Unfortunately, Christmas is somewhat confusing to the watching world. The humility and poverty of a Bethlehem stable confused with the wealth and indulgence (and even selfishness) of gift buying and giving. The quietness of Bethlehem confused with the chaos of shopping malls. The seriousness of the Incarnation of Christ confused with the silliness of the carnival spirit. The star of heaven confused with blinking colored lights. The true gifts of the wise men (gold, frankincense, and myrrh) confused with plastic toys. Angels confused with flying reindeer. An ox and a donkey confused with a red-nosed reindeer. The filth of a stable confused with the whiteness of snow. Mary and Joseph confused with elves from the North Pole.
In the midst of the confusion, what is the real message of Christmas?
"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
Christmas is about the Incarnation; God laying aside His glory in Heaven and coming to earth wrapped in human flesh and dwelling among His people, a people in need of grace and truth. Jesus is our Emmanuel - God with us!
May our hearts be prayerful as we celebrate the truth that the Messiah has come.
"MY FATHER, In a world of created changeable things, Christ and His Word alone remain unshaken. O to forsake all creatures, to rest as a stone on Him the foundation, to abide in Him, be borne up by Him!
For all my mercies come through Christ, who has designed, purchased, promised, effected them. How sweet it is to be near Him, the Lamb, filled with holy affections!
When I sin against Thee I cross thy will, love, life, and have no comforter, no creature, to go to. My sin is not so much this or that particular evil, but my continual separation, disunion, distance from Thee, and having a loose spirit towards Thee.
But Thou has given me a present, Jesus Thy Son, as Mediator between Thyself and my soul, as middle- man who in a pit holds both Him below and Him above, for only He can span the chasm breached by sin, and satisfy divine justice.
May I always lay hold upon this Mediator, as a realized object of faith, and alone worthy by His love to bridge the gulf. Let me know that He is dear to me by His Word; I am one with Him by the Word on His part, and by faith on mine;
If I oppose the Word I oppose my Lord when He is most near; If I receive the Word I receive my Lord wherein He is nigh. O Thou who hast the hearts of all men in Thine hand, form my heart according to the Word, according to the image of Thy Son,
So shall Christ the Word, and His Word, be my strength and comfort." *
* Arthur Bennett, The Valley of Vision - A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions. (Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, rep. 2007) 17.