NATIVITY
(Part Two)
INTRODUCTION: The word, "nativity" comes from the Latin word meaning, "to be born". But Christmas isn't just about who was born, but also what was born. Last week we looked at how hope and peace were born when Jesus was born. Today we'll look at love and joy.
RECAP: Our hope was born on Christmas. The Jews had longed for the arrival of their messiah. The Jews had cried out to God, wondering when their deliverance would come. They knew the promises, they knew the prophecies and they held onto the hope of the glorious coming of that day. And then it happened, the Savior was born; hope was fulfilled. Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and said to God, "my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people." We, too, are waiting for our future hope; the second coming of Jesus. But it's a sure hope because we know that since hope was fulfilled when Jesus came the first time we can have confidence that it will happen again, just as Jesus promised. So, we wait in hopeful anticipation for Jesus' return so that we can be with him forever.
Our peace was born on Christmas. Jesus was called the Prince of peace. Because of our sin we are not at peace with God. We could not establish peace ourselves; we needed a peacemaker. Jesus, the sinless one, was that peacemaker. He was the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins. He died on the cross to pay our penalty; thus making peace with God through his blood. But we have to accept it; we have to put our faith in what Jesus did in order to be free. If I do there will not only be peace between me and God but also peace within myself because God's spirit lives in me. And not only will there be peace within myself, but I can also be a peacemaker for those around me. Hope and peace.
1) Love was born on Christmas Day. [video]
Disclaimer-not that love didn't exist until the day Jesus came into the world; love has always existed since God is love and therefore love has always been. But when Jesus was born it was the manifestation of God's love to us.
1st John 4:9-10, "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
Jesus' arrival signified God's love to the world. God showed us how much he loved us when Jesus was born. God and Jesus shared this oneness that you and I can only imagine. And then it came time for the two to become separated. It's like a parent and a child who share this inseparable bond and unbelievable closeness and then the child leaves to go on this mission to a faraway place. A place where the conditions would be unbearable (comparatively speaking) Remember, we're talking the difference between heaven and earth here.
And some of the people there would be very mean to him and no one would really appreciate the unbelievable sacrifice he was making. And then, knowingly, a part of mission would include torture, crucifixion and death. And this mission would include the depth of love you once shared with each other to become the complete opposite-hatred. You would turn your back on your own son, with whom you shared unexplainable intimacy with.
Knowingly, willingly, you let him go; not for your sake-but for the sake of those who weren't going to appreciate him and for those who would hate him. But you carry it out-because that's the depth of love you have for the people of earth. So it helps to take an all familiar phrase like, "God so loved the world" and contemplate what is really involved in God showing his love by sending Jesus.
What about Jesus' love? It's true that Jesus' love was there for us too. The father let him go but Jesus had to let go too. Phil. 2 talks about Jesus making himself nothing when he took on human form and becoming a servant. When he was with the Father he was part of the Godhead; he was the master, not the servant. But now he lowered himself by taking on human form and subjected himself to subservience. That's unbelievably humble and sacrificial. To make yourself lower to the one you were completely equal to is so humble. And on top of that, to subject yourself to serving your own creation is an unmatched sacrifice. It's such a poignant display of love.
And that's just in his willingness to come here; that's just in his desire to serve let alone his willingness to take on our sins and die. Now we're talking a whole new level of humility, sacrifice and love. Because in Jesus' willingness to go through the severe torture and then to expose himself to the extreme humiliation of crucifixion was so undignified that one would find it hard to believe that God would lower himself to such a depravity.
And let's not forget about the spiritual death; the spiritual separation Jesus suffered in becoming sin. Because Jesus became sin in taking on our sins the Father had to turn his back on him; had to despise him; had to separate himself from Jesus. The one with whom he enjoyed the closest bond now endured the starkest separation. All of this stemmed from his love that surpasses all understanding.
Some might say, "why did Jesus have to die; why not pay for our sins some other way?" Remember, Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, asking the Father that if there was some other way to please do that instead. But there wasn't. Why? What greater price could be paid? What greater display of love could be done? The Father and the Son made the most extreme sacrifice to show the most extreme love. No higher price; no greater act so that we could see how deep their love is for us.
