Christmas is the day that holds all time together.”
–Alexander Smith
“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law.”
–Galatians 4:4 (NASB)
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We don’t think much about it, oh maybe some of the atheists do. The birth of Christ is what separates time. Remember it used to be B.C. and A.D. and has since been changed to B.C.E. and C.E. Whichever you choose it is still based on the birth of Christ! That doesn’t change, all history is regulated by that date.
That one night–how many nights before had gone by before–that one night? I picture it as a chilly night, not really cold, but one that was brisk and bright. Maybe Joseph had a small fire to help keep Mary and the child warm.
The stars were bright that night, but one–one was hovering over Bethlehem and it seemed to twinkle much brighter than the others. I wonder if Joseph looked out of the stable to look up at the sky. Did he move away just a bit, to ponder the recent weeks; his dreams and the dreams of Mary? The mysterious pregnancy and now the birth of what looked like a plain, ordinary, male child. Perhaps he glanced towards the hills where he heard some kind of a sound–the sound of heavenly voices, the sound of angels speaking for not long afterward shepherds came to visit and told him what they had seen and heard.
Some may argue that Easter was the most important day, and they would have a good argument except that there could not be an risen Lord on Easter without Christmas. Christmas, the birth of a child, was the beginning of the way for man’s salvation. This child, so vulnerable as He laid there, was the same Person who walked centuries ago with Adam in the Garden. In fact, Paul would refer to Him as the Second Adam.
Yes, one day has put all of history together. One day has also separated history from Before Christ to Anno Domini (the year of our Lord). Stop! Contemplate just for a moment. Think of your own life. What was it like before Christ? Were you a mocker, a blasphemer, a drunkard, one filled with lust and pride? Then Christ came and it was almost like Christmas all over, at least on a personal basis.
I dare you to take time this Christmas season to ponder that one night that forever changed the course of history and the fate of mankind. Did you just smile thinking of the Babe in the manger? If not, do it now and thank for Lord for that one time in history when everything was just right, and Jesus was born.