The Mystery and Miracle of Christmas
Bishop Lalachan. M. A
Christmas is loaded with expectations. It is a busy time of the year. The traffic is heavy on the streets. The stores are full of people looking and buying gifts. Christmas Trees and stars are being put up and decorated with flashy decorations. The streets of cities are flashing with pretty lights. Typically we knock ourselves out trying to make it the "perfect" Christmas. Little boys and girls are looking for Santa Claus, and it seems everyone is trying to spread cheer and promote good will. We sing old hymns and familiar carols, we show love for others in the giving of gifts, and we observe the hallowed traditions that make the season special. Christmas brings wonder and joy, generosity and peace. It is a season of visiting friends and family, giving presents, and happy smiles on the faces of children. Christmas is the marvelous story of the birth of Jesus. Bible narrates the story in the Gospel of Luke.
The story begin in the little town of Bethlehem in Israel over 2,000 years ago, a baby was born whose life was destined to affect countless millions. In those days the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph and the very pregnant Mary would have had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, as this was town that Joseph’s family, originally came from - a journey of about 112 kilometers. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn that babe was Jesus. We learn from his birth that Lord Jesus did not come to a palace with marble halls and carpeted stairs. No luxurious bed chamber was prepared for His birth. Neither nurses nor doctors were attendance. Cathedral bells failed to toll; bands were silent; no royal choruses burst forth in song. He came to a stable, and was laid in a manger. His mother had only the straw for a bed. But little did the world know that this babe, through His birth, life, teaching, death and resurrection would have a greater influence on humanity than the birth and death of any other man in history. Christ is the central figure of all history and worshipped by countless millions, both dead and living, and untold multitudes are looking forward to the time when he will come again according Hs promise. Christmas began in the heart of God. It is only complete when it reaches the heart of man.
Christmas is the beginning of a classic true story with all the right Ingredients: love, joy, peace, goodwill, reconciliation and relationship. These are all the beautiful things that Christmas signifies. The words “Peace and Goodwill” are familiar to anyone who knows the Christmas story, “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth among men with whom God is well-pleased.” (Luke 2:14) With these words a multitude of angels praised the Almighty at the time of the miraculous birth of Jesus and it still rings true today. God has not changed and His plan for peace and good will has not changed. That is the key to peace on earth, peace between nations, and peace in a family: Peace on earth among men with whom God is well-pleased.
The supernatural events ever seen on earth began with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Before Christ was born, His coming was announced by an angel. The heavenly messenger used the name ‘Emmanuel’ for Christ, which means ‘God with us.’ This is the greatest manifestation of love the world has ever seen. During His 33 odd years on earth Christ healed the sick, fed the hungry, and comforted the broken hearted and raised the dead. Yet His greatest act was His sacrifice on the cross for the sins of a world gone astray from its Creator. Miracles surrounded Christ’s birth and continued throughout His earthly ministry to bear abundant testimony that “truly He was the Son of God” .In addition to Jesus supernatural birth, He lived a supernatural life, died a supernatural death, arose from the dead, and returned to Heaven by supernatural power. Jesus Christ was, and is, the eternal God. Why, then, did Christ leave the glory of Heaven to be born in Bethlehem and eventually to die on the cross? It was all because of God’s supernatural love for mankind, a love that extends far beyond any human love. The Bible explains that, “For God so loved the world, that, He gave His only begotten Son, that, whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (Jn.3: 16)
Jesus came to reveal God to us. He was the greatest missionary of all time. He came on the greatest mission we can think of. He left His heavenly abode and exalted position to be born as a baby on earth. By doing this He has given us the hope of being delivered from our selfish and destructive ways. That is why on the first Christmas night, an angel announced, "I give you the Good News of Great Joy. For there is born unto you this day in the city David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11) God – incarnate – is God in flesh and blood. He has become one of us! This is a miracle that by itself is larger than any. Of all the gifts that were ever given one stands out clearly as the absolute best and most precious gift given for all time. That was when God, our Creator, whose name the angel proclaimed was Emmanuel, meaning “God with us,” came to earth as a man, the Lord Jesus Christ, and He sacrificed Himself for the sins of the entire world that man might have eternal life and heaven. God gave Himself for the redemption of His creation. This is the greatest demonstration of love the world has ever seen. Hence this is the most joyful day of the year for Christians, because it celebrates the birthday of Jesus Christ, the One who saves us from our sins. That is why He is called Savior, God’s ultimate love-gift to the world. Christians believe that Jesus’ birth was the incarnation of God on earth, opening the door to new hope and eternal life. C. S. Lewis said it well: "The Son of God became a man that men might become sons of God." God became a man so that you might become God’s child. Now that is true Christmas and something worth celebrating. ”As Isaiah prophesied seven hundred years before His birth: “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us . . . And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
The birth of Jesus was unprecedented, unimaginable, and unequaled. Jesus became our kinsman-redeemer by becoming man and remaining God. Jesus was absolutely perfect in every respect to redeem us. He was perfect in His pre-incarnate state - - before He ever took on a body. He was perfect in His virgin birth. He was perfect in His sinless life. He was perfect in His atoning death at Calvary. He was perfect In His resurrection. He is now perfect in intercession for us in heaven, and He will be perfect in His second coming for us in the rapture and in ruling this earth in righteousness forevermore. Mahatma Gandhi said: “The gentle figure of Christ, so patient, so kind, so loving, so full of forgiveness that he taught his followers not to retaliate when abused or struck but to turn the other cheek – it was a beautiful example, I thought, of the perfect man.” During this busy Christmas season, let’s pause for a moment to examine the supernatural life of Jesus Christ and to wonder at God’s supernatural love for all people. Christmas reminds us that the values we share should far outweigh whatever differences there are among people. The twinkle of a child’s eye, the joy of a grandmother’s laughter, and the love in the hearts of mothers and fathers for their children -- all these blessings should be unwrapped on Christmas morning and then lived throughout the year. The true meaning of Christmas is not about man loving man-- The true meaning of Christmas is about God loving man. It is about God giving the most amazing and spectacular gift to reconcile the world.
Jesus Christ, as God’s only Son, came to Earth and gave His life so that we may live. His actions and His words remind us that service to others is central to our lives and that sacrifice and unconditional love must guide us and inspire us to lead lives of compassion, mercy, and justice. The true spirit of Christmas reflects a dedication to helping those in need, to giving hope to those in despair, and to spreading peace and understanding throughout the Earth. The best way to celebrate Christmas is to gratefully receive this precious and perfect gift from God. It means to invite Christ, God incarnate, into our lives and our hearts. We do this by renouncing violence and hatred, greed and selfishness and all the evil intentions and motives in our hearts and minds. Let us celebrate this Christmas praying and doing all we can to promote love, peace and goodwill among all people on earth. Let us give our resources to help the poor, the homeless and the voiceless. That is what Christ did. Then we will experience the joy of giving that is at the heart of Christmas spirit.
When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, the personal importance of His coming was emphasized. He said, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11).Have you ever thought that it was for you the Saviour was born? Do you realize that when God sent His Son into the world, He sent Him to become your Saviour.To receive the gift of God by faith you must believe that Christ actually was born to be your Saviour and that He died for your sins. Because He arose victorious over death, He offers you abundant, everlasting life. Won’t you receive the gift of God this Christmas? It can be your best Christmas yet! May the spirit of the season be with you today and throughout the New Year? Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and God bless you all.
The author is the Bishop of Believers Church, Patna Diocese
