An Unforgettable Christmas – Week of December 28, 2020

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

We have seen his glory, and this is his glory. He took on flesh for us. Where is God when I needed him?  He’s not on some far away planet. He actually came here, dwelt (literally tented) among us. Crucified, the God-man who comes to seek his own.

We have seen his glory, and here’s his glory—to seek and to save you! So this unforgettable Christmas:

  • I think of a dear saint getting up there in years, wondering—will this be her last Christmas? I think of her missing all the loved ones who have gone before; I think of the quiet confidence and hope that is hers in God who called Bethlehem’s manger his home.
  • And I think of little ones who fill our classrooms and sometimes our churches, and the ones who mom still carries in the car seat, and all that lies in the future for them. That God would love them this much? To be joined to their humanity? To take on flesh and blood? For them?
  • And I think of hospital beds you’ve stood next to; the funerals you’ve endured; the graves you’ve travelled to; and those you miss terribly today. And I think of the joy that ends all sadness; the peace which will never disappoint; the choir that gathers in heaven singing his praises evermore and evermore.
  • And I think of those who suffer this Christmas; who are in the midst of a battle of the wills; who are struggling to love; and I find love in a manger; love on a cross.

This is a Christmas that will not be forgotten.  In varying degrees, it’s a struggle for each of us. For all of us there is something not quite right, something you wish were different, someone who is missing, something un-resolved, something not finished or fixed. Christmas arrives with worry, loneliness, fear.

But this: The Word became flesh.

But this: Your God became man for you.

But this: I know what my God is like. God is no longer angry with you. This baby, the world’s Redeemer, revealed the face of God to us! A face of love and mercy and forgiveness that knows no end!

But this: Christmas means we can be honest and say some things we cannot fix; but Jesus can.

This Christmas is an unforgettable one, because Christmas means Someone loves you so much that he would rather die than hold your sins against you. So the One who was near the Father, who was God and is God, took on flesh, because he wanted you Home.

And that is a Christmas not to be forgotten!

Prayer:

The world may hold her wealth and gold; But you, my heart, keep Christ as your true treasure.
To him hold fast until at last a crown is yours and honor in full measure. Amen.
(Christian Worship 40:5)

Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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