For most of us, we’ve heard it…but has it really sunk in? That Christmas beyond what might be silly and perhaps to some childish is actually a love story. We play, decorate, sing songs, and our spirit perhaps higher than all year ’round hold feasts in celebration of one who loves us the most. He certainly didn’t have much to celebrate considering why He came…but yet He did because of that exact reason.
The dirty manager didn’t upset, the cold night stirring against human flesh He bore. Why would He come? This strange tale of God became human for one reason. To set right was wronged so personal relationships to be (re)established as it should have always been as it always was intended.
Nothing could stop Him from coming and nothing could prevent the way it happened. Born in a manager in a cave because of all things…money + taxes + accounting for the people. Irony was not lost on me… but I digress.
The lowest places became the highest because of His presence. Shepherds and Kings alike came to visit. The wise men were kings of vast treasure and men of knowledge traveling for, what I understand, years in large caravans. It wasn’t a day trip as the fact was they (wise men) didn’t even find Him until He was a toddler. I am fascinated by the two groups…they both took care of what was theirs. They BOTH were working and they BOTH had directions. Not a one was left out. One had a star and the other angels + plus star. And both glorified him. The rich and the poor. One took longer and the other was that very night the Son of God was born.
I find it interesting that it was very likely different cultures were represented with the wise men. Actually, I really find it interesting these men took great pains and disciplined to even travel to find out what the star was and they *heard* clearly from God to return home a different way. Perhaps more accurately is I find the whole birth to be a fascinating turn of events. It doesn’t remotely make sense when you really think about it…and yet it totally does.
Every year my Papa reads the story near or on Christmas and every year I find myself thinking on this miracle event that seems so natural and unnatural in its right. Jesus fully God and fully man came forsaking everything and yet at the same time forsaking nothing because He already knew the outcome- His point was relationship between the Father and His people. To eradicate once and for all, the sin that separated causing the wrath that was to come on us to end with Him. It started in the beginning…just as the Father breathed life into this world knowing the chasm of separation would happen very soon after and already had a plan.
His son, Jesus, born into human flesh would be the start of breaking that chasm which was never supposed to be there in the first place and fulfilling promises made from the very beginning starting with the 1st of Man. We celebrate Christmas because of Jesus. There’s a lot to celebrate, we have joy, strength, cause of dancing, decorating, singing, and all the things because of the greatest love that ever came down. Jesus…the sweetest name.