Choosing to Celebrate Even More!

Christmas is here, and we’re celebrating again. Food, presents, holiday movies, and family. At least those are the traditions for some. But why? And for those who have little to spend on food or gifts, who don’t like movies and, for whatever reason, aren’t connected with family . . .

What is there to celebrate?

It all centers around a theological word, INCARNATION. The term comes to us via Latin and was adopted by early Christian writers to describe what they read in John 1:14:

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

To incarnate literally means to “make flesh.”

God (the Word who is Jesus) who is pure Spirit performed the greatest miracle ever by taking on a human body as part of His eternal identity. And He started out just like every other human, in a woman’s womb, born as a newborn infant, helpless and vulnerable.

More Than a Sweet Manger Scene

But it is not just a baby we are celebrating. The holy, eternal Creator of the world changed everything when He took on human flesh. He declared by this action that humans, no matter how broken and lost, are valuable to Him. Flesh, physicality, and the human body were made sacred by this amazing act of humility – Spirit putting on flesh.

It confounds all logic and sense of appropriateness.

All the reasons we have to loathe our bodies, whatever the stage of aging, disease, or deformity in which we find ourselves, are declared void with this single act. Our Creator endured and suffered everything in His flesh just like we do — pain, sadness, confusion, injustice, temptation, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). But instead of all the human fleshly rottenness, confusion, and sin consuming Him, it all worked backwards. His eternal goodness, value, and love was injected into humanity and made a way for human flesh to now be given back its value, its sacredness, and made holy.

Celebrating a Lasting Hope

We have a legitimate reason to believe that the way things are right now is not the way they are going to stay – all because of Christmas! Our flesh will be resurrected into something glorious, eternally incorruptible, and yet very physical (like that of Jesus). All that is necessary to access this eternal hope is a mustard seed of faith and a truckload of humility to say, “I need you, Jesus; I trust you, Jesus, to save me.”

The power and beauty of Easter’s Resurrection story rests firmly on the mind-blowing miracle of the Incarnation! Without Christmas there would be no Easter, and there would be no hope.

So, celebrate hard! Know that as we put our trust in the wonderous truth that God so loved the world that He sent His Son (the Word incarnate) into the world, we can be saved.

Saved from the fears of an unknown future.

Saved from the guilt of our sin and the shame of always feeling there’s something wrong with me.

Saved from the despair of a seemingly meaningless life.

Saved from living as a victim of other people’s decisions.

Saved from the hatred of my own physical body.

Saved from having to create my own identity.

Jesus, the eternal Lord and Creator has become a human and can therefore identify with every struggle we find ourselves in. Celebrate! We are not alone and do not have to walk through it alone!

So, let’s stop and thank Him for this season of remembrance. Regardless what you have to eat, whether you receive a wrapped present or not, whether you watch any holiday shows, and whether or not all your family relationships are healthy, you have a reason to celebrate. He has come to us. And if you open your heart to this historical fact and receive Him in faith, you can experience salvation and move forward.

Joy to the world! The Lord has come!

Oh, come let us adore Him! Christ the Lord.

Merry Christmas!

Response:

• What am I celebrating this Christmas Season?
• What does the Incarnation of God becoming flesh do for me?
• How can I adore Him, worship Him, and celebrate Him this year?
• Jesus, you are Immanuel, God with us! Thank you!