Christmas – The Love Story

Christians know the story of birth of Jesus, which is celebrated each year on December 24 and 25 around the world.

Told most clearly in the book of Luke, we know the virgin Mary became with child through the miracle of the Holy Spirit. We know about His humble birth in Bethlehem where He was gently wrapped in strips of cloth and laid in a feeding trough, because there were no guest quarters available for them. We know that at the same time, an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds watching their flocks by night, telling them the Good News of Jesus’ birth. And soon after, a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

This was the fulfillment of the greatest love story ever told: The One who created the cosmos, the all-powerful God of the universe, demonstrated His love for humanity by becoming human through His son, Jesus the Christ.

This Christmas season, the sins of this world ooze in around us: Choices that have destroyed relationships, divided families, and separated us from those we love. Covid, particularly the covid jabs, have led to broken homes and shattered lives. These choices have also separated many from the God who loves us.  

Christmas offers a time of reflection, for being grateful for what we have; for remembering and forgiving the past; for anticipating a better future. As we gather with friends and family throughout this holiday, make meaningful moments.  This year more than ever, we need to savor each memory, each hour with those we care about. We are never guaranteed tomorrow, but going forward we are truly unsure how many future gatherings we will have with friends and family, both young and old, especially the jabbed.

My thoughts turn to the loved ones who are no longer here. This Christmas, more than 20 million households worldwide are missing persons who have passed at the hands of the democide upon us. My heart is heavy for the millions of widows, widowers; I shed silent tears for the children who will grow up without one – or both – parents. My heart is even heavier for parents who lost a child this year because they accepted the lies as truth and trusted those wearing White Coats who lied about “safe and effective.” I pray the Lord will hold their hearts in His hand and give them comfort.

I just finished rereading the book, “The True Meaning of Christmas: The Birth of Jesus and the Origins of the Season,” by Michael Patrick Barber (Ignatius Press, 2021).

This passage tells so much (p.59)

In a homily delivered on Christmas Day in A.D. 454, Leo the Great said that this “surpasses the power of human eloquence.” The divine Son becomes part of the family of Adam so that the fallen children of Adam can again become part of the family of God. In this, true love is revealed.

As the Gospel of John famously puts it: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16). Christmas is above all else an invitation into this love by which the heavenly Savior descends from the heights of heaven to save humanity from the depths of sin.

He did not come for His sake, but for ours. Jesus came not only to set us free from sin, but to restore our direct communion with God the Father, the way we were originally made.

What should we do today and every day?

1 John 1:9-10

If we confess our sins, in His faithful righteousness, He forgives our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

We can start fresh each day by confessing our sins of commission and sins of omission to the Father.

Then we can rightly, and with a clear mind, restored heart, and renewed spirit celebrate Christ’s birth today.

Isaiah 9:6-7

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. . . and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Today, we celebrate that our Mighty God has arrived through the Birth of Jesus.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we are grateful for Your grand plan that began thousands of years ago, after the fall from grace by the first humans You created. You knew from that moment, the day would come for Jesus to arrive and restore humans who believed in Him to our rightful places as sons and daughters of the Living God.

Today, as we celebrate and reflect on the true meaning of Christ’s birth, we are humbled by Your Grace. Thank You seems such an inadequate word for the praise You deserve. Nonetheless, thank you. We bless you, we serve you and we humble ourselves before You. Through Your mercy be with us, today and always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.