For Unto Us a Child is Born

“Adoration of the Shepherds”
Gerard van Honthorst, 1622

With Christmas just a few days away, my mind is full of things I’ve read, watched and listened to over the past weeks. Cantatas, Christmas music and Scripture readings have been a wonderful reminder of Whose birth we celebrate at this time of the year.

In The Applause of Heaven, Max Lucado shares a story:

A small cathedral outside of Bethlehem marks the supposed birthplace of Jesus. Behind a high altar in the church is a cave, a little cavern lit by silver lamps.

You can enter the main edifice and admire the ancient church. You can also enter the quiet cave where a star embedded in the floor recognizes the birth of the King. There is one stipulation, however. You have to stoop. The door is so low you can’t go in standing up.

The same is true of the Christ. You can see the world standing tall, but to witness the Saviour, you have to get [down] on your knees.

Unfortunately, television programs have offered very little to reinforce our need to worship Christ at all, let alone on our knees. Apart from a sprinkling of something that could be interpreted wholesome, thanks to Hallmark, movies consisted of Santa Claus suffering amnesia, talking snowmen, flying reindeer and the tiresome girl-gets-the guy movie themes. The true meaning of Christmas—the birthday of Jesus, the Son of God— was lacking and seemed to match the absence of “Merry Christmas” in greetings, display posters and Christmas lights on homes. Instead, and sadly so, “Holiday Greetings” has been successful in removing the true purpose and meaning of Christmas.

Some time ago I was sorting through some papers that I have saved over the years from when my children were in school. I found a school project typed on a very old typewriter by my younger son who was 10 at the time. It’s full of spelling mistakes, poor grammar, skipped letters from the old typewriter, and letters on top of one another in an attempt to make a correction. But nonetheless, a treasure. He typed two paragraphs in response to a homework assignment What Christmas Means to Me. It is dated December 18, 1984.

Christmas to me means giving, sharing and loving. When Jesus was born the Wise men came and gave gold, frankincense and myrrh. That is why we gift give. I like the delicious dinner like the good turkey, corn and, I know that you like it most of all, the delicious thick and oh so good GRAVY; the great part to me is the apple pie, cherry pie and some time we have a cold scrumptious scoop of ice cream.

He went on to say…

The other word for Christmas is Xmas, but I do not like that because they leave Christ out of Christmas and they should not do that because if Jesus had not been born, we would not have Christmas or we would not get to go to heaven. But when he was born he was born to die for our sin and he was not a sinner and he died for us and we sinners should have died. But now when we sin we just have to ask Jesus to forgive us but you really have to mean it and you should try to not do that again. That happens to me and when I do the same thing over I ask Jesus to forgive me and it really makes me feel good inside. That is why Jesus was born.

Without realizing what he wrote, my ten-year-old son had described the true and only reason for Christmas. Would that we, as adults, embrace and live the truth of the Bible: that Jesus came for US!

Have a joyous, love-filled, Christ-focussed Christmas!

Ruth

Something to consider: A good friend of mine said recently, “Jesus isn’t just the reason for this season; He’s the reason for ALL seasons!”