The Christmas event captures our attention in many ways. Its heavenly drama accents the extent of diving participation. Its earthly response gives evidence of human anticipation. There are many impressive features of that nativity night which enable us to grasp the gospel of Christmas. The humble setting in which it all occurred reveals the condescending nature of God. The Lord Jesus came from heaven’s glory to be birthed with the crudest of maternity care. If God would stoop to a lowly stable to usher in His Son, then surely He would stoop to share with lowly sinners His love and grace. How could it be that the shepherds, noted for their simplicity and rugged life style, were the first to come? Was it not indicative of the fact that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost? The wise men came because their scholarly insight gave them a special revelation of God’s activity. The simplest and the wisest as well as the poorest and the richest were all to share in this redeeming light.
The angelic choir reminds us that the coming of Christ was an event to celebrate. Because on that night “the heavens declared the glory of God,” today we have a reason to sing. That first Christmas music has put a song in every believer’s heart. It has been the inspiration of all our singing which truly magnifies the gospel.
The threat of Herod was but a parable of the kind of world into which our Lord had come. It was a foreshadowing of the cross which would eventually result in His painful, yet loving, sacrifice. The exodus from Egypt was symbolic of God’s protection and care. The Herods of the world would not have the last word. Crucifixion would give rise to resurrection and in that power His word would go forth. Hallelujah what a Savior!
