The Music of Christmas, Day 19

 Serenade

Read Matthew 2:1-9
“Where is he who was born to be king of the Jews? 

For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” – the Magi

The wise men. Iconic and mysterious members of the Christmas cast. These sage travelers from a distant land followed a star, defied a tyrannical king, and stood among the few who recognized the Christ child. What’s even more intriguing is their aid in rescuing Jesus from Herod. They are to the Christmas story what secret agents are to a spy movie!

 

Bible students have wondered and speculated about the origins of this mysterious group of truth seekers. Based on Matthew’s account, the men had been watching for something, or someone, that many in Israel had long forgotten. The shepherds who worshipped Jesus that night received specific instructions from a heavenly chorus. The Easterners, as far as the Bible records, had no such instruction. They came from people who knew of an ancient prophecy and had faithfully waited and watched the sky, generation after generation. But how did they know, specifically, to follow the star? Who told them where it would lead?

 

The only possible answer is found in the Old Testament. Six hundred years before Jesus’ birth, King Nebuchadnezzar, the Assyrian king of Babylon, invaded Jerusalem and carried hundreds of Jews into captivity. Among those captives were four young men: Daniel, Hananiah, Michael, and Azariah (better known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego). These four individuals achieved prestige while in captivity, securing significant positions of influence among Babylonian authority. In Daniel 5:11, we discover that Nebuchadnezzar made Daniel “chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers.” In other words, Daniel was the appointed leader of the Magi.

 

Assuming the Easterners who followed the star to Bethlehem were actually Persians hailing from Babylon, it stands to reason that their knowledge of a coming king was handed down from Daniel, a Hebrew. We don’t often associate Daniel with the Christmas story, but maybe we should. This faithful servant who, as a teenager, was forcibly taken by the enemy and then lived his entire life in captivity awaiting a Savior. Daniel’s godly character and integrity set him apart, and as he grew older, he also rose in authority. However, his accomplishments never distracted him from searching for the redemption of his people. Given the character Daniel demonstrated, it seems likely that he “passed the baton” to his protégés -- the elite group of Magi that he led -- in searching for the Messiah.

 

Daniel died having never seen the star. It’s easy to picture Daniel, as long as he had breath, teaching generations of young astrologers to recognize the signs, to pray, and to watch vigilantly for the movement of God. Six hundred years after Daniel’s death, his hope was realized. The Christ had come. Meanwhile, Jewish leaders living in Jerusalem, serving in the temple courts, and well-versed in the prophecy failed to look skyward. Only an old priest and a widow recognized the Christ child within easy reach. (see Luke 2:22-38)

 

We often take the obvious for granted. Christians across the Western Hemisphere have multiple Bibles, likely all gathering dust, while people groups in Asia have no translation in their native tongue. Church goers in America stay home when it rains, while their Chinese and African brothers and sisters gather in secret, many hiding from a tyrannical government. Those of us familiar with the Christmas narrative seem inoculated to its power.

 

What are you doing this Christmas to look up from the busyness and distractions of the season? When is the last time you did a little star gazing? Or praying? Is it possible that those far removed from holiday excess can see Jesus in ways we cannot? If the star had shone directly above our heads, would we have missed it, too? Or maybe, like Daniel, you’ve been patiently waiting, anticipating, gazing toward the heavens, and waiting on God. So, here’s a question for you, faithful watcher: are you inviting the next generation to lift up their heads? Though you may not live to see it, those young star gazers may one day kneel with you at His feet.

 

 

Light of the World,

 

Jesus, You are the Light of the World, shining in the middle of our darkness. 

As the wise men watched the sky and followed the star, may we, 

Your people, turn our eyes toward heaven. 

May we follow Your light to walk the road of faith. 

As Daniel faithfully waited and told younger generations about Your salvation, 

may we be found faithful to point others to the light of Your love. 

Shine on us, Lord Jesus, so that Your Light may shine through us.
Amen.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas, Day 20

 Rejoice and Sing

Read Matthew 2:9-12
And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, 

and they fell down and worshiped him.

One year, in an effort to fight the excess of Christmas in America, we decided to limit our children to get three gifts each. Jesus, as far as we know, received only three gifts from the wise men. So, if three was good enough for Him, it was good enough for the Webber kids. This was, in my humble opinion, a brilliant parenting moment. We even had biblical justification for our choice. While we were pleased with the decision, our kids and their grandparents were not.

