Why? What’s so special about an arbitrary winter’s day that may or may not be close on the calendar to Jesus’ real birth day? After all, it’s the event that we celebrate, not the day itself. But oh, what an event. It was a once-an-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 bright teenager, then as a powerful teacher and gifted communicator. Only a few saw what billions later would 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 intimately close to His fallen creation. Instead of turning His back on our fallenness, He embraced our need. 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)
Let’s look at that 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 about that for now. Let’s see Him in this humble scene, obscure by a dark night in an out-of-the-way town. We have pinned all our hopes on this fragile child. All of them. We have trusted Him with all our fears and all our treasures. We have made Him our life, and if He doesn’t come through – if He proves to be just a long ago baby in a faraway land – we have no hope. But He Always Comes Through. He has never disappointed us, and He never will. He is Jesus, LORD at His birth.
Have a festive weekend. Make it better by honoring The LORD with those who have witnessed Him come through for them time and again, without fail. They have given their all to Him because He has given His all to them.
All For Jesus – Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.
Vic Alvarado 