The classic movie, A Charlie Brown Christmas first came out in 1965. Do you remember the first time you saw it? What struck you the most about it, or was most memorable? Below is the Bible passage that Linus shares from the stage:
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Luke 2:8-14
If this were any other story, it would be “old news.” But what makes it still fresh today is the fact that you have personalized it, and that this former newborn baby is now the King of the universe and is living in your heart! Not in some sentimental, nostalgic, or metaphorical way, but literally, personally, and objectively! These first witnesses of his birth could not even begin to imagine such a privilege, and yet they responded with great joy, praising and glorifying God. How much more should we?
There is so much to awe and attract us to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel writer, John, said that the world could not contain all the books needed to describe all that Jesus did. As Jonathan Edwards wrote, Jesus has “an admirable conjunction of diverse excellencies.”
For example, he is a lion and yet a lamb, glorious and yet humble, just and yet merciful, majestic and yet meek, equal with God and yet reverent toward God, sovereign and yet submissive. He stumped the scribes with his wisdom and yet enjoyed the company of simple children. He stilled a storm and yet refused to get himself down from the cross.
Or St. Augustine describes him this way:
Man’s Maker was made man that He, ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother’s breast; that the Bread might hunger, the Fountain thirst, the Light sleep, the Way be tired on its journey; that Truth might be accused by false witnesses, the Teacher be beaten with whips, the Fountain be suspended on wood; that Strength might grow weak; that the Healer might be wounded; that Life might die.
Reflect
What paradoxes of Christ strike you most deeply?
Worship is the only rational and appropriate response to such a Savior. Take some time to pray and sing some good, gospel-saturated Christmas carols with others.