But we failed to consider the quality and value of those three gifts. Gold was obviously valuable then as it is today, but what about the frankincense and myrrh? Both had a variety of uses in the ancient world—everything from incense and perfume to making sealant for a leaky boat. Myrrh was also used as an embalming fluid. Not exactly the kind of gift you’d expect from a baby shower. 

The pharaoh Hatshepsut, one of the world’s first female heads of state, first brought the myrrh tree to Egypt, centuries before Jesus’ birth, and had cornered the market on this valuable commodity. Frankincense and myrrh traded in the ancient middle east much the way oil does today. And in a world without common currency, travelling with valuable commodities like what the wise men possessed ensured that you could buy and trade with a variety of people, anywhere, anytime. 

While Matthew is specific about the three gifts, he does not specify the number of magi who brought them. With all due respect to the beloved Christmas carol “We Three Kings” there could have been any number of travelers in that caravan to Bethlehem. Rather than focusing on the specifics of the givers, Matthew chose to focus on the gifts laid before the infant king. He may have done this for a few reasons, but one was to emphasize how far these men traveled to worship the King. These truth seekers gave Jesus their most valuable resources. The very assets needed to make the trip were what they left at His feet. It is possible they set out intending to give these as gifts, but it’s also possible they were so overwhelmed by the Son of God that they simply gave the most valuable thing they had – their traveling money. 

Authentic worship and overwhelming joy will do that. A full heart overflows in acts of unexpected and extravagant generosity. Consider the father throwing a lavish party for his prodigal son (Luke 15), or the woman who pours out her life’s savings in the form of oil on Jesus’ feet (John 12), or the widow throwing her last two pennies into the offering plate (Luke 21). These. and many others, demonstrate what can happen when a sincere worshipper finds himself or herself face to face with Jesus. 

These extravagant gifts would also serve a practical purpose. The wise men did not know at the time that, by making this sacrificial offering, they were also underwriting the holy family’s escape to Egypt, the ancient world’s center for trade and commerce, where frankincense and myrrh were the favored commodities. Too often, we underestimate the meaning and expense behind the wise men’s gifts on that first Christmas. Oh, and our feeble attempt to scale down Christmas in our home also failed to recognize the extravagant worth of our Savior. So, a few extra gifts may be under the tree this year.

 

 

Precious Jesus,

 

You are worthy of my very best offering. 

If I were a shepherd, I would surely have brought a lamb.

If I had been a wise man, I would have left my treasure at Your feet. 

Yet, You need none of these gifts. You, in fact, are the Gift and the Giver.

I lay my whole life on the altar before You as a living sacrifice. 

May it be holy and pleasing to You.
Amen.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas, Day 21

 March of Herod

Read Matthew 2:1-12
“Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, 

that I too may come and worship him.” – King Herod 

Every epic story has its signature villain. Think of Star Wars and Darth Vader, the White Witch in Chronicles of Narnia, or Sauren in The Lord of the Rings. In the movies, these evil masterminds all have their own ominous theme music to remind the audience of their evil intentions. The conflict between these villains and their heroic counterparts always boils down to a clash of kingdoms. One is clearly good, and the other is obviously evil. 

This pattern was first established in the Bible. The Kingdom of the Empire versus the Kingdom of God. Think of Pharaoh and Moses, the kings of Babylon and Daniel, Artaxerxes and Esther. And as the New Testament begins, we see it manifested in Herod and Jesus — a relationship that spans the entire length of the Gospel but begins with the Christmas story.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem during Herod’s reign. (Matthew 2:1) Ironically, Herod wasn't the rightful king of Israel. In fact, he wasn’t even Jewish. History records that Herod was most interested in building projects and galvanizing a strong economy. He rebuilt the temple to outstrip the size and grandeur of the original. He did this in order to both gain the approval of the Jews and seal his own legacy as a great king. Then he placed the Roman eagle atop its entrance in an obvious play to gain Rome’s favor. Herod was a snake.

So when magi from the east showed up in Jerusalem looking for the newborn king of the Jews (Matthew 2:2), Herod was “troubled” and took immediate action (Matthew 2:3-5). He knew there were prophecies of a true king, something he was not. This insecure king — who had killed his own children, wives, mother-in-law, and siblings to maintain power — summoned the magi under the ruse of claiming to join them in worship of this newborn king (Matthew 2:7-8). God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. God also warned Joseph about Herod’s evil plan. So, the magi headed home, and Joseph took his young family and escaped to Egypt where they remained until Herod’s death. 

