What are your family traditions for Christmas?
As long as I can remember, it has been a Horner tradition to
get up early and read through Luke 2 to candle light. As a kid, my brother and
I would wake up first, light all the candles, plug in the Christmas lights and
then wake up the rest of the family. I wish I could say that our eager
anticipation was for the reading the Bible, but, in all transparency it was the
huge pile of presents under the tree. But my faithful parents tradition of
placing the Story before the gift giving has produced a harvest in our family.
Today my siblings led their young ones in the reading of
Luke 2, passing on the story of our faith. It is such a joy to have Jesus as
the center of our family, which by far is the greatest gift God has blessed me
with.
This morning, my parents and I read all of Luke 1 and 2,
just to change things up a bit. I was struck by Zechariah’s prophecy as he
prayed a dedication over his son, John the Baptist. Within this short passage
is some transcending truth that holds huge implications to all of humanity.
Take a few moments and read Luke 1:67-79.
A Redeemer Has Come
This profound truth is summarized in one name: Immanuel,
meaning “God with us!” Prior to the first advent of Christ, man’s knowledge of
God was limited to descriptions God passed on to humanity. These are still very
treasured attributes and names that we hold fast too, but the transcendent
nature of God made him at the time seem unknowable. This is why the incarnation
is so amazing. God moved into the neighborhood.
When Christ left heaven and wrapped himself in human flesh,
he bridged the gap and made a medium in which we could relate to. The Man-God
came as an innocent baby, lived a normal life, yet without sin. He understands
what it is like to be tired, poor, sad, hungry, rejected, hurt, to lose someone
close…he knows what it is like to be human. This is a God who understands us,
who can sympathize with us, who remembers we are but dust.
A Remembered Covenant
God looked down through the ages and never once forgot his
promise to mankind to send a Redeemer. He knew man would rebel and sin. He knew
man would reject His Son. He knew that we would rather worship ourselves then
trust Him. He had every reason to withdraw His promises, but He is the faithful
covenant keeper! He promised a Deliver to set His people free. God remembered!
A Righteous Response
The story of Christmas often comes to mind cradled with warm
fires, close families, presents and comfort. But Jesus didn’t come to make us
comfortable. The manger is not just a symbol of peace, but a precursor to the
harsh reality of a cross. The love of the Father sent forth His Son to live a
perfect life to be a perfect sacrifice. Christmas’ cradle is a call to holiness
and righteousness. Jesus doesn’t want you to look upon Him and justify your
sins, but to humbly seek forgiveness.
Christmas is a reminder of a decision we must make. It is a
time of reflection and action. Who is Jesus? Is He who He says He is? Has He
done what He said He would do? There is no middle ground. If Jesus is the Son
of God then we are confronted with the reality of our sinfulness and our need
for a Savior. It is not comfortable to think about my sin! It is not comforting
to think that, left to myself, I would be headed to hell. It isn’t reassuring
to realize I need a Savior, that I am lacking something.
Yet the very truth that brings the reality of my need, is
the same truth that fulfills it. Seeing Jesus as the Son of God is to realize
that He is my Savior. To see Jesus as the Christ is to see that He paid for my
sin. This is why He came. He calls to you “come and follow me!” He calls us to forsake
our sin and trust Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment