Christmas messages have been preached for hundreds of years and almost every one centers on the birth of Jesus Christ. Even though his birth was miraculous and a wonderful fact, it is not the complete story of his life. His birth would have just been a miracle, but it would not have saved us. The lamb's birth for the children of Israel was not what washed away their sins for the year, it must first have died for the atonement. So, too, is the life of Christ. Though glorious was his birth, it was by his death that we were given eternal life. Perhaps we don't think on this enough. We should not only speak of his birth, but also his death and resurrection. Paul wrote that "I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." (I Cor. 2:2) Could it be we don't really understand this aspect of our faith, the fact that "without shedding of blood is no remission." (Heb. 9:22) Our sins would still be looming over us, an impassable breach, separating us from God and his presence. There would be no peace and no joy for mankind. What a sad world it would be to be truly "strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world." (Eph. 2:12)
But there is hope! "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." And it is written: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isa. 7:14). "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isa. 9:6) "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (I Pet. 2:24). "[H]e hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." (Acts 17:31)
So this Christmas think back; over all the years and Christmas' that you have lived through, all the presents that you have received. Each of us have things that stick out as the greatest gift we have ever gotten. I have heard people speak of cars, giant TV's, or some other super big, or shiny gift. I gave this subject much thought the other day when asked what I would say was mine. I thought for quite sometime, I couldn't pin point one gift as the best, then I considered that I might be thinking wrong, perhaps not the best, but most meaningful. With that in mind my decision was much easier. The greatest gift I ever received was not wrapped in festive paper, but in linen. It wasn't put in a box, but in a tomb. It was the gift of eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I pray that after (and even before) all the hoopla is over, the turkey is gone, and the presents have all been broken or forgotten, that you too can realize that the greatest gift that you've ever received was an empty tomb. |