But the passing of one Herod did not stop the march of his successors. 

 

Herod had three sons. Herod Antipas reigned in Galilee where he continued the hallmark insecurity and cruelty of his father. His most infamous act was the beheading of John the Baptist (Mark 6:14-29). After executing John, Herod turned his attention to Jesus (Luke 9:7-9). Now a full-grown man, Jesus of Nazareth was as much a threat to Herod Antipas as Baby Jesus of Bethlehem had been to his father, Herod the Great.

Jesus’ response to Herod Antipas? If you’re hoping for a cinematic smackdown enjoyed by movie heroes, when justice prevails and the “good guy” physically triumphs over the enemy, then be prepared for a plot twist.

While Jesus did acknowledge Herod (Luke 13:32-33), He never let his threats detour Him from His mission. Really, Jesus pretty much ignored Herod – something every bully hates. Even when the Pharisees brought Jesus before Herod for trial, Jesus made no answer (Luke 23:8-9). He understood that Herod was a truth-posers worshipping at Temple and observing the laws of the Hebrews only when politically or financially expedient. Herod wouldn't have minded Jesus if only He would have bowed down in submission. Most importantly, Herod Antipas knew what his father had known, and what Jesus also knew: there can only be one King. 

The spirit of Herod is still alive and threatened by the presence of Christ today. The desire to eliminate anyone or anything that threatens our earthly kingdoms marches onward. That which we cannot control we seek to eliminate. We must ask this simple but critical question: who reigns in our church and homes? Who is the reigning king of your heart? Are we paying homage to the Kingdom of Herod or of Christ?

Know the difference between these two Kingdoms. Understand that “Herod” will promise you the world but quietly seeks to destroy you in the process. Jesus, on the other hand, demands your total surrender and has sacrificed everything for your salvation. This Christmas, how will you respond to the Savior? Like Herod, or like those wise men who bowed at the feet of an infant king? 

 

 

King Jesus,

 

One day, every king will bow before You. One day, all the earth will see You in all Your glory, and the nations will bow down. Until that day, we are confronted with lesser kings who attract us with power and wealth. But all they possess is passing away, while Your Kingdom stands forever. Forgive me for choosing to worship lesser kings. Turn my heart away from the kingdoms of this world and toward You and Your everlasting Kingdom.
Amen.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas, Day 22

 Hymn of the Refugee

Read Matthew 2:13-15 
“Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt…” – an angel of the Lord

Exhausted, they had traveled for days. With very little money, they’d waded through crowded airports in multiple countries along the way. By the time they arrived in our city, it was night. Our small delegation had been waiting nearly an hour when the family appeared in the concourse. We had balloons, American flags, and handmade “welcome home” banners. We embraced these travelers like we had known them for years, though it was our first meeting.

 

Esther and her four children arrived from the Middle East as political refugees seeking asylum on the grounds of religious persecution. Esther had become a Christian against the will of her Muslim family. She had been threatened with death and bore the scars of her decision to follow Jesus. One night, Esther and her children escaped across the border and into a refugee camp. After much waiting and wanting, her application for asylum in the United States was granted. This is who we gathered to welcome to their new home and country.

 

According to the Pew Research Center, more than half of the people applying for asylum in the United States are Christians. Of the world’s nearly 214 million international migrants, 49 percent claim to follow Jesus. Does that surprise you? Even Jesus experienced political pressures and persecution. His followers have experienced the same. Years before His first miracle, His first sermon, or calling the first disciple, His family was forced to escape their home country. And to run for their very lives.

 

Herod, determined to eliminate anyone he perceived as a threat, held ferociously to his power. Yet the Magi disobeyed his orders to report the location of the one born to be “king of the Jews.” Herod’s response to such dissent was brutal. But first, before he ordered the slaughter of hundreds of innocents, an angel warned Joseph to move his family to Egypt. Joseph faithfully obeyed and Jesus became, quite literally, the first Christian refugee. 

 

Throughout the Old Testament, fleeing to Egypt was seen as an act of desperation on the part of God’s people. Abraham did it (Genesis 12:10), as did his grandson Jacob (Genesis 46:3-4). Generations later, Jacob’s descendants went from being welcome guests to slaves. So God’s people remained in Egypt, enslaved, for 400 years (Exodus 1:8-14). The Exodus of Abraham’s descendants was an inaugural event for the nation of Israel. God rescued His people from the bondage of slavery. 

