As I drive through town, walk through the market place and even while at church - there it is, the nativity scene. The miraculous has happened. Baby Jesus, in the most humble and helpless of circumstances.
I hear songs on the radio
...."the little Lord Jesus, lay down His sweet head.." It's amazing to me how just about every artist out there has recorded a Christmas CD. Maybe it's just me, but I think -
O' Lord, do we merely celebrate your birth and then forget you grew up?
How is it that these same recording artists can write about casual sex, drugs, and adultery? Then I realize, maybe it's just the idea of Christmas - The Christ child; come to bring peace and good will toward men... or it's the idea of santa coming to bring gifts to children... or it's the winter feelings of snuggling and cuddling with loved ones - or a blanket and a good book.
Whatever it is... I can't help but wonder-
O' Lord, do we merely celebrate your birth then forget you grew up? God-Elohim, the Creator of heaven and earth - not just some "higher power", came to earth as a child. The Messiah- Yahshua (Jesus) is His name. How big of a deal is this?
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:5-8 Jesus left His throne, emptied Himself of His Godhood and became a man. Why? So we could sing Christmas Carols and drink egg nog? No, but so that man would be rescued from sin.
Jesus, once cuddled and pampered as a sweet little babe, grew up.
What happen to the gifts and warm fuzzy feelings of celebration for His birth?
It soon became the celebration of his coming death-it was the ridicule, the false accusations, it was the plucked beard and lashes on His back. It was mockery. And why? Because He came to say that He was the only way to the Father. They thought it would silence Him - be happy for a season, then box it all up.
Jesus: no longer the babe, sweet and innocent - but a Man, God in the flesh.
Strong yet humble.
Nails in His hands; nails in His feet - thorns on His brow. Why? Because He loved me so.
I can't help but wonder - Do I celebrate His birth only to forget He grew up?
Have you ever considered that the scars on Jesus are with Him forever? Have you ever considered that when He left His throne, the choice He made was a permanent one? Though He returned to His throne and His glory was restored, His scares still remain.
"And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain." Revelation 5:6
The stain of my sin, washed clean by His blood - in the end my glorified and perfect body for the price of His.
Yes, my heart is humbled when I remember the Christ child - no longer the babe in the manger.
Won't you remember with me?
(352 days 11 hours ago.)