Don’t you just love the wonder that is Christmas? There’s so much that’s magical about this time of year. Beyond all that we do to bolster it—the lights, shows, entertainment, decorations, gift-giving and all that—there’s an ingrained wonder that none of that stuff can even compete with. No matter where you are from, what language you speak, how quiet or noisy your life is, the spiritual magic of Christmas seeps into life’s pores and crevices to fill us all with a sense of wonder, a sense of the eternal, a sense that there’s got to be more to this life than the temporal, sometimes mundane pursuits so common to each of us the rest of the year. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart.”
Each of us are on a unique and defining journey called life, complete at birth with a satchel full of wonder, belief, innocence—and yes, magic—that is ample to last throughout our entire lives. That is, unless the spiritual satchel called “me” springs a leak, and the wonder dust and childlike belief starts seeping out.
Many things conspire against our box full of belief—our red gift box from God containing all we need to live victoriously. Sadly, before most of us ever really activate the full potential within us, before most of us reconcile with God through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, our red gift boxes are empty, or nearly so.
Without the enhancement and spiritual wonder we seemed to have in abundance as children, most of us plot out, half blindly, the journey of life without God. Along the way, beauty, challenges, and ugliness of a fallen world…all of these things coexist juxtaposed.
Then, when we least expect it, God brings something into our lives that knocks us off the heavily congested road and brings us to the road less traveled. A path that we do not recognize at first, yet, at the same time, looks oddly familiar to us. It’s almost like something we dreamt about or something long forgotten. We will look as far as we can to the right and then the left and see few, if any, travelers. And though I am utterly convinced that this unsettling and baffling experience happens to everyone at one time or another—few hang out long enough to discover the joys that await all those who choose to journey through life on this narrow road rather than the fancy, modern highway.
God’s Rescue Mission
Know what Christmas is really all about? A rescue mission. I think that’s why so many of us miss it.
The ancients (like the Magi) knew what it was. But others missed it because they were looking for something else.
It’s about God Almighty coming to earth to lead his lost children back to Him. It’s about Emmanuel (God with us)—the Son of God—wrapping around Himself human flesh and becoming one of us—but at the same time, remaining so much more—fully God and fully man. He came as the perfect, sinless guide who would purchase our fare home with His very life!
Make no mistake, the original plan was paradise—but the first man and woman messed that up. Fortunately, God alone is still able to bring good even out of bad.
What if we could look ahead and know that, without the hardship or trial, we would coast through life and on into a Christ-less eternity?
What temporary tragedy could possibly be so bad that we’d say avoiding it would be better than missing God and Heaven forever and ever and ever. I mean, doesn’t it sound silly to think that anyone would even struggle one second with this no-brainer? Sure it does.
Becoming Childlike
Here’s what boggles the mind: The vast majority of people you and I come in contact with every day are living that choice! Choosing poorly. Choosing to lock their heart away from God rather than risking hurt—rather than taking a risk that is really no risk at all. Why?
Because they don’t trust God, despite the truth that is validated time and time again in the Bible. Paul said in Romans 8:17-18, “17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
We either believe that, or we don’t. We either trust God, or we trust man.
But what could change this?
Only one thing…letting go of control. Peeling back the lies we’ve all been told our whole lives about God and learning to trust the One who made us—the One who loves us, the One who died for us!
You know who gets this? Little kids. They come to daddy—Abba—for the slightest things—the smallest hurt, anything. They trust dad—know dad will help and comfort and love on them.
We read in Matthew 19:13-15, “13Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.”
Then there’s Matthew 18:3, “3and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” The Message version puts it, “2-5For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, ‘I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in.’”
This Christmas season, I encourage you to become child-like again. Let God touch your heart and restore your faith in Him, His Word, and His love for you. It will be the best gift you give yourself this year!
I invite you to join me, Michelle, and The Summit family as we worship our Lord and Savior this weekend. You can join us in person or online for one of our worship experiences:
- Christmas Eve – 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, or 5:00 PM Mountain Time
- Sunday Worship Experiences – 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM Mountain Time
Wishing you a most blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!
~Pastor Rob
aka, “P-Ro”