Redeemer

Admittedly, I struggle with Christmas. Not all aspects of Christmas, just what we have done to it. As a result I may have inadvertently avoided the subject altogether. But as I reflect on what the birth of Christ meant to a lost and depraved generation I can't help but marvel at the event that took place some 2000 years ago and what He still means to us today; a lost and depraved generation.

It was not long ago that I had my third child; a daughter. I remember the overwhelming feeling of anticipation and excitement while we waited for her arrival. I remember the long sleepless night right before we went into the hospital knowing that the next day we would have a new member added to our family. And when Charlotte finally came into the world, I remember very well the feeling of joy and hope that she brought with her. Right now she is sitting in her exersaucer across from me and I still see that same hope and joy in her face today and I celebrate her being in my life.

When Jesus Christ was brought into this world, born of a virgin and conceived of the Holy Spirit, it was an anticipation that was shared by all of creation; and when He finally arrived the heavens and earth rejoiced. They rejoiced because they had been waiting so long for the fulfillment of Gods simple promise, to send a redeemer; and now that redeemer had arrived in the form of a child. That child represented hope and joy like no other before or after. It is a joy and hope that we can still see if we know the one who was sent of God.

We are now in a similar situation as we look to the day when that same Redeemer will restore the earth. We live in the age of grace, forgiven and justified through Jesus Christ, and now we look to the day when perfection comes. That glorious and dreadful day of the Lord. Will we be like the shepherds who were able to witness one of the greatest moments in all of history, or will we resemble the religious leaders who missed their messiah because they were more focused on being religious than being saved from their own iniquities? The choice is yours to make. At this time of year, let us look to the one who was sent to redeem and not to the Jesus we have used as an excuse for our own commercialism, materialism and religiosity.

Rob