Saturday, December 22, 2018
1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him.
A MYSTERY
Every birth is a mystery. Each is an awesome miracle of God's wisdom and power. But Jesus’ birth is no ordinary birth and He is no ordinary child. This is the birth and He is the Child to whom all of Scripture testifies, upon Whom the faith of every believer rests. The mystery is not that a child would be born but that the Child was born. Not another in the long line of sinners, born in a natural way, but God Himself coming to this earth to redeem us from our sins. Each Sunday we rattle off the truth: "He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary." But think of what that means: This Child, helplessly cradled in His mother's arms, is really the almighty God!
Therefore, lest seasonal distractions rob us, Christians need to step back from the mad worldly scramble and to quietly ponder the stupendous truth that "God was manifested in the flesh."
Why not revisit those wondrous accounts in Scripture -- noting every miraculous detail, allowing the Spirit to drench your heart with joyful appreciation and to fill your faith with the wide-eyed wonder that does not diminish with time. Replay the scene in the theater of your mind, asking, not, "How could this happen?" but, "What happened?" and "Why?" Then listen to the Spirit's response: "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him" (1 John. 4:9). It's another mystery, of course, which heralds God's unfathomable love for us, and yields the peace of sins forgiven.
The world's interest in Christmas may seem passionate, but is only passing. Thanks to the Spirit, you can celebrate a lifetime of Christmases and the same message never loses its wonder. The great mystery of Jesus’ birth, and all that it means, continues to charge our faith with abiding joy.
-- From the "Lutheran Spokesman"
