One of the problems with celebrating Christmas is relegating the Savior of the World to a little manger bed. “Away in a Manger” is a nice little song, but here's the good news: Jesus didn't stay a baby, away in a manger and out of our real adult world.
No, HE GREW UP. And the best part of His message to the world was "I love you" (John 3:16)....I'll pay a price for you that you could not pay, then I'll be raised up, sit down at the right hand of Almighty God and remind Him every day of His covenant with you!"
Good News
One of the best lines in The Chronicles of Narnia is the description of Aslan the lion, the Christ figure. It says, “Oh, he’s not tame … but he is good.” Our Christ is not just “little Lord Jesus who laid down His sweet head”— He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords...the one who came to purchase your redemption in the greatest story ever told.
The story of God becoming human flesh is truly good news! It is good tidings of a great joy: Now, all flesh has been staked out for God’s love and hope. The real joy is in the whole story. Not only can we not confine Jesus to His sentimental little manger bed, but we can’t confine Him to the tomb either!
Think about it. The resurrection is God’s final Word on the life Jesus lived. He turned conventional religious expectations on their ear, and insisted on welcoming people into His kingdom who were considered worse than unacceptable. He showed us that God is serious business.
The Whole Story
Thank God, Jesus didn’t stay put in that little manger bed -- He grew up. As He grew in wisdom and stature, he embodied, in a very uncomfortable way, God’s claim on this flesh, on us—not just to be uplifted and moved, to be comforted and loved, but to be loving and just … and He was punished for all that.
In the resurrection, God declares that little life in the manger, that led from Bethlehem through Galilee to Golgotha —that life is the human life, and even death can’t quell its beauty or power. God declares good news of a great joy.
The story of Christmas is the culmination of a wonderful plan. It's such a great story, sometimes it makes it easy to forget that it’s not the whole story of Jesus.
Jesus grew up! He lived and died for you and for me, and He's still doing the same thing today, so "whosoever will believe on Him." Glory to God in the highest...peace has come to earth as good will toward men!
A Christmas Poem
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child. "What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here.
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve.
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light. Then he sighed & he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.
It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me. I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,' Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas Gram always remembers.
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam , And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in quite a long while, But my wife sends pictures, he's sure got her smile."
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
"I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.
Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.
So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least, Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
