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by Peter Beck Ph.D.
Well, Christmas is just about upon us. Oh sure, there's still time to panic, to
go to Walmart at midnight and buy that one last, heartfelt, carefully considered
gift that the recipient probably doesn't need anyway. There will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth in this next week. And some will be disappointed no matter
what you give them. Unhappy holidays!
And, unfortunately, there will be much sadness as well. Myriads come to this
joyous season and can do nothing but remember lost loved ones and lost
opportunities. For folks like these, and others, Christmas isn't a time of
celebration, a season to remember, but another holiday to be endured. Melancholy
Christmas!
A sure remedy to these merriment maladies is to keep a proper focus on
Christmas. I'm not talking about family and friends, though they're important.
And, I'm not talking simply about the Baby in the manger (or those three wise
guys who don't belong in your nativity scene). I'm talking about the real reason
for the season. God became flesh and dwelt among us to provide salvation for
those who would trust in Him. He came on that midnight clear to create
worshipers of His eternal glory.
Thus, this Christmas, and every Christmas, we need to be reminded that Christ is
the greatest gift and worship is the only proper response. After all, worship
was the response of every actor in the very first Christmas drama.
Take for example, Mary's response to the revelation that she would miraculously
bear the Christ child. In Luke 1:46-55, in what is known as the Magnificat, Mary
responds to Gabriel's message by worshiping, not the angel, not the message, but
the Author — God (which, by the way, "magnificat" means, to magnify God).
Mary begins her hymn of God's praise with a proclamation of her recognition of
God's grace: "My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my
Savior." Then, Mary gives voice to her praise as she considers the reasons she
has to worship Him.
She worships because of God's great love. She realizes that her humble estate,
as His bondslave, does not merit His grace. Yet he loves her anyway and she
praises Him. (v. 48)
She worships because of God's great work. She knows that it is by God's grace
great things have been done for her. (v. 49a)
She worships because of God's greatness. "Holy is His name," she rejoices. God
is great and greatly to be praised. (v. 49b)
She worships because of God's great mercy. His mercy, she reminds us, is upon
generation after generation of those who fear Him. He had us on His mind when He
came 2000 years ago. (v. 50)
She worships because of God's great faithfulness. He tears down the prideful. He
rescues the lost. He does so, Mary reminds us, because of His covenantal
promises. Promises He voluntarily made. Promises He graciously kept. To God be
the glory. (vv. 51-55).
Mary had it right. She knew what was going on. She understood what the first
Advent was all about. And, she gave God the glory He sought then and seeks
today.
On Christmas day many folks will rejoice over gifts that will be long forgotten
come summer. Others will be disappointed. Still others will rejoice that the
holiday thing is over and behind them for another year. Yet, others will see
past the Christmas decorations, the symbols, the nativity scene itself, and
consider the reason for the season — Christ's substitutionary death for the
purpose of bringing worshipers to God. With them will you give God the glory? If
you will, it's sure to be a Merry Christmas!
Peter Beck (Ph.D. Southern Seminary) is assistant professor of religion at
Charleston Southern University in Charleston, South Carolina and a former Senior
Pastor.
Source: Christianity.com Daily Update
See Also:
From One Father to Another by Max Lucado
Dramatization of the thoughts of Joseph at Bethlehem - conversation/prayer with God.The Essential Message of Christmas by Greg Laurie
We need to remember the essential message of Christmas, which is Immanuel—God is with us. And for the hurting person, the lonely person, the sorrowing person, this is the time of year to bring the gift of encouragement to them and say, "The message of Christmas is: God will be with you. God will help you. God will strengthen you."The Audacity of Christmas by Mike Pohlman
Christmas marks the "fullness of time" when God, in his sovereign freedom, "sent forth his Son." The One who dispenses times and seasons determined that it was time to send forth the Son who had existed with the Father from eternity.
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