More Than A Story
I've been thinking about "The Christmas Story" lately. Not the one starring Ralphie in search of his BB Gun but the one that all of us will most likely hear at a Christmas Eve service in a few days. I have met and talked with quite a few people lately that I am convinced carry the name "Christian" as a part of their life instead of the core of their life. A few friends and co-workers that quickly throw out what church they attend or service they give to their community but equally as fast show they know nothing more about who the Savior is than Ricky Bobby did in his prayer to "8lb baby Jesus." I have begun to wonder how many people have heard the Christmas Story and could probably recite it, yet have no clue what it really means beyond another great bedtime tale that is well suited for the Christmas season.
The real Christmas Story is the telling of the real event wherein the God of the universe gave up His only son, part of Himself. He gave him up to be born in the midst of His own creation who had and still rejects it's creator. He gave him up for the specific purpose of sacrificing a perfect life, the only perfect life on a murderous cross. He gave him up to this cross despite our sin and rejection of Him. He gave Him up to pay the debt that we owed for our sin, which none of us could pay. He gave Him up to be raised from the dead so He would conquer the grave and ultimately bring glory to Himself and the Father God. He did all this when you and I have failed him miserably for years, when you and I have failed him even today. That is love. Love that can only come from God. Love that can't be explained. Love that is so much deeper that just a pretty nativity scene and a great Christmas tale. The Christmas Story is so much more that a story about the birth of a man we call Jesus. It is the story of God showing those that hate him how much He loves them.
As you hear the Christmas Story this week and weekend, take time to meditate on the depth of the birth of Christ. Ask yourself "why" would Jesus leave the right hand of His father in glory to come live and die for you? Let that soak in. Then praise Him with the attitude of worship that He deserves this Christmas and all year round.
The real Christmas Story is the telling of the real event wherein the God of the universe gave up His only son, part of Himself. He gave him up to be born in the midst of His own creation who had and still rejects it's creator. He gave him up for the specific purpose of sacrificing a perfect life, the only perfect life on a murderous cross. He gave him up to this cross despite our sin and rejection of Him. He gave Him up to pay the debt that we owed for our sin, which none of us could pay. He gave Him up to be raised from the dead so He would conquer the grave and ultimately bring glory to Himself and the Father God. He did all this when you and I have failed him miserably for years, when you and I have failed him even today. That is love. Love that can only come from God. Love that can't be explained. Love that is so much deeper that just a pretty nativity scene and a great Christmas tale. The Christmas Story is so much more that a story about the birth of a man we call Jesus. It is the story of God showing those that hate him how much He loves them.
As you hear the Christmas Story this week and weekend, take time to meditate on the depth of the birth of Christ. Ask yourself "why" would Jesus leave the right hand of His father in glory to come live and die for you? Let that soak in. Then praise Him with the attitude of worship that He deserves this Christmas and all year round.
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