Christmas is a time of celebration of the birth of my
savior, Jesus Christ. It is such a
special time, because it is the first time that God sent his son to us to identify
with our fallen condition. I
sometimes have wondered why God, who is all-powerful, would choose such a
humble way to showcase His glory: a baby born in an animal pen, using a manger
as a bed. A stable is certainly
not the accommodation that the God of the universe deserves, is it? He could have chosen anywhere for the
birth of His son, yet he orchestrated such a modest beginning with only a star
to alert the world to His presence.
I think the birth of Jesus helps us understand what is
important to God. We tend to think
of pomp and circumstance as the appropriate measure of honor. We tend to consider the trappings of
wealth and privilege to be the measure of glory. God sees things quite differently, though. God values relationships with the
people he created and loves. God
values our heart condition rather than parties, gifts, and ceremonies. I believe that the humble birth of
Jesus is God’s way of telling us that he loves us so much that he is willing to
get down in this dirty world with us and identify with our condition. From the very beginning He has been
willing to suffer humanity so that one day we might accept Him as our savior
and build a relationship with Him.
As for me, I am both humbled and honored that He would love
us so much that he would become something so small. This Christmas, as you celebrate the birth of Jesus with
your friends and family, please remember that the God of the universe loves you
deeply. He loves you with an
everlasting love, and He will do whatever it takes to pursue a relationship
with you. I ask that you consider
sharing a story about how much he loves you with someone who may never have
considered the love of Christ. I
believe that the best way to honor God is to continue the mission of reaching
his people that He began in a stable so long ago. May each of us answer his call to do so.
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