CHRISTMAS GLORY – SHORT MEDITATION FOR CHRISTMAS
Let us begin with a little poem. This is an acrostic poem with Bethlehem the theme.
[C]. Christ was born in Bethlehem one starry summer night;
[H]. Huddled in a manger’s space with animals in sight.
[R]. Rejects from a comfort inn, they were in God’s own care,
[I]. In safety kept by angels where evil would not dare.
[S]. Shepherds were the heralds of a message most supreme -
[T]. To God, glory in the highest; Christ is heaven’s theme.
[M]. Mary, the appointed one, set for the Saviour’s birth,
[A]. And blessed among women who have ever lived on earth.
[S]. Sent by angels, shepherds came to greet the Christ child’s peace.
[G]. Glory to God in the highest, where joy will increase.
[L]. Love of God that sent the Saviour, shone with heaven’s light;
[O]. Ordained by God in human flesh, Jesus gives us sight.
[R]. Rejoice in this eternal fact – “Good news of great joy.”
[Y]. Your eternal salvation – none can ever destroy.
Ron Ferguson 14 December 2025 13 throughout AA etc.
Some people only ever think of Jesus at Christmas time, and even then it is a passing thought, certainly with nothing extra, because to look further into it, might demand a commitment or acknowledgement of the fact.
Jesus came, not just to be a happy Christmas story in some manger 2 030 years ago, but His coming had a much deeper significance for the entire world, and we must be serious here – His coming has the deepest significance for eternity. By the Lord Jesus Christ, men will stand or fall.
Jesus Himself gave the reason why he came to this earth from the glory of heaven – {{John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I CAME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND MIGHT HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY.”}}
It is this abundant life God wants to impart to every man and woman but not one will be coerced or forced. As Christ came into the world willingly, so then must mankind turn willingly to God in repentance for salvation.
I said a bit earlier that Christ’s coming has the deepest significance for eternity. There are only two positions in this matter and my favourite prophet sets them out – {{Jeremiah 21:8 You shall also say to this people, “Thus says the LORD, Behold, I SET BEFORE YOU THE WAY OF LIFE AND THE WAY OF DEATH.”}}. Those who refuse the Child of Bethlehem pursue the way of death, but those who commit to Him as personal Saviour, walk the way of life.
There is not another way. There are only two. To reject Jesus Christ is to adopt the way of death. The world in general likes to keep Jesus in the manger, happy about that, because all He said as a Man is too compelling for them. In the manger is out of sight, and out of sight, means no commitment necessary. It is the greatest delusion of the devil.
Jesus came with a human birth in order for us to have a heavenly birth. Without the first there could not be the second. Here is a verse – {{John 16:28 “I came forth from the Father, AND HAVE COME INTO THE WORLD. I am leaving the world again, and going to the Father.”}}. Jesus came from the Father into the world, but He was to return to the Father, and into the Father’s presence, He will bring us, all at the appointed time, for our times are in His hands. {{Psalms 31:14-15 but as for me, I trust in You, O LORD. I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand. . . .”}}
At Bethlehem, Jesus came in the perfect quietness of a humble birth. He has two future comings (Rapture and Second Coming) though sadly some dismiss the Rapture. One is in the air and the other will be on earth. Let us look at the Second Coming. In stark contrast to His first coming He comes in glory with great power. Revelation 19 sets this out, as does Matthew 24.
Jesus came in flesh as perfect Man though in infant form. In death, He took our penalty and we will never undergo the wrath of God – EVER! That is why the Church will never be in the Tribulation, which is God’s poured out wrath. Jesus Christ took sin’s wrath for us.
Christmas is a mixed consideration for all His saints. The celebration of His birth is joy, for His birth means His death, and His death is our salvation. Christmas is the reason for Christ's coming. On the other hand the abuse of Christmas with its godlessness and profanity and irresolute behaviour, is a thing of great regret.
That is no surprise because as there was no room for the holy family in the inn, then there is no room in men’s hearts for the very same Saviour.
I will close with an old hymn that takes me back many decades. The words are considered outdated by some but the message is always relevant:-
{{Luke 2:7 “and she gave birth to her first-born son, and she wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger because there was NO ROOM for them in the inn.”}}
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
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Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
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The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
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Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
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When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee."
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.
Baptist Hymnal, 1991
