Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sixth Christmas Day
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
SOFT AND SWEET
It is not uncommon at Christmas time to consider the lowly manner in which our Lord made His appearance as a man. We hear again about the journey of Mary and Joseph to little Bethlehem, the ordinary manger into which the Christ was placed, and the common shepherds who came to see what had come to pass.
The circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth may well remind us today that He comes "not in terrors, as the King of kings, but kind and good, with healing in His wings." He comes as a Child-- Who is afraid of a Baby? He comes not to be served, but to serve-- Emphasized in the humble way He came to our world. He comes not to condemn the world and destroy it, but to save it.
During Advent, as we prepared for Christmas, we heard the voice of John the Baptist urging us to repent, and we took that message to heart. Before Christmas we rightly trembled at our sins and saw our great need for a Savior. We were told to make the "crooked straight" and the "rough places smooth."
But now the voice of John gives way to the voice in the manger. With a gentle whisper Jesus invites us to His cradle-bed, and with a peaceful calm we approach, knowing that He has come not to strike us down in anger, but to heal us with forgiving love and the promise of eternal freedom from all evil.
Hark! a voice from yonder manger,
Soft and sweet, Doth entreat:
"Flee from woe and danger.
Brethren, from all ills that grieve you
You are freed; All you need
I will surely give you."
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 77:7)
