"Unto us a child is born, to us a son is given... and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
These words from the prophet Isaiah take on special meaning when we see them fulfilled in the coming and birth of Jesus Christ.
May each one of us find in Jesus all that we need in life and in death. Jesus' names (titles) given prophetically by Isaiah clear point out that everything we ever need is met in this Child whose birth we remember at Christmas. Jesus provides wise counsel when we have to make decisions, strength when we are weak, an abiding love that never ends or fails, and a peace that passes all understanding. If you have Jesus, you have everything you'll ever need.
Allow me to make an observation. This gospel message is counter-cultural in the western society we live in, including the country I call home: Australia. During this time of the year we are hemmed in by stuff and tempted by the message that we need all this stuff: the presents under the tree, the stockings stuffed with stuff, the lavish spread of food, the trappings of the materialism of our culture. Pollsters are rejoicing that this will be a bumper year in department store sales. Sad to say, but the reality is that so many churches in Australia are caught in the trappings of our culture. The celebration of his birth is relegated to a sideshow in the midst of all the jumping castles, santas, caroling, and sausage sizzles. There is hardly room for Christ at Christmas. We talk about the real reason for the season -- but we ought walk our talk.
Earlier this month I had to prepare myself for a major review of both my denominational position as well as my role in that position. This was a very helpful and healthy exercise for me. I was deeply appreciative of the privilege of serving God's people in the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia. It is a joy for me to help churches become healthy and see new churches being planted everywhere.
But with privilege comes responsibility. I came away from the review even more determined than ever about the importance of the missional vision God has laid on our denominational heart: to be a church reforming to reach the lost for Christ. This vision is at the core of Christmas. Jesus came down to earth "to seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10) Christ's birth was missional at heart. And God calls us to join Him in that ongoing mission in our world: to seek and save the lost. The God who sent Jesus to earth, and the one who sent us the Spirit, also sends us out into world as his co-workers with the ministry and message of the gospel (2 Corinthians 5).
May our Christmas celebrations this year be such that the gospel is not wrapped up and hidden by all the trappings of our consumeristic culture. May the Word truly take on flesh as we proclaim the greatest story ever! Ever! The story doesn't get any better than this: God sent his Son into the world to save the world through him (John 3:17). So here is the challenge.
As we celebrate Christmas, may Christ be everything: every word, every song, every prayer, every thought, every deed. May Christ be all and in all. Making room! In the words of Isaac Watts, "Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!" And as we prepare him room, let us make room in our churches, in our homes, around our tables, and in our hearts for the stranger among us, the least among us, the lost among us. And let us remember that as we do it to the least of these, we do it unto Jesus (Matthew 25:40)
Loving God, just as you came as a baby 2000 years ago, you still come in unexpected ways. Help us recognize you in the faces of strangers, the lost, as well as, our loved ones -- even to the least of these among us. Help us welcome others as we would welcome you. Amen.