 

Matthew captures this history in a single reference to the prophet Hosea, who said, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” (Hosea 1:1) God’s chosen people lived as slaves and refugees in a foreign country for four long centuries. And after their deliverance, they spent forty more years wandering homeless through the desert. They would later suffer captivity in Babylon. Later still, they endured oppression and occupation by Rome.  Coming “out of Egypt” had come to represent the hope of final deliverance from all oppression and slavery. The people of Jesus’ day waited for God to send the Messiah, yes, but also expected the coming of another deliverer — a new Moses — to rescue them from bondage.

 

Like Moses, Jesus narrowly escaped the brutal infanticide planned by an evil king (see Exodus 2). Like Moses, Jesus escaped to a foreign land until He could return and begin the work God appointed to Him (Exodus 2-4). Like Moses, Jesus entered into the suffering, scorn, and oppression of those He had come to save. Like Moses, Jesus would lead His people out of an Egypt of their own making, a slavery to sin. But unlike Moses — whose battle against political tyranny did little to release people from the bondage of sin — Jesus came to bring a freedom no government can give and no tyrant can revoke.

 

Esther and her children now enjoy freedom in America, not because of political asylum, but because a Savior who suffered the oppression of our sin and shame to rescue us, once and for all.

 

 

God our Savior,

 

Thank You that Jesus set aside His rights as God and took on the nature of a slave to make me free. Today, all across this planet, millions of people cry out, desperate for deliverance -- deliverance from tyranny, oppression, injustice, and sin. Your own Son lived as a refugee, fleeing evil men and corrupt governments. Lord, break my heart for the needs of those like You, Your fellow sojourners and aliens. Remind me every day that what I do for the least of these I do for You.
Amen.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas, Day 23

 Ramah’s Lament

Read Matthew 2:16-18
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

After realizing that the Wise Men had betrayed him, Herod was filled with rage. His anger, mingled with intense insecurity and paranoia, resulted in an act of unbelievable horror. This dark detour in the Christmas story is overlooked for several reasons. Let us consider two.

 

For centuries, critics have asserted there is no historical evidence for this event. Many of these critics suspect that this story is a literary embellishment meant to compare Jesus to Moses (see Exodus 1 and 2). Critics also argue that, if such a horrific thing had happened, there must exist some extra-biblical evidence to validate Matthew’s claim. We can discount this critique for several reasons. First, the absence of extra-biblical material cannot be used as evidence either for or against the historical accuracy of any biblical event. The Bible itself is a historical document used by scholars of all faiths. With numerous examples of historians validating ancient history based on a sole source, we can argue that those single sources are far less reliable than the New Testament. 

 

Moreover, the event described in Matthew 2:16-18 is entirely consistent with what is known about Herod the Great. During Herod’s reign, he not only murdered three of his sons, he also oversaw the execution of his mother-in-law and his “favorite” wife, one of ten. But perhaps most telling of all, when Herod learned he was dying, he arranged for the mass arrest and assassination of dozens of respected Jewish leaders. He did this to ensure sufficient weeping and public mourning of his death. In this brief devotional, we cannot cover the many well-documented examples that demonstrate the consistency of Matthew’s account. Still, we can have every confidence that Herod’s atrocity against the infant boys in Bethlehem happened. 

 

Another reason this story is often overlooked is the offensiveness of mingling the images of a brutal massacre of innocent babies with the celebration of Messiah’s birth. Scrubbing the nativity clean requires less talk of refugees, political oppression, teenage pregnancies, and infanticide. However, these are as much a part of the narrative of Christmas as are the angel chorus, shepherds, and wise men. Our porcelain nativities and church plays would never be the same if we included the full story of what happened in the little town of Bethlehem.

 

I often question whether our culture has lost the ability to grieve loss and lament suffering. Gone are the days when people “sat in sackcloth and ashes” or ripped their garments apart in anguish. We sanitize death. We hide it in nursing homes, hospitals, and morgues. Who wants to see the suffering of people in Majority World countries when we can celebrate the wealth and comforts of our rich and prosperous nation? Is society’s inability to grapple with suffering and grief manifesting itself in higher levels of depression, anxiety, mental health disorders, and suicide? 

