Today is the day after Christmas. I pray that everyone reading this had a wonderful birthday party for our Lord. Yes, feasting, laughing and exchanging gifts, but also taking time to thank God for His eternal gift to us that we celebrate at this time each year. Is December 25th really the day Jesus was born? There are many scholars who think it might have been in the fall instead. I don’t think it matters one bit. What really does matter is that we spend one day each year to celebrate and commemorate His birth.
Every human conception and birth is a miracle of God’s creation. The miracles of Jesus’ conception and birth are unique and particularly miraculous. He was conceived in the womb of a virgin by the Holy Spirit. His DNA is at once heir of King David, son of Mary and the eternal Son of God. A third century scholar of scripture described the appropriate symbolism of the gifts of the Magi. “There is gold, for a king; myrrh, for someone who is mortal; and incense, for God.” Jesus possessed all of those qualities from birth. His body is 100% human, while his mind and spirit are 100 % God. He is truly King of kings and Lord of lords. Thousands of times in history an infant has become a king, but only once has a King become an infant.
I can remember about 74 of the 78 Christmas Days since my birth. Ironically, the one that is etched in my memory as clearly as the one I just celebrated is the one when I was nine years old. It was soon after our home burned to the ground destroying everything we owned except our car, the clothes we were wearing and a bookcase which was he only thing the firemen were able to get out before it collapsed. I don’t remember what we ate or drank that Christmas. I don’t even remember gifts, if there were any. What I do remember is feeling the true meaning of Christmas for the first time with my family as we thanked God for sparing my mother and me from the flames. Life took precedence that year over presents and feasting; not only our lives, but the life of Jesus, who would become my Savior just two years later.
As we commemorate the birth of Jesus with nativity scenes depicting Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, wise men (who actually came later) animals in the stable; and even angels celebrating from above; let us never forget the deity of that infant. Mary delivered Jesus and then He delivered us!