The Central Moment

The Word became flesh. This is what we celebrate this Christmas weekend and this is why we tremble in worship before him. God has come. Jesus has been born. Life and light have shone -- and we can be saved!

Jesus was born in Bethlehem to die on a cross in Jerusalem in order save us from sin, judgment and hopelessness. He took on a body to become a redeeming sacrifice for us. The God who created us has acted to rescue us. This is redemption!

God’s providence in our lives points to his graciousness, his sovereignty, and his care for us. It was in the providence of God that Jesus was born at just the right time and by the intentional plan of God. May his providence cover our lives during this busy Christmas season!

God’s protection over our lives is one of the great blessings of the Christian life. He gives his angels charge over us, he guides us to places of safety as he did with Mary and Joseph, and he secures our futures with his promises.

One of the greatest promises in Scripture is embodied in the Christmas name given to Jesus -- “I will be with you.” Immanuel means that God has not abandoned us, rejected us, or forgotten us. No, he is “God with us!”

The story of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow reminds us that Christmas represents hope. Life isn’t always ideal, no matter how much we long for it to be during this season, but if we are receptive to moments of encouragement, and looking for moments of gratitude, we’ll remember that God is not dead, nor doth he sleep.

True joy doesn’t come from gifts, or even from giving. True joy comes from acknowledging the life-changing power of Jesus Christ in your heart. So don’t misplace the message of Christmas this year. Remember, He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and prince of peace.

Most of us have heard the songs and lyrics of the Christmas season for decades… enough that we can listen or even sing them without much thought to the story being told. But don’t let the story of Jesus’ birth become routine. Believe it in your heart, and shout it from the mountain.

The joy of Christmas isn’t based on gift giving, or even the excitement of earthly traditions. It is found in the birth of Jesus who came to bring abundant life to those who believe in him, and that joy transcends even the busyness and stress of this “joyful” holiday season.

Jesus birth and eventual death paved the way for our death, and re-birth. His willingness to live within the confines of humanity gives us the option to die to ourselves and be born again in his grace and forgiveness. But that’s a gift we all must choose to accept.