In this "I'm okay-you're okay" world, where many blasé university religion professors tout the so-called equivalence of all religions—I am very grateful for the difference Christmas makes.
I'm not talking about "fa-la-la" and tinsel, festive lights and trees in the living room—I'm talking about the divergence from similitude that was laid down by one Baby.
God Himself, in the vulnerable, fragile form of a human infant.
The
All-sufficient One, Who created the entire universe—and you and
I—laying down His consummate position, exchanging royalty and absolute
independence for tenuous flesh and blood; suddenly becoming the epitome
of mortal dependence. (Nativity scene: Somerset House Publishing) The Apostle Paul described it this way:
"Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross." (Phil.2:6-8)
John, in the first chapter of his Gospel, wrote:
"And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us . . ." (John 1:14 -AMP)
Just in case that doesn't yet strike wonder in your heart, really think about this . . .
Mary was created by the very Son she bore.
How's that for a time-space-continuum vortex?!
And just when you start to think the astonishing mystery of Christmas is too unattainable for you to grasp; God has made the message and the purpose of His mission very simple.
Any loving parent and any child can understand it.
. . . To be with His children, and for His children to be with Him.
"There it was—the true Light [was then] coming into the world [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] that illumines every person. He came into the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him [did not know Him].
"But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—Who owe their birth neither to bloods nor to the will of the flesh [that of physical impulse] nor to the will of man [that of a natural father], but to God. [They are born of God!]" (John 1:9-13)
It's summed up in two names bestowed upon God's Son—one the immediate promise: Immanuel, which means "God with us."
"Look! The virgin will conceive a Child! She will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" (Matt.1:23)
The other name; the one and only key to unlock Heaven's door. It's the mission statement and also a reminder that what we could never do ourselves, God has done for us: Yeshua (Jesus in the Greek), which means "God saves."
". . . you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matt.1:21)
"There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under Heaven by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
It's the greatest gift we could ever receive; it can't be earned and it is offered to everyone.
God with us now, and us with God when our mortal life is done.
It is the assurance of constant companionship of the One who has authored our very lives and the world in which we live, and the One who knows our future. The assurance and the peace of knowing that even death cannot tear us apart from Him—He is with us through and on the other side of it.
Nothing in this world; no person, no substance, no prosperity and no religion can offer what a relationship with Jesus does.
Again Paul wrote in Corinthians:
"You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty He could make you rich." (2 Cor.8:9)
It is the absolute difference that Christmas—the birth of Jesus—makes to each one of us who will open that preeminent Gift.
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