Why? What is so distinctive about an arbitrary winter’s day that may or may not be close to the calendar to Jesus’ real birth? After all, it’s the event that we celebrate, not the day itself. But oh, what an event, huh? It was a once-in-eternity occasion when God clothed Himself in our form and lived among us. Our ancestors saw Him first as a carpenter’s boy, then as a gifted adolescent, then as a powerful teacher and gifted communicator. Only a few saw what billions would later accept: That this was no ordinary human. He was fully human, yes; but He was, and is – so much more.
In an intimate setting in Bethlehem, God got up close and personal to His fallen creation. Instead of turning His back on our fallenness, He embraced our neediness. History, and our lives, have never been the same, nor will they ever be again. Thank God, huh?
“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12)
Look at the baby in the crude manger. His mother’s blood has just been wiped from His face. She will one day have to wipe His blood from her face, but forget that for now. See Him in this humble scene, obscure by the dark night in an out-of-the-way town. Have you pinned all your hopes on this fragile child? All of them? Have you trusted Him with all your fears and all your treasures? Have you made Him your life? What if He doesn’t come through? What if He proves to be just a long-ago baby in a faraway land? Then you’ve put your hope in the wrong hands. Yet, be of good cheer, He Always Comes Through. Always! He will never disappoint us, He never will. Why? He is Jesus, LORD at His birth and forevermore.
Have a glorious weekend. Make it better by worshiping The Lord with those who are convinced that life is always best when they are at rest in Him, because with Him all is now well.
All For Jesus – Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.
Vic Alvarado 