Have a Mighty, Merry Christmas!
The night wouldn’t have been so silent on earth. Cattle lowed, sheep baaed, goats bleated, donkeys brayed. Mary would have cried out with the pangs of childbirth.
Heaven might have been silent, as all the heavenly hosts and angels waited with bated breath for the Son of God to be born. The chorus of worshipers in God’s throne room hushed in awed silence as all eyes in heaven focused on a small manger in the humble town of Bethlehem.
Heaven and earth forever changed in a triumphant moment, as a tiny baby was wrapped in swaddling cloth and laid in a manger:
“Unto us a child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
On earth, the world continued as usual, oblivious to this momentous moment except for a select few: Mary, Joseph, and some shepherds who quaked in front of an angel of the Lord as they were told the glorious news. Kings kept ruling. Men and women went about their work. Children laid their heads to rest. All were marked for death, trapped by their sins. Try as they might, even the most righteous person couldn’t lead a sinless life.
We can’t save ourselves.
Abraham understood when he hiked up the mountain with Isaac in tow. He couldn’t bring his son back to life.
David understood as he faced Goliath. He couldn’t take down a giant.
Gideon understood as he prepared for battle. His small number of troops couldn’t defeat a vast army.
Joshua understood as he peered up at the thick walls of Jericho. He couldn’t make them crumble.
But God could.
Only God can save us. It’s by His might and in strength that we are rescued from the pit of our despair. Our only hope is in Him.
So God came to earth.
He took on human form as a helpless baby. Our fates and the weight of the world rested on His tiny shoulders.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
May you celebrate the hope of a savior and the joy that God’s love never fails.
