We all know the two main themes of Christmas seen today: Jesus's birth and Santa Claus. While Santa Claus comes from years of folklore and stories of Saint Nicholas from the 4th-century (all something to do with Christianity), only Jesus's story never changes. Nativity scenes are always the same. Santa Claus decorations change every year. As a matter of fact, I saw a racing Santa this year. Who would've thought?
It's always great to receive Christmas presents. I mean let's be real, who doesn't know of things they want for Christmas? I know there's always at least one thing in particular I ask my parents for each Christmas. But the world has made Christmas all about receiving. I'm here to tell you, it's not. And if you already knew that, well, then maybe some deeper meaning of Christmas will come to you through this blog post.
Have you ever just stopped and really thought about the Christmas story? I mean we all know about the shepherds and the wise men and the angels and how Jesus was born in a manger etc etc. I'm sure at least most of us could give a general idea about what happened in Bethlehem so long ago. But what I think we don't fully understand is how significant Jesus's birth really was.
It all started back in the Garden of Eden in the early days of the Creation when everything was perfect. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and brought sin upon all of humanity. Now you can get into a big argument on who's fault it really was, but that's not the point of this. After they sinned, the Lord told them all his plan for redemption:
"I will make you and the woman hostile toward each other. I will make your descendants and her descendant hostile toward each other. He will crush your head, and you will bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15 GW)
Already God told them that one of their descendants would crush Satan. Although Adam and Eve did not know exactly what that meant, I'm sure the knowledge was very comforting.
Throughout the Old Testament, scripture after scripture said something about the coming Messiah. Can you imagine how long the Israelites were waiting? Can you imagine hearing from your parents and grandparents the stories of the coming Messiah and hearing how long the tribe had been waiting? Can you imagine being one of them and just hoping and hoping the Messiah would come during your lifetime? The wait must have been excruciating. Just think how many generations of people the Old Testament spans. It makes me think of the song "Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus."
But Jesus finally came. Thousands of years after Adam and Eve, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But why would He be born as a baby? Why come humbly instead of as a king should? I heard one good reason the other day about Him being born as a baby. People aren't scared of babies. I mean can you imagine Him coming down with all His glory? People would follow Him just because they were afraid. But coming as a baby, people had to have faith that He was the Messiah. Only people who really believed Him could truly follow Him. And yes, also He was coming to build the Heavenly kingdom not an earthly kingdom. I'm sure if it were an earthly kingdom, He would've come more kingly. But that wasn't His purpose. He came as Immanuel- God with Us.
How significant that name is! It isn't "God was with Us." It's the present tense with an understood "is": "God with Us." No longer do we have to be separated from God spiritually. Because Jesus became Immanuel, we now can have a relationship with God. We now can become His followers and have eternal life. God gave the ultimate gift and love:
"God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life." (John 3:16)
When Jesus was on that cross, he literally took all of humanity's past and future sins on His shoulders and took them to the grave and Hell. He paid for all of them with His own life. What a gift! What love! The God Almighty would love humanity so deeply that He would give His own Son for us. Because of Him, we now can have love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, and self-control. Because of the love that He showed us, we now can bestow to others and be an example.
Did you know the word Christian actually means "little Christ"? God called us to like Christ, to walk as He did and love as He did. But we don't have to do it alone. Jesus became Immanuel. No longer are we alone: Immanuel. No longer must we worry about our future: Immanuel. No longer must we live in shame and sadness: Immanuel. No longer must we do things with our own strength: Immanuel. No longer must we go to Hell: Immanuel. No longer must we fear temptation: Immanuel! No longer must sin separate us from God: Immanuel! God's Son came to this earth to be Immanuel! Oh, what joy, what gift, what prize could ever top that! Humanity now can be restored if they just come to Immanuel for help.
God gave the ultimate gift. Christmas is a celebration, it's about salvation, it's about generosity. Don't let this world trap you in it's hustle and bustle and negativity in this Christmas season. Immanuel, God with Us. Live in joy, celebration, and victory because of the Savior who loved you so much to be born humbly to this world and die on the cross to pay for your sins.
This is one of the most powerful videos I've ever seen. I've shared it on Facebook and Twitter already but after reading this blog, watch it again and let it's meaning soak deep into your mind and heart.
"God With Us- A Young Charles Spurgeon Christmas Sermon"
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=W77KW7NX&fb_action_ids=248981978597703&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B461929930510412%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.likes%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D
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