Just the Beginning

"Hark the Harold angel sings,

glory to the new born king.

Peace on earth and mercy mild,

God and sinner reconciled."

The second half of the third verse is my favorite: "Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth." Christmas is about more than just Christ coming to earth. The Pastor at the Christmas Eve service reminded us that the incarnation of Christ is not the end and that it is meaningless unless it is followed by a cross.

Christ was born, lived, and died in the cycle of life just as any human does. But he was "born that man no more may die", he lived perfectly, and died for the world's sins. Unlike humans, he rose again to complete his work on earth.

Isaiah said, "The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel" (7:14). The Gospel of Luke records Mary's response to the angel's news that she would give birth to a son, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" (1:31, 34). Micah wrote,

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times" (5:2).

Luke recorded that "Today in the town of David" (2:11) the Messiah had been born. In prophesy, Isaiah pronounced, "For to us a son is born, to us a son is given" (9:7). In announcement, the angels proclaimed in Luke, "A Savior has been born to you" (2:11).

The angels sang, "On earth peace to men on whom his favor rests" (Luke 2:14b). May we never forget, "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him" (Isaiah 53:5).

The crude wooden manger was where our Saviour was first laid. A crude wooden cross is where he drew his final breath, finishing the work he had begun. "Born that men no more may die"; Christ took on human flesh so I would never taste death.

Isaiah transcribed God's words which are incredible:

"And now the LORD says--

he who formed me in the womb to be his servant

to bring Jacob back to him

and gather Israel to himself,

for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD

and my God has been my strength--

He says:

"It is too small a thing for you to be my servant

to restore the tribes of Jacob

and bring back those of Israel I have kept.

I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,

that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth" (Isaiah49:5,6).

Of course Luke records the words of Simeon: "For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel" (2:31-32). God did not leave me, a Gentile, out. Thus, I am given life for Christmas.

Jesus made it very clear, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:17b). The virgin birth, the angels' announcement, God incarnate are just the beginning. The hope of Christmas is in Christ's death and resurrection which are made all the more glorious by his birth. "Born that man no more may die". Christmas is just as much about the coming of Christ as it is about his ascension. As Christians, we were guaranteed life for Christmas.

--HM