Christmas is a season. Salvation is forever.
“We were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16 NKJ.
My thoughts and comments today are about,
“a mystery wrapped in majesty.”
I love Christmas. It is truly a wonderful time of the year. And Jesus’ birth is the heart of the season and center of its celebration. Make no mistake. Christmas is a holy day, not merely a holiday. I love the carols and decorations. I love nativity sets that recall His humble arrival into our world, well into His world really.
I love the wonder in children’s eyes at the familiar stories of shepherds, angels, a family, and carolers and congregations singing, “Joy to the World, the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King.” I love Christmas Eve Communions and Christmas Day dinners with family and friends. I love everything about Christmas, except its brevity.
Most of all, Christmas unveils the mystery and majesty of God, by an event so inexplicable that only God could accomplish it. It was no surprise that all who heard the shepherds’ eyewitness account, “wondered at their words.” Nor is it a surprise that Mary, “pondered all these things in her heart.” Unlike any other story, consider the matchless wonder that His story creates. The cast of characters are both good and bad.
There is a worried king jealous for his throne, wondering shepherds rushing from their flocks, wandering kings with royal gifts from afar, and a worshiping couple left contemplating the angels’ startling pronouncements to them. Read Matthew 1:18-25 / Luke 1:26-38 NKJ.
Not much remains a mystery anymore. Christmas is, and will remain both a mystery and majesty. Paul wrote, “Great is the mystery of godliness: Christ was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16 NAS.
This great mystery seems counter-intuitive. From where would a Savior come? Who would imagine a dusty little village? Jesus would come to Bethlehem, but not to Rome. To a stable, but not a throne. How would a Savior come? Would you imagine an infant miraculously born with our shared humanity? Of course not. The Savior would come as a humble carpenter, but not as a conqueror. For whom would the Savior come? Jesus would come for the worst and best among us, sinners all. ”For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 NIV.
How did this grand introduction to our world occur? “There were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock. And an angel of the Lord [said] . . ‘Do not be afraid; I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people . .” Read Luke 2:8-14 NKJ.
The shepherds could have remained with their flocks, just retelling one another their stories about angels. Instead, they hurried to become eyewitnesses of the Savior. “When the angels had gone away into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go and see this . .” Read Luke 2:15-20 NKJ. This Christmas season will pass, but lives can be changed forever.
A baby born to a nondescript couple in an ordinary stable. The mystery of His birth can become the unequaled majesty of His life in your heart. “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.” Read 1 Corinthians 1:24-26 NKJ.
Christmas is knowing the Savior and sharing His Good News with others. Inevitably, the angels return to Heaven. Will you remain as you were, or will you seek a life-changing encounter with the Savior? Christmas is more than the angels’ song. Christmas is about your personal testimony of the grace and love of God for all.
You experience Christmas when you have personally found the One, “born to you this day, a Savior which is Christ the Lord,” and shared the Good News. This Advent, you can be an, “eyewitness of His majesty . . until the Morning Star rises in your heart. “Read 2 Peter 1:16-19. Amid your celebrations, reflect on the divine mystery and celebrate the grand majesty of your Savior.
Today, I pray for your joy to be unrestrained and your celebration extravagant.
EDL Communications 2019
Website and archives: allenrandolph.com