Do you prefer a gift that comes as a surprise or a gift that is expected—a gift, just the same, wrapped and concealed in a wrapper?
Christmas is a season that people look forward to. Yes, we do anticipate the festivities, get-togethers, exchange gifts, and even travel. Customarily, we give and receive gifts during Christmas. It is a good tradition. Although let us be reminded of the essence behind the tradition. Christmas is not merely the parties and food, but also the celebration of the birth of Jesus and the incarnation of God to man.
Much has been written about God’s coming. The entire OT1 is a foreshadow of God’s plan for the salvation of humanity. Partially, progressively, and conditionally, God promised the coming of a Savior. All throughout the bible, from the story of Creation, Adam and Eve, Noah, Tower of Babel, Abraham, Isaac, Judah, Moses, the Davidic Kingdom, the Divided Kingdom, to the prophets. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.2
Grace upon grace has been poured out to us from then to now. But the bad news is that based on God’s standards and holiness, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God3 (thank God, it doesn’t stop there). Now, the good news! A revelation previously hidden is now revealed. We are saved by his grace and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.4 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.5 Yes, that is the good news of the gospel. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.6
God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!7 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you . . . And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!”8
God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.9 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).10
Notes:
1. Old Testament
2. Isaiah 7:14
3. Romans 3:23
4. Romans 3:24-26
5. Romans 5:6-8
6. Romans 6:23
7. Psalm 47:5-6
8. Mathew 28:5-10
9. Psalm 47:8
10. Matthew 1:22-23
