Christmas or The Feast of the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ commemorates a central event in human history, and most of us have some warm mental images of angels, a stable, Mary, Joseph, and a babe in a manger. Christmas also proclaims a key theological concept- the Incarnation. "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" (St. John 1:14). This is a great and sublime truth, but it is not isolated. It is closely related to the whole message of the Gospel.
The Christmas reading from Hebrews 1 points us toward the meaning of the Christian celebration. Hebrews 1:1-3 says, "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," (ESV)
These words show the importance of the Incarnation and summarize the basic message of the Christian Gospel. The divine message already preached by the prophets has reached its climax and fulfillment in Jesus Christ, God's only Son. The Son has always been involved in divine work, but in Jesus, the Son, the Word, has come among us in a great new way. He reveals God the Father perfectly, He takes away our sins, and He ascends to reign with the Father in heaven. Christmas is about a miraculous birth, but it is also about much more. It is a proclamation of the eternal and saving Gospel of Jesus Christ! May the Good News of the Savior dwell in our hearts always! And may we all have a merry and blessed Christmas!
No comments:
Post a Comment