 

It’s hard to reconcile innocent children dying because of Jesus, but from Matthew’s perspective, that is exactly what happened. This stark display of sin is a reminder of our need for a Savior. Jesus’ arrival in Bethlehem did not result in the instantaneous elimination of evil. As angels sang and shepherds worshipped, all hell was breaking loose. Forces that had long controlled the kingdoms of this world did all they could to quell the coming redemption. The babies of Bethlehem became the first of many soul-piercing sacrifices in a war against our eternal separation from God. Those sweet babies would not be the last to die. In fact, the one baby Herod wanted dead would eventually breathe His last on a Roman cross. It was that death—Christ's sacrifice—that secured victory over the dark forces of sin, death, and the grave.

 

Maybe Christmas comes with a painful memory of loss and unspeakable grief as it surely did for the mothers of Bethlehem. You understand that sorrow, that pain because you have lived it in some way. We have done you a disservice by leaving this part of the Christmas story out. Grief and loss are embedded into the remembrance of Jesus’ birth. After all, that is the whole reason He came. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

God of all Comfort,

Lord, I confess my profound grief, knowing that You are familiar with my suffering. I see the sights and sounds of the holidays and am tempted to hide my pain, but You, O God, are not ashamed of my brokenness. You have not turned Your face away from the plight of humanity. You have looked upon our pain and have wept with us. Thank You for the promise of comfort that is to come. I await Your return and the coming of Your Kingdom when You will wipe away every tear. Until that day

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas, Day 24

 Recitations of a Lost Boy

Read Luke 2:41-52
“Why were you looking for me? 

Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” – Jesus 

 

Two of the four Gospels give us details about Jesus’ birth and infancy. All four Gospels give us accounts of His life after 30, but very little is known about the 28 years between the magi visiting Jesus in Bethlehem and His baptism at age thirty. Today’s scripture reading is the one and only interruption in this prolonged silence. But why this particular scene? Wouldn’t the death of Joseph have been more worthy? Or that moment when Jesus first recognized His ability to perform miracles? With so many questions and so little information about Jesus’ early life, why would Dr. Luke, a careful researcher and historian, have only included this one boyhood encounter between Jesus, His bewildered parents, and Jerusalem’s religious establishment?

 

It was the Jewish custom that a boy would begin a more formal study of Torah and his family trade at age 12. It’s at this point that a boy is considered bar mitzvah or a “son of the law.” His formal education was delivered in the rabbinical style of learning through the forming of questions. Rather than answering questions asked, the goal was to show comprehension by answering with another, deeper question. That day in the temple, twelve-year-old Jesus amazed the rabbis. His questions displayed a complete understanding of two critical realities — the identity of His true Father and His mission on earth. 

 

First, Jesus clearly identified Himself as the Son of God: “’Why were you searching for me?' He asked. 'Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?'” (Luke 2:49) Notice the contrast between Jesus’ use of "my father" in this verse and Mary’s use of "your father" in verse 48. Jesus chose this occasion, on the brink of manhood, to tell His parents that He knew the identity of His real Father. It wasn’t Mary who revealed to Jesus the true nature of His divine conception. It was Jesus who explained it to Mary. 

Second, Jesus was a son with a mission to complete. And by age twelve, He was already in His Father’s house, getting down to business. Notice three striking similarities between this scene and the events that led up to His death. First, Mary and Joseph returned to find Jesus on the third day. Second, these events took place in Jerusalem where, 20 years later, Jesus will be accused, tried, convicted, and killed, perhaps by the same teachers who marveled at the boy. Most of the action takes place inside the very Temple about which Jesus would say, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19) That temple was only a shadow of what Jesus would do on the cross. Lastly, Jesus uses the phrases, “didn't you know” and “it is necessary,” phrases He repeated before returning to Jerusalem to face crucifixion. This rare account from Jesus' boyhood foreshadows His ultimate mission as the Savior of the world … a mission that only He seemed to understand.

Often, those who should have known Jesus best did not recognize Him for who He was or what He came to do. Consider His disciples: even after repeated reminders they seem shocked and confused by His death and in complete disbelief at His resurrection. Even His own mother seemed confused throughout most of His life (see day 14). Luke’s Gospel begins with Mary’s confusion at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:19 & 48-51) and ends with the confusion of His disciples at His resurrection (Luke 24).

