A little girl was examining a Christmas crib with her grandmother and commented, ‘Grannie, it’s really nice, but there’s one thing that bothers me: is the baby Jesus ever going to grow up? He’s the same size He was last year!!’ The birth of Jesus must be the most well-known birth in the world, but are we really growing in our understanding of this story?
The angels announced, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.’ (Luke 2: 10,11). The birth of a baby is a time of great joy and excitement and Jesus’ birth is good news for all people! He is none other than the king of the universe, who has come as our Saviour. To experience this joy, we must let go self-centredness and living as our own saviour. His deliverance and wholeness is a real cause for joy!
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’ (Luke 2:14). We may feel anything but peace with God, ourselves, or even with those closest to us at Christmas. How can a Jewish infant born to a peasant family in first century Palestine be the source of peace between God and man in the 21st century? Jesus came to establish such peace through His death on the cross. Trusting the Prince of Peace in our lives brings peace with God. If we ignore this message of Christmas, we won’t benefit from it. As the carol says, ‘Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her King.’