And it all started when Jesus was born. When the Father and Son let go everything changed. Their relationship took on a new existence; Jesus began a whole new life. When Jesus arrived he brought love with him. The world hadn't really known the depth of love God had until Jesus came. Jesus showed God's love in his everyday life. He lived it out in practical ways for the people to see that what they thought love was is just a small fraction of what it really is all about.
Love goes above and beyond; love is about commitment and devotion. Love is about being all in. It's not flippant; it's not here today and gone tomorrow. That's not how love is; that's not how love works. The idea of love that is in the world today is not the true essence of love that exists in God's reality. Jesus' birth showed what love was all about. Jesus' life showed us what love was all about. Jesus' death showed us what love was all about.
2) Joy was born on Christmas Day. [video]
Disclaimer-again, not that joy didn't exist before Jesus was born. In fact, there is more occurrences of the word joy in the OT than in the NT. But when Jesus was born, the divine reason for joy had come into the world. What could be more joyous than the arrival of the Messiah? The angel declared that joy to the shepherds.
Luke 2:8-11, "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Good news; great joy-this is what describes the birth of Jesus. The cause for celebration had arrived. The reason for great joy was revealed. God's promise had been fulfilled; salvation had come.
There was one person who didn't even wait for Jesus to be born before he leaped for joy. John the Baptist and Jesus were cousins. When Mary went to visit John's mother, Elizabeth, Luke 1:44 says that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, John leaped for joy in her womb. The coming of Jesus was such good news that it even caused a baby in the womb to leap for joy. This was a sign of the great joy that would follow when Jesus would be born.
Speaking of OT scriptures with the word, joy, consider Psalm 30:11-12, "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."
As I shared last week, one of the wonderful things about the psalms is how heartfelt and poetic they are. And this one is no different. And, as with the verse from Psalms I shared last week had a literal and a spiritual meaning so does this one. David is remembering how God delivered him from his enemies. He describes the transition that took place in his heart. spiritually this is true as well. Before Christ came, in our sinful state we had no hope; we were in despair. Spiritually we were in a state of mourning (sackcloth). Without Jesus we our souls were wailing.
Jesus said in Matt. 11:28, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." I suppose they probably were weary and burdened physically but even more so spiritually. But when we turn to Jesus our wailing spirits turn into dancing ones; our mourning turns to singing. Instead of being clothed in despair we are clothed in joy. We are surrounded and filled with the joy of Jesus. And with this joy our outlook is brighter; our sense of purpose is renewed. We have warm hearts instead of cold ones. We are more positive and less cynical. Instead of walking around despondent we are living in the hope of the Spirit.
David said he would not be silent about this joy and neither should we be. In fact, if we have this joy I don't think we could help but show it. It doesn't mean we're always skipping down the street and doing cartwheels and being a cheerleader 24/7 but it will be evident. Our heart sings instead of mourns; we are thankful instead of bitter Changes take place and especially for those who know us in the before and after they will notice that there's something different about us. And for those who don't know us they will wonder what we're so happy about.
Because what is normal; what is natural-to go around with a disinterested or neutral look on our faces. Not greeting the stranger on the street when we pass by them. Griping about the weather or complaining about our boss or something else. That's what's normal. But when we're clothed with joy it's different. We might still get caught-up in doing some of the 'normal' behaviors sometimes but it won't be the norm anymore. We will smile and greet the person on the street. They might look at you funny and wonder what you're up to. But that's sad. When you smile and are friendly a person can automatically be suspicious or think you're weird.
But, some people will welcome it and appreciate it and be drawn to it. Whatever the reaction is we are committed to not contain the joy but to let it loose. Prov. 15:30a, "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart." I think we can say this the opposite way too, "A joyful heart brings a cheerful look". If my heart is full of joy it will show. And my cheerful look can bring joy to someone else's heart. When we exude joy we can impart joy. Sometimes all it takes to brighten someone's day is a smile. Joy shared can be grief spared.
And it's all possible because Jesus was born. Jesus' birth opened the door for joy because he is our joy. His salvation brings us joy because we are set free from sin's hold and sin's penalty. We have joy because we are at peace with God and can now have a relationship with him. And the joy within us springs forth into the lives of others. Vance Havner wrote, "Although the NT centers on the cross its note from beginning to end is one of triumphant joy. It begins with an angel chorus and ends with rejoicing around the throne."
Hope, peace, love and joy. That first Christmas wasn't just about who was born but also what was born. As we look ahead to the birth of Christ, let's meditate on all of these aspects.
