Christmas is not in tinsel and lights and outward show. The secret lies in an inner glow. It’s lighting a fire inside the heart. Good will and joy a vital part. It’s higher thought and a greater plan. It’s glorious dream in the soul of man.”
–Wilfred A. Peterson
“And is it true? And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue,
A Baby in an ox’s stall?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Became a Child on earth for me?”
–Sir John Betjeman
Christmas is that wonderful time when we celebrate the 1st Advent of Jesus Christ to the earth. It is a time of joyous wonder, and there is a thrill that should permeate the heart of the believer. He came to earth to die, now that is a concept. His purpose was to reconcile and redeem lost humanity to His Father. We celebrate His death and resurrection at Easter and it is another joyous time; a time of victory.
The severe, merciless death on the Cross and then the victory in Resurrection. Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave. His power was unmatched by anyone on earth or anything in the spiritual realm. Nothing could hold Him back when He burst from the clutches of death. Remember that sin causes death, and Jesus had all of the sins of the world upon Him, yet He came forth as a conqueror.
We are amazed at the Incarnation, the 1st Advent. We are amazed at His death and resurrection. Yet, so often we fail to realize that He was not only the conqueror of the grave, but He also conquered life. Maybe it is because we struggle so much in that area. We have our sins, and some of them seem to conquer us. We want victory, but in despair, we often cry “what’s the use.” We believe in the victory of Jesus, and we know there will be a final resurrection, but we bemoan this life.
Take heart! Not only because Jesus defeated the forces of sin and evil on the Cross and at the Tomb, He was also victorious as He walked through this life. He conquered life! Because of that He was able to give us the promise that we too, can be conquerors, even more than conquerors. No, not in our power, that is why we struggle and fail so much, but we must resist in the power of Christ.
Death did not faze Him; neither did life. He walked through it fulfilling the Word of God and obeying the will of His Father. So this Christmas, as we worship in awe of His incarnation, do not forget His ability to face life as a man and succeed not succumb.
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
–1 Corinthians 15:55 (KJV)
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have LIFE, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
–John 10:10 (KJV, cap. emphasis added)