Dec. 21, 2009
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Unwrapping Christmas
From the Pulpit In the late 1800's no cure existed for the fatal disease of leprosy, which attacked the extremities of the body – the ears, toes, nose, and fingers. To prevent this disease from spreading and creating an epidemic, lepers were sent to a colony on the island of Molokai where they lived secluded and isolated lives. In 1873 a brave young priest named Father Damien volunteered to spend his life serving these lepers. He ministered to them by building hospitals, clinics, and churches. Twelve years after his arrival on Molokai, Father Damien contracted leprosy himself. He stood before the lepers and said, “My fellow lepers, I am one of you now.” With December 25 only a few days away, I'm sure Christmas is uppermost in your mind. I want to unwrap the purpose of Christmas by answering this question: What's the real meaning of Christmas? I can answer the question in one word – “incarnation.” I'm sure you haven't used this word recently in a text message or email. The word means “in flesh,” and the idea behind the word comes from the Bible verse John 1:14. “The Word (Jesus) became human and lived here on earth among us.” God became a flesh-and-blood human being, whom we know as Jesus Christ, the Son of God. What's the real meaning of Christmas? Jesus Christ became a human being. Jesus can stand before us and say, “I'm one of you now.” Humanity and Divinity were united in the person of Jesus who was and is fully God and fully human. How was this mystery accomplished? Through the virgin birth (Luke 1:34-35) the baby Jesus was conceived in the womb of Mary by the miraculous action of the Holy Spirit. As a human being, Jesus grew into manhood and faced the same temptations, pressures, and stresses that all people face with one important distinction. Whereas we often yield to temptation and violate God's standards (sin) Jesus never did. What's the real meaning of Christmas? Jesus identifies with us. Whatever ups and downs we go through in life, Jesus faced those same challenges. Can you recall a time when you felt no one understood what you were going through, what you were facing? Jesus did. Let me explain. Does Jesus understand grief? Sure. Jesus wept when His friend, Lazarus, died. Does Jesus identify with discouragement? Oh yes. When his mother gave birth to him she delivered in a stable filled with smelly animals. She didn't even have a nice warm bed in which to place the baby Jesus. What does Jesus know about being so stressed out that you can't sleep? The night before His crucifixion, He prayed with such agony that He sweated drops of blood. Can Jesus relate to me when I make plans that don't work out? You bet. His parents planned to stay in Bethlehem, but God said, “Go to Egypt.” Then when Mary and Joseph planned to return to Bethlehem, God said, “Now I want you to go to Nazareth.” Does Jesus understand pain and suffering? When the Roman's crucified Jesus they nailed His hands and feet to a cross. Can Jesus identify with single folks? Jesus never married. Can Jesus identify with married couples? He gave some of the Bible's best teachings about marriage (see Matthew 19:1-12). So what difficulties are you facing in your life today? What's your biggest need? Bring your troubles to Jesus this Christmas. Simon Peter, one of Jesus' helpers, put it this way: “Give all your cares and worries to Him, because He cares about what happens to you” (1 Peter 5:7). Gary Hardin is pastor of Enon Grove Baptist Church in Cedar Bluff. He and his wife, Linda, live in Centre. Comments can be sent to: garyhardin@tds.net. |