Who is this Man, Jesus the Christ, whom angels praise and children of God adore? The story goes back before the world was ordained and the stars began their first course. “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son….” The birth of Jesus Christ was just the opening line to the great drama that would enfold in time. The great saga of Redemption and Salvation was to be written on the shore of the Jordan and on the cross of Calvary.

Hebrews 1

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him." And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire." But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions." And: "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail." But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”

John 1:1 – 14:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

This Man, Jesus Christ, came into space and time to be the Spoken Word of the Father. This Man, Jesus Christ, “was God.” This Man, Jesus Christ, came to dwell with us, God in the flesh. The birth of Christ Jesus was the opening line, written with Grace and Truth. The great drama would enfold as God’s plan of salvation and redemption.

When Jesus was born, he knew the end from the beginning. He was “Born to Die,” just as we who believe in Jesus Christ are “Born Again to Live.” Those who receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, receive the right to become children of God, “to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

As a child growing up in Nazareth, He knew His life would take Him to the cross. The peace that was proclaimed to poor shepherds who watched their flocks by night, was the same peace that was proclaimed from the cross. Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And “It is finished.”

Christ Jesus did not come to start a Holiday, but a revolution. This revolution was not political or religious, but relational. Jesus came to die for our sins, and open the door of heaven to us. The birth of Jesus began the time when God would dwell among His people, and it continues unbroken, even up to this day. Jesus dwells in the lives of everyone who has placed their hope and trust on Him. He dwells with His people.

Jesus came to suffer and die! That is what the opening line began, the heavenly drama of the suffering and death of our Savior. If we are to celebrate His birth, then let us also celebrate His death. Let us proclaim that He came to die, to be buried and be raised again on the third day. Without the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, this holiday is meaningless and pointless.

As the writer of Hebrews says:

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” Hebrews 12:1 – 3

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Published on: 2008-11-15 (8255 reads)