As I celebrate Christmas today I will be celebrating in a 'worldy', and I guess, pagan sort of way. For me, Christmas is really a day for sharing and giving and being together with those we love. It's a time to put family differences aside and be whole heartedly connected with our loved ones. Of course it is a time when I ponder the birth of Christ. It's an amazing miracle of God and I'm thankful for His birth because without that there would be no saving Grace. But I don't put the emphasise on it like so many of the mainstream Christian churches do. The birth of Christ, unfortunately, has become almost like idol worship. The little baby gets worshipped as a mere cute little baby, Mary gets honoured like she was a holy being {as opposed to the normal sinful human that she really was} and Joseph ends up looking like this kind hearted man who helped out the poor Mary who was carrying a child out of wedlock. The nativity scene becomes the emphasise. Frankincense and mur, donkeys and sheep a lowing and the star are what's highlighted. These things are part of the Christmas story, of course. But they are so not the focus of the gospel nor the heart of God's purpose for bringing Christ to the earth.
Yes, His birth is extremely important and relevant and essential to understand and know and believe. But it is His death on the cross and his shed blood, then His rising from death to life that made Him the one and only perfect substitute for sin {separation from God}. He was God in human flesh and He was born in a manger and He lived the life of a boy and then a teenager and then an adult. He walked on this earth and was tempted just as we are but He was perfect and sinless, He was God. He is God. He gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice and substitute for sin for His people, those whom would believe in him.
It's every day that I remember and am thankful for the whole story. Christ, the risen Lord, the saviour and the redeemer. That is a daily thing that I am thankful for. It's not just a once a year thing nor a thought about a baby in a manger, for us.
So this Christmas, when I think about the baby born in the manger my thoughts don't stop at the cute little oohing and gooing baby. I think of a sovereign Lord, an almighty God and gracious and merciful Father, the Creator of this universe who was born and who walked and who died and who rose again to save His people from certain death and sin and to give them life eternal.
I'm so thankful for this Grace. I'm so thankful that the story doesn't end with a baby in a manger. I'm so thankful that the whole story was played out and that God fulfilled His promise in Christ.
Merry Christmas to you all x
4 comments:
What a great perspective - hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas!
Hi Kim,
I love your photo. Have you had your hair cut differently? It really suits you. I also love the bird picture at the top. They are so cute. How are things going with the sale of your nest and buying/creating a new nest? Would be great to catch up soon.
Love Julie M xxoo
Thanks, K! Lovely to have you visit:)We had a great Chrissy. Will post soon.
Yes, Julie. I've had my hair all cut off. Phew! It's been a long time coming. I'm feeling a little more like the old me. Now to shed some of those extra kilos and I'll be right back on track. I feel like a cracked record! LOL
Will post about the purple nest stuff soon. xx
What a unique perspective Kim- I hadn't thought of it like that!
I do think that Christmas over-commercialised EVERYTHING, including Jesus, which is such a shame.
Christianity is definitely about remembering the gift of Jesus, and the way he conqured sin ALL the time, not just at Christmas. :-)
Thanks for sharing your perspective!
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