Many are setting up their Christmas trees and decorations a tad bit earlier this year. The Christmas music is already in the homes and cars of America and around Alamance County. The prospect of a happier time is trying to make its place in our bewildering times in this year of the Pandemic.
Jesus came during days of great distress. The Lord Jesus, Son of God, was birthed into this world of woe. God was contracted to the womb of a mother. He left the world of glory for a world of gore. How it must have broken His heart as He saw this world from His vantage point with the Father. Yet He chose to redeem us from the works of Satan and the power of death which legally Satan held sway over us. Adam surrendered his rule and authority under God and caused great harm!
Remember that our Lord had no real joyful Christmas experience. Everything for Him was deep sorrow as He saw mankind without a Shepherd. The only tree He had to look forward to was the impending tree of death. There were no ornaments, no lights, or presents under that cross of blood. It seemed as if Heaven nor earth wanted Him as He hung on the shameful cross suspended in air.
This world still hates Him, despises Him, ignores Him, and rebukes Him. If it had its choice the world at large would physically have Him murdered again! The infection of sin is incurable in the heart of man. The ego is set so far away from God and can’t cross the chasm it has made for itself. Only God can surgically remove the stain, shame, and guilt and the power of this most disastrous virus of sin. Only He can come to us. Only He is the Great Physician!
Jesus lived in the midst of the wilderness and loneliness of a world living in sin. Nothing around Him satisfied Him or slaked His thirst. What the world gave Him was a Gethsemane and Golgotha and a Judas. What the world presented to Him was a scourging, a crown of thorns, and nails that were pounded into His hands and feet. What kind of presents from our hands for the King of glory! What love that He would give and not to revile or seek vengeance against us but for our healing!
Our Christmas season ought to center in the heart of God. Our total lives daily ought to be of Christ’s heart for His Father, His total obedience to the second person of the Godhead, and for the sons of men from Adam’s fallen human race.
May it be said of us that what we are wishing for this Christmas season is none other but the total glory of Christ! What do you give to a King who has it all? The only thing I know is our total submission to God’s anointed! And the only way to do this is submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit of Christ.
A Merry Christmas is found only in Him! A New Year is only found in Him! Eternal life begins when you bow before Him and repent and believe upon God’s only Name that will save you and me from the ravages of a lost life.
You are loved,
Pastor Don