| Isaiah 9:2,6 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in deep darkness a light has dawned… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. |
The key question this Advent-Christmas season is simple…What difference does the birth of this child in Bethlehem 2000 years ago make in your life, in my life, and in human history? What difference does the birth and life of Jesus of Nazareth make for you, for me, for human history, for our world? Let me answer this question with Six truths about Jesus.
Jesus Tells Us That We’re All Children Of God
Christina Rossetti summed it up when she said:
Love Came Down at Christmas ,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.
The message of Christmas, the message of Jesus, is that every single one of us is a child of God. Not because we’ve earned it; not because we deserve it; simply because God loves us. Let me explicate what this practically means in your life and in my life:
- Whatever your social status or lack thereof, you are a child of God.
- Whatever your ethnicity, you are a child of God.
- Whether you are a novice in Christ or a spiritual giant in Christ, you are a child of God.
- Whatever your age, you are a child of God.
- Whatever your sexual orientation, you are a child of God.
- However educated or uneducated you are, you are a child of God.
- Whether you’ve got life all worked out or you’re floundering in life, you are a child of God.
- Whatever your religious tradition, you are a child of God.
Jesus brings us the good news that God loves each of us as His beloved child.
Jesus Brings Light Into The Darkness Of Our World
The prophet Isaiah spoke of the work of the work of the Messiah in these words:
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of darkness A light has dawned (9:2)
The world into which Jesus came was one dark, messed up, mixed up world.
- Rome ruled ruthlessly with its oppressive foot on the Palestinian world
- Herod decided to kill all children 2 years of age and under in order to kill the Messiah child
- The religious elite disdained those they considered spiritually impure
- The rich were getting richer and the poor were getting poorer
- Jews hated Gentiles and Gentiles hated Jews
- Violence was ready to erupt at any time between Jewish Zealots and the Roman Empire
Well, without question, many here and now might say that we, too, live in a dark, messed up, mixed up world. As one cultural commentator has put it: I think a lot of people sense that the wheels are coming off the trolley and the trolley is off the tracks. That in some deep and fundamental way, things have broken down and can’t be fixed, or won’t be fixed any time soon.
Well, the light Jesus brings into our darkness is the truth that this is still God’s world. God had not given up on this world. God remains active and involved in this world. God is ever at work to bring that which is good and right and just;
The light shines in the dark, messed-up, mixed-up world in which we live simply because God has not removed Himself from it. He is here, at work, ever seeking still to accomplish His divine purposes.
Jesus Solidifies God’s Nature As Gracious And Forgiving
It is not true that the Old Testament parlays God’s judgmental nature and the New Testament presents God’s nature as gracious and forgiving. Far too many Christians misunderstand John 1:17 (“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came though Jesus Christ”) as indicating that it’s only through Jesus that God’s grace is at work. This is not true. There are innumerable passages in the O.T. referencing God’s grace-centered relationship with his children.
Note, for example, Psalm 51:1-2 wherein the psalmist clearly leans on God’s gracious and forgiving nature: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me.
Then there’s the inspiring Psalm 86:15: But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
And, remember the notable 23rd psalm. This whole chapter commends the caring, giving, loving nature of God; and how He continually provides for our needs.
What Jesus did was cement the gracious and forgiving nature of God as the heart of who God is and how God acts.
Jesus Reminds Us That God Understands Our Humanity
Some years ago I came across an enlightening statement by Romand Catholic Archbishop Joseph Marino. He spoke of the Incarnation this way: God opened the doors of heaven and stepped down to earth in Jesus so that He could know what it’s like to be human. In Jesus he experienced every emotion we humans experience; the joy, the sorrow, the tears, the anxiety, the highs and the lows; the moments when we are at our best and the moments when we are at our worst. It’s God’s way of letting us know that no matter what we’re facing as human beings; we’re not alone. God has walked with us and does walk with us.
This baby became a child; and that child became a teenager; and that teenager became a young adult; and that young adult became an adult. And all along the way he experienced every human emoDtion and feeling. He knew what it was each step of the way to be a full human being.
Did Jesus get angry? Yes. Did Jesus feel deep sorrow? Yes. Did Jesus have moments of real uncertainty? Yes. Did Jesus struggle in his relationship with some people? Yes. Did Jesus know profound pain? Yes.
A favorite Christmas hymn for all of us is the meaningful, “What Child Is This?”. It contains these words:
What child is this who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping….
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.
Yes, this is Christ the King. But he was also a very real human being who helps you and me understand that God understands our humanity.
Jesus Calls Us To Lives Of Exceptional Love
Remember the musical piece in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas when the chorus sings the song, You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch. Here are some of the words:
You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel. You’re as cuddly as a cactus, And as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch…
I wouldn’t touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half pole!…You’re a foul one, Mr. Grinch!
You’re a nasty, wasty skunk!…The three words that best describe you are as follows, and I quote,
‘Stink, stank, stunk!’…You’re the king of sinful sots!
Does Jesus expect us to love the “stink, stank, stunk” of this world? Yes, he does. He expects us, as he modeled himself, to love those whom everyone deems unlovable.But let me share with you some insights about Christian love; what it is and what it isn’t. First of all, what it doesn’t mean…
- It doesn’t mean we have to like everyone;
- It doesn’t mean we accept or ignore evil and abuse;
- It doesn’t mean we don’t practice indignation and intervention when God’s people are treated brutally and unjustly.
What Christian love, Jesus-centered love, does mean is this: we readily pray to have the spirit, heart and mindset of Jesus in our relationships with others; including the stink, stank, stunk folks. And we pray for God to help us as best we can to see the good in others.
Jesus Inspires World-Changing Actions
I’ve mentioned before a book by Dr. James Kennedy. Dr. Kennedy, as you probably know, was the pastor for many years of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He’s now deceased Intriguingly, the book is titled, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born. In his introduction Dr. Kenney writes:
Attacks on the Church and Christianity are common in our day and time. But the truth is this: Had Jesus never been born, this world would be far more miserable than it is. In fact, many of humankind’s noblest and kindest deeds find their motivation in love for Jesus Christ; and some of our greatest accomplishments also have their origin in service rendered to the humble Carpenter of Nazareth. To prove that truth is the purpose of this book.
Then he lists some ways Christianity, the community of Jesus, has helped transform this world:
- Christianity’s immediate effects were to bring an end to infant exposure (where unwanted children were left out in the elements to free or die of thirst), gladiator contests, and cannibalism
- Christianity was considered radically pro-woman at the time of its founding. Women in Greek days could hardly leave their homes. When her husband had guests over, she was not allowed to sit in the same room. Their status was extremely low among the Romans, where the father of the family had the power of life and death, even over his wife
- Christianity nullified polygamy
- The first public hospitals were started by Christians in the 4th century
- Romans, Greeks, and other ancients usually did not take care of their loved ones in times of plague, but Christians did, and often died themselves as a result.
- The International Red Cross was founded in the 19th century by a Swiss evangelical Christian who said he did it “for the love of Jesus Christ”
- Mother Teresa would not have been who she was without the life and teachings of Jesus.
By the life and teachings of this Jesus you and I are inspired to be transforming agents in the world.
Closing
So, During this Advent-Christmas Season We Give Thanks For The Gift Of Jesus; The One Who…
Reminds Us We Are All Children of God
Brings God’s Light Into The Darkness of Our World
Solidifies God’s Nature As Gracious and Forgiving
Shows Us That God Understands Our Humanity
Calls Us To Lives of Exceptional Love
Inspires Us To Go Forth and Change The World
