Before time even existed, God the Father, His Son, and Spirit lived in perfect harmony, fully enjoying each other’s company. Because of the joy and fulfillment that overflowed in their relationship, they created other life forms to join them in their life abundant. And when they created all these life forms in heaven and earth, God declared, “It is very good!” A formal stamp of approval for a work well done. For there was love, there was joy, and there was peace, both in heaven and on earth. There was harmony.
Unfortunately, one of God’s creations turned against Him with evil intentions. This evil one goes by many names, but let’s just call him “Swiper.” Swiper will do anything to destroy the harmony and joy intended by God, also called the “Creator.” Swiper approached the first created man and woman with the idea that God was not enough. That if they just ate of the fruit forbidden by God that they could be just like Him, knowing both good and evil. Swiper knew God is pure and no evil can reside in His being, so once the first man and woman’s eyes were open to evil due to their disobedience to God’s command, the Creator had to separate Himself from His creation. The evil, which is also called sin, entered this world and tainted what God made good, even up to this very day. That fateful day was when shame covered the world, for Swiper had orchestrated his plan to destroy all that is very good in this world to spite the Creator. That was the day when mankind felt “not good enough,” for Swiper had taken away the love, the joy and the peace here on this earth. Instead, there was chaos.
Yet there is hope! For the Creator has a plan to bring restoration to both heaven and earth again. In fact, the Creator will defy the natural bounds of human relations: “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.” Emmanuel is translated as “God with us” where heaven meets earth and where the heavenly light shines upon all mankind — to those whose eyes are open, to those whose eyes see..
And indeed two thousand years ago, a baby was born in a barn and laid in a manger in Bethlehem as was written several hundred years before the baby’s birth by the prophet Isaiah. This was no ordinary baby! This baby was the Son of God who was fully God, yet fully man, and he came to save our world from sin. He is our Redeemer! The Creator exclaimed that this baby is “the true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”
So, friends, this is the true meaning of Christmas! The birth of this baby boy will bring restoration to heaven and earth again. The birth of this baby boy will allow His people to draw near to the Creator once more again, and this bond will never be broken between God and man. The choice is to choose life through the Savior manifested in this little baby or to choose your own way that will lead to death. For when this baby grew to be man, He proclaimed, “I am the way. I am the truth. I am the life.” Even though the world falsely claims many ways to God, the truth is there is only ONE Savior who can unite God to man, and HIs name is Emmanuel. Because of this proclamation, true believers celebrate Christmas and rejoice in the assurance that the Creator will bring back harmony in the lives of those who love Him — to those who revere His name, to those who are called His children.
The birth of this baby is what I would like to call “a diamond in the rough.” As Isaiah prophesies, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you, and nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”
I hear you saying, “Wait, wait… that’s not the entire story!” Yes, that is correct. If you want to know the events surrounding the birth of this baby boy — the birth of Grace — the story can be found in the Gospel of Matthew. Does Swiper wreak havoc for this little baby and how does this baby live his life out on this sinful earth? I encourage you read the full story in the Gospel of Matthew, for there you will find your answers.
The message is really amazing — amazing grace!
My prayer to you:
May you see the light of the promised ONE this Christmas and find your love and find your joy and find your peace in the midst of this chaotic world!
Merry Christmas!
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Discussions to make God known 