There’s no shortage of half-hearted greetings and superficial slogans about Christmas. I don’t know how many people have wished me “happy holidays” or have hoped I have a “blessed and merry Christmas.” All this is good and appropriate. But are we in real danger of reducing Christmas to superficial sound bites.
The meaning of Christmas can be summed up in one incredibly brief statement: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” If this was our greeting instead of “happy holidays,” perhaps the season celebrations would have more depth to them. I am convinced that our understanding of Christianity stands or falls on what we believe about the statement, “The Word became flesh.” I would ask you a very serious question this Christmas season: Do you really believe the Word—God—became flesh?
I understand why people don’t believe it. Think of it: God—the Word—became a person and lived among us persons. It does seem to be a logically incompatible statement. If He’s God, He’s God; if He’s man, He’s man. But He certainly can’t be both at once. However, this logic assumes that we know everything there is to know about both God and human beings. And, if we don’t know everything about them, how can we possibly conclude that God becoming a person is impossible?
Today many people who don’t believe that the Word became flesh still celebrate Christmas. All of us want the festivities and the good feelings of the season. The light that comes from God through Christ shines on all people. But that does not mean that all people automatically live in the good of it. The sun shines on everybody, but some choose not to believe.
However, this fundamental truth requires more from us. If God has become a person, this presents a problem. Scripture says that in Christ we have seen the God of the universe. He has already been here. It’s one thing to think of an adorable baby surrounded by gentle beasts, but are we ready to deal with the reality of God living among us, revealing Himself to us?
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May the joy of the Lord live in your hearts today and always! Merry Christmas and a new and blessed New Year!
“I don’t know how, but I know WHO!”
Remember the reason for the season, Pastor Nelda
Disclaimer : The Advent Devotions are a compilation of Devotions written by pastors from all over the world.
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Reverend Dr. Nelda Barrett Murraine is Pastor at First United Methodist Kennedale 229 W 4th St. Kennedale, TX 76060
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