When we look at Christmas, what do we see? Too often Christ is seen as a little tiny baby and that is it. That goes for a lot of Christians too. Basically many Christians are leaving the baby Jesus in the manger. “Oh, how cute. Look at the peace in the manger scene.” Yes, look at the peace. But way too many are missing the real point of Christmas. God sent His son. His only son. He was not simply sent to have Christmas. He was sent for a reason and that was to conquer sin once and for all. Well all who will believe and accept His perfect gift. Bottom line, Jesus came to die! Christmas is looked at as a time for peace, but Jesus didn’t come to make peace. He came to divide. Look at Luke 12:51. Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. That’s a bible truth that I think most overlook. Want another bible truth? Mary, the mother of Jesus, is held as one of the greatest women. She is even often worshiped Even she did not miss the reason for Jesus’ arrival. In Luke 1:38 we read; Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. And Elizabeth her sister even declares Him Lord before He is born in Luke 1:43; But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
When we leave Christ in the manger not only do we miss the point, but others that come in contact with us miss the point. If we are not showing Christ for who he truly is then those who are around us may not see Him or worse, follow in your footsteps. Remember when I said He come to divide? Well, the line has been drawn. A fence has been placed between Heaven and Hell. You can only choose one side to be on. Jesus said that if you are not 100% for Me, then you are 100% against Me. In other words you can’t ride the fence. If you try you will fall. And when you fall, on one side it will be a cozy pillow to catch you and on the other side it will be a hard landing. Which do you think is going to be the side of Jesus? Well for me, by experience, Satan’s side is full of pillows to catch you. And all that is just temporary. There is no joy on Satan’s side.
So, this Christmas, when you are standing looking at the manger scenes, make a point to acknowledge that the tiny baby, is the God in the flesh, the Son of God, the Messiah, our Savior. He came to divide. He came to die so that He would claim victory over sin and death by His resurrection and that He tore the veil so that you and I could have a home with Christ in Heaven.
Merry Christmas,
Robert Prestwood