Bottom line: your ability to understand God is not what will save you. But your faith in Him will. If you feel like you desperately need clarity, or possibly a messenger from God, try simply trusting Jesus instead. And remember, if the people who should have known Him best failed to recognize Him or understand His meaning, it stands to reason that we may not either. Our goal should not be to emerge from confusion, but to seek Jesus in the midst of it, and to trust Him there. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12)

All Knowing Father,

 

You are infinite while I am so limited. But in Your divine grace and mercy, You are patiently revealing Yourself to me through Jesus. Open my eyes to see You through His life, to hear You through His words, and to know You in His death and resurrection. Help me to walk by faith and to know that all Your fulness if revealed in Him.
Amen.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas, Day 25

 Crescendo of Man

Read Luke 2:39-52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

 

 

Our children were born at the dawn of the digital and social media age. From the time they were young, we took pictures of them with electronic devices, stored them on “the cloud,” and shared them with family on social networks. While there is plenty to criticize about modern technology, one thing we’ve enjoyed is the daily memories pop-up on our social feeds. Every photo taken on that date from previous years is replayed. This virtual memory loop reminds us of how quickly our kids have grown, how fast time passes, and just how old we’ve grown.

 

While much has changed since the birth of Jesus, the basic development of a child has not. The rate of a child’s physical and cognitive development is astounding. Kids take in millions of pieces of new data and are continuously learning and processing information. Luke points out how Jesus was no different from any other child in that way. He was born, grew, and developed as does every human. This may seem too obvious to mention, but the transformation of the unchanging, one true God is worth mentioning. He did not remain in the manger forever and neither did He stay in the grave.

 

Of the four Gospels, the account written by Luke is the only one to mention the physical growth and development of the Christ child. This isn’t surprising since Luke was a physician by trade. I’m guessing he was intrigued by Jesus’ physical existence. The details of His immaculate conception, the reality of His physical and cognitive development, and later, the nature of His resurrected body, are all part of the narrative the good doctor weaves together.

 

And obvious as it may seem, the simple reality—that Jesus grew and developed or that He was both fully man and fully God—has confounded theologians for centuries. For Jesus to be fully man, He had to grow, develop, mature, and learn like any child. For Jesus to be fully God means He is infinite, self-existing, without origin, immutable, unchanging, and self-sufficient. If you have raised a newborn, you likely know his or her origins and parentage. You understand that the child will grow and change, and may have prayed that certain stages of life would pass more quickly than others. Certainly, you did not expect your child to be self-sustained from birth. Let’s be honest, you may wonder if your kids will ever move out and become completely self-sufficient. How could Jesus be both, a fully-human-fully-God paradox? To deny that He grew and learned is to deny His humanity. To accept that He experienced the natural development of a child seems to question His divinity. 

 

It is a paradox to be accepted more than a riddle to be solved. One of the important realities of the Incarnation (God taking on flesh) is how it proves God’s sacrificial love for us. He was willing to limit Himself to all the frailties and weaknesses of a human body to live among us and to walk beside us. Our limitless God accepted many limitations to free us from the one insurmountable limitation of the human condition: sin. 

 

The humanity of Christ is an example, too. The Bible teaches that no temptation we face defeated our Lord. He overcame them all. When God created the first man and woman, they were perfect in design and flawlessly made. And only humans are made in His image. Humanity is the pinnacle of God’s creation. Remember, God looked over Adam and Eve and said, “It is very good.” (see Genesis 1:26-31) But sin left scars and distorted God’s perfect creation. We have never been as fully human as we were before the fall of man. The world has never seen humanity as it was intended. Not until Jesus came and modeled it for us. The growth and development of the human body and mind are not evidence of our weakness but proof of God’s design. Jesus did not come to make himself like us. He came to make us like Him.

 

This brings us to the whole point of Christmas. Jesus is the crescendo of humanity. What was diminished by sin, Jesus has restored through His birth, life, death, and resurrection. When we surrender our lives to Him – when He is born in us – we become more human than we have ever been. The divine image is restored as Jesus lives in and through us. Christmas was the beginning of a revolution. Not a digital revolution but a revolutionary transformation of humanity. What began as one small cry in a manger is now a growing chorus of believers being transformed into the image of Christ. 

 

 

Abba,

Thank You that in Jesus I can see an example of what it means to grow in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and men. Give me the courage to seek those places where, through Your strength, I might continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.