THE WONDER OF CHRISTMAS
(This is a 3-minute read)
Whether we like it or not, we are going to have another Christmas while the world tackles the emergence of another COVID-19 variant that is spreading fast with effects still unknown to scientists. This pandemic chaos, however, does not change the crux of the Christmas message. In fact, the pandemic climate has given all believers and followers of Jesus Christ an undeniable mandate to bring the core message of Christmas closer to the people in our lives.
Let’s also not forget that the nativity scene that is depicted and dramatized at Christmas time is actually a scene of chaos. It started with an unexpected and inconvenient pregnancy, then Mary went into labor before her marriage to Joseph could be registered, and finally, she had no choice but to give birth in an unsanitary stable and without even the most basic obstetric care. Ironically, this series of unexpected turn of events only made the story of the birth of Jesus more relatable – especially today.
In the same way that COVID-19 was unexpected and unwelcomed, God’s Son came into a world that literally had no room for Him. But unlike a pernicious virus that steals, kills, and destroys life and livelihood, God sent His Son into the world to demonstrate His magnificent love and His desire to come near so that we might have a personal relationship with Him and experience all that He promised through His Son, Jesus Christ.
The wonder of Christmas, therefore, is this:
Majesty in the midst of mundane.
Holiness in the filth of sheep manure and sweat.
Divinity entering the world on the floor of a stable,
through the womb of a teenager and in the presence of a carpenter.
– an excerpt from God Came Near by Max Lucado
The wonder of Christmas is also that God came to us in fragility, in humility and with intentionality. As captured beautifully by Max Lucado, in his book ‘God Came Near’: The omnipotent, in one instant, made himself breakable. He who had been spirit became pierceable. He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. And He who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl.
Without fanfare and in the most humbling conditions, Jesus came with a specific purpose and mission to save all people. Although Mary did not fully know why her picture of marriage and motherhood did not go according to plan, when she told the angel, “May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38), she was ready to see God’s plan realised in her life.
While Christmas traditions like elaborate Christmas spreads have their value in bringing people together, ornate trees in homes and cities are nice to look at, branded gifts are nice to have, and there is nothing like Christmas carols to ring in Christmassy vibes, let’s not lose sight of the opportunities we have in the uneventful and mundane moments of life to bring God’s good news to those in our lives.
As COVID-19 safety restrictions are being re-tightened around the world, and the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in large-scale Christmas gatherings remains a threat, we are the ones to bring God’s love to people where they are. We are the voice of indefatigable hope to those who are silently languishing. And we are the living proof of His salvation that has delivered us from the greatest danger humanity could ever face – eternal separation from God.
Ask God to show you how you can make this Christmas a shared experience that is special. It may be a personal visit to someone, kindness that someone needs, a forgiveness you need to humbly give or ask for, or whatever God leads you to do that is not what you would normally do by choice.
Jesus came in the most inconvenient circumstances, not to deliver a fairy tale but so that His love for humanity may be made real through you and I. How then will you celebrate your Christmas this year?
BeInReach wishes you and your family a Blessed Christmas!
This is a summary and reflection based on a virtual BIR session held on 18 Dec 2021.
