Christmas Is Not About a Baby

Is Christmas about a baby?  A cute, cuddly little one that His mother held in her arms?  If so, then why is Christmas offensive to many?  Who could be turned off by an adorable baby?  Why have schools changed from Christmas break to winter break?  Why do people file lawsuits to stop Christmas celebrations?  Why do most Islamic and atheistic governments either ban or strongly condemn Christmas?  Because they understand perfectly, that Christmas is not about a baby . . . but a man.  Not a fictitious man with a sled and reindeer, but the very real God-Man, who stands with nail printed hands opened wide to all humanity as their Supreme King and Savior.

The ancient Christmas story originates from the Bible and one quote in particular is the reason for Christmas opposition.  It comes from Matthew 1:23, “‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).”

The Christmas story characters Mary, Joseph, the wise men, the Shepherds, Simeon and Anna all saw baby Jesus.  Each person recognized He was not a normal human infant boy.  He was different.  He was sent from Almighty God in heaven, and born with a divine mission.  He was born with the titles of Christ, Savior, Lord, Son of the Most High, Son of God, King and Immanuel.  Each person recognized but did not fully understand, the boy was clearly not just human, but deity in human form.  And each recognized the baby was not going to fulfill any divine mission, but the God-Man He would grow into . . . would.  King Herod, Jesus’ arch enemy when He was two years old, understood this.  That is why upon learning about Jesus, Herod made a failed attempt to kill the toddler, to try and prevent Jesus from growing up into a man and challenging Herod’s title as King of the Jews.            

Immanuel, God with us, was an offense to Herod and still is to many.  The title communicates there is one true God.  It means there is a Supreme ruler, a Sovereign King over humankind and the universe.  It also implies the King is Judge over all.  The idea that God left His home in heaven and came to earth in the form of a man, angers the prideful, immoral and arrogant.  “Leave us alone”, they say.  “We don’t need you.  We have education, science, our own laws, our own morality, and for some, even our own religion.”  To them, they scoff at Immanuel, “We don’t want God with us.” 

For others though, Immanuel has come as Savior to rescue them from their slavery to sin.  He was welcomed and worshipped.  Followers believed in Him, repented of their sin and received His gift of forgiveness.  They received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and will one day enter into their eternal home in heaven.  To them Immanuel is hope, new life and redemption. 

Christmas is not about a baby, but the God-Man, Jesus.  To some He is an offense, while to others He is hope.  What is He to you?  This Christmas fix your eyes upon Jesus, the One who died and rose again for you.  Today, receive His gift of forgiveness through faith and repentance.   

A prayer for you - “Lord God, open our eyes to see Jesus, not as a baby, but the true and living God-Man.  The One who came to Save us from our sins and one day judge the world.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Thank you. Two Simple Words.

Early in our marriage while we were eating dinner one evening, I said to Kathe “Thanks for dinner, honey.” She responded a little surprised so I followed up with, “You have taken the time to put it together and it tasted great so I think you deserve a thanks.”

One of the easiest ways to celebrate Thanksgiving is by sharing a simple “thank you” with someone who has served us. On the public platform our culture seems to do fine with this. It is normal for celebrities and politicians to express thanks while the cameras are rolling and crowds gathered. However, what are we like when our guard is down and have nothing to gain? In those moments how often do we express “thank you” to our spouse, parents, children, co-workers, friends or classmates?

Thankfulness is a character issue. It is about humility. When we say “thank you”, we are lowering our self and elevating another. When we do that, we are giving people a sense of dignity.  We are honoring their act of service toward us no matter how insignificant or routine it may seem to them or others.

Thankfulness is also about awareness. In order to give a “thank you” it requires that we shift the focus from our own world to someone else’s. It is where we hit the pause button in our busyness for a moment and acknowledge what someone has done on our behalf. It is a simple act of courtesy that is polite and the mark of a true gentleman or lady.

The life altering effect of Jesus’ suffering, death, burial and rising again from the dead is dependent on our attitude toward thankfulness. It takes a sense of awareness to realize all that Jesus did for you and the people of the world. Awareness is required to realize it was done because you are a sinner and need a Savior. And after you are aware of this it takes humility to say “thank you” for all He did. In that moment, life-change happens because you have lowered yourself and exalted Jesus in your heart. The Scripture says, “Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name” (1 Chronicles 16:8).

A prayer for you - “Lord God, help us to be a thankful people.  Open our eyes to be aware of what others have done for us, both in our homes and from strangers among us.  Then give us humility to lower ourselves and exalt others with a simple thank you.  Greatest of all, help us to thank you for saving sinners just like us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

The Wrath and Love of God

About Jesus it is written, “. . . whoever does not obey the Son [Jesus] shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36).  Wrath of God?  The phrase is uncomfortable.  Jesus was the most compassionate, kind and loving person the world has ever known.  Wrath?  It just does not fit the idea most people have of who Jesus was and is.  We talk about the love of Jesus and the love of God, but the wrath of God? 

Sometimes we might think this idea was just in the Old Testament, that somehow when Jesus came it ended the era of the wrath of God.  Not true.  There are hundreds of verses from the Bible that speak about the wrath of God in both the Old and New Testaments, including after Jesus’ resurrection and the establishment of the church.

What is the wrath of God? Theological scholar, Dr. Leon Morris wrote about this, stating it is the “active opposition of God’s holy nature to everything that is evil.”

Mankind naturally goes against the ways of God.  To speak evil of others, engage sexually with others outside of marriage and put our interests above our neighbor is all very normal for us.  This is who we are as a human race.  We are inwardly corrupt, even the most religious and moral among us.  We all inherently walk in disobedience to God. 

How does God respond to that?  By being just.  When man persists in going His own way, God must be impartial and act.  His wrath is an expression of that, where He comes against every thought, word or deed that violates His glory, honor and holiness.

How we feel about something is not as important as how God feels about it.  He is opposed to our blatant disobedience.  Therefore, when we understand this and His wrath, it ought to make us tremble in reverent fear before Him.  He is invisible, is everywhere, reads our thoughts, can control the weather, dispatches unseen forces, can alter the course of daily events and possess the power over life and death.  When we do not care what God says or foolishly presume things about His kindness, we are living dangerously.  Hear this Word from the writer of Hebrews in the Bible, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (10:31).

God’s wrath is certain and it will come against all who refuse to humble themselves and obey Him.  Hell will be their home for eternity, which is the unbridled, full manifestation of the wrath of God for forever. 

What can save us from this definite and unbearable wrath?  The cross of Jesus.

Have you heard of the statement “Jesus saves”? What does He save from?  It is written in the Scriptures that we “shall be saved by him from the wrath of God” (Romans 5:9).  When Jesus hung on His cross, He bore upon Himself the sin of all humanity.  The very thing He hated; He chose to take.  And when He did, the wrath of His Father was poured out upon Him.  Jesus received our punishment.  Why?  Because of love.  He bore the wrath of God so we would not have to.  Only Jesus can save us from the wrath that is to come. 

God is kind and patient with us.  He waits with arms stretched open wide as He sends messengers back and forth across the world, and directly to you, carrying His message of good news.  People, no matter who they are, can be saved from the wrath to come and find forgiveness and peace in Jesus today. 

A prayer for you - “Lord God, I praise you for Your justice and mercy.  You are a God without partiality and a wise judge.  Help us to understand and not dismiss Your wrath.  Let us walk in reverent fear before you because of your mighty power.  May we call upon you to save us from our sins and spare us from Your wrath. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”