Ah, Christmas.  My hands and feet definitely say “summer” but my mind and soul agree completely with the famous musical sobriquet that this is indeed “the most wonderful time of the year.”  But WHY?

Is it because of all the presents or decorations or universal good cheer?  Or not having to go to school or work?  Or (for some) (definitely not this guy) the snow?

No, in my view what makes Christmas so very merry and special is the fact that, unlike ANY other time, it and Easter see broad swaths of the entire globe focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ – the former on His birth, the latter on His death, burial and resurrection.  The former on the start of His humble human comingling with mere mortals, the latter on the end of that earthly journey.

What an amazing thought.  That even in these modern times when so much effort is being expended to keep God and especially Jesus and the Bible OUT of our daily lives (school, work, even our homes via a seemingly infinite number of distractions ever at our fingertips thanks to technological developments, one after another), the globe takes a few days (Good Friday would be the third) to focus on and remember Jesus.  Simply stunning.  And wonderful.  (Now if we can just get our collective act together the other  362 days. =)

Another thing that makes Christmas so special is that it commemorates the time that God became man so man can become like God (2 Corinthians 3:18) and spend all eternity with Him in His heavenly home when we depart this earth.  Born of a virgin in a lowly manger, the epitome of humility His first time – in stark contrast to His future second.  “No room for Him” (I guess some things never change) at the inn.  And so many times throughout His human existence (Matthew 8:20).  Especially on the cross, when even Peter denied even knowing Him – not once, not twice, but three times.  No room.

And WHY did He agree to such a mission?  Why would anyone leave the infinite comfort and righteousness of heaven, who would ever exchange that for the “groaning and suffering of the pains of childbirth” to which the whole of creation is subjected (Romans 8:22), for the “trouble” for which “man is born” (Job 5:7)?

Jesus would.

Jesus did.

At that very first Christmas.

And His motivation is clearly stated in 2 Corinthians 5:21, one of my very favorite verses in all the Bible:  “He who knew no sin [Jesus] became sin on OUR behalf, that WE might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  I doubt you’ll ever hear a Christmas sermon based on this verse, but in my humble view it’s what Christmas is all about.

Not the gifts we open on a (usually) cold winter’s morning near the end of each year, but “the free gift of God which is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Not the decorations which adorn our trees and homes and front yards, but that our very hearts, our very souls can be transformed and thus be cloaked by the “adornment… of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” (1 Peter 3:3-4)  That we can adorn and cloak our hearts in “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

Not the freedom from having to go to school or work, but the freedom from having to sin. (Romans 6:4,14,17-18 … the whole chapter really … the whole book really =)

THAT’S what makes Christmas so special, so merry.  365 days a year.

Merry Christmas!
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