesus came.
We see the poverty in His ARRIVAL.
Even though Jesus is rightfully King, He entered this world in the humblest and poorest of conditions. Mary and Joseph had nothing to clothe Him with. We are told that she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, which are basically torn strips of cloth. This was the only means by which He could be afforded warmth. There were no vacancies for lodging anywhere in the city. No one was compassionate enough to offer a bed for a pregnant woman. Near the outskirts of town was an animal stable. It was a cave that served the purpose of housing the animals. Mary and Joseph knew that would have to suffice for lodging and the birth of the baby. His crib was a horse trough where hay was placed as padding. What a poor, humble setting for our Lord’s arrival!
We see the passion in His ATONEMENT.
We fast-forward from His birth, and let us go to the date of His death. We see the passion of the Father and the Son as He made His way to the cross. As He hung on that cross, impaled with stakes driven through His hands and feet, it is He Who looked with compassion upon the same sinner who crucified Him. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him,” Rom. 5:8-9. Christ died for every sinner. He tasted death for every man. He loved us and gave Himself for us. The fire in that passion never diminished. The identification with the mission of the cross would never change.
We see the PROCLAMATION of His accomplishment.
The first group of people the announcement was made to of the Lord’s arrival was shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night. The angels declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards all men.” These men were so moved by the angels’ announcement that they made haste to see the child for themselves. What faith these men had! What fire filled their bloodstream for telling others that the Christ had arrived. The proclamation of His coming and His mission is still being preached. It is a message that never changes. It is a message that still changes lives.
We see the people of His ASSEMBLY.
Jesus began calling out a people to Himself. All who put their faith in Him for their salvation become part of His family. After they follow Him in scriptural baptism, they become members of Christ’s body, the church. As His people, we carry the torch in proclaiming the good news that Christ died for our sins and rose again from the dead. We are a people who can rejoice that Christmas for us is 365 days a year, because Christmas is about the Lord Jesus!
Rejoice this morning in the miracle of His arrival. Celebrate the fact that the Son of God became the Son of Man, so that sons of men could become sons of God.
Have a joyful God Morning!