A Blessed Nativity
A Blessed Nativity
“Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be.” (LBW #42)
“Even as he chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him” (Eph. 1:4).
You are God’s child as surely as the babe born in Bethlehem is the Son of God; you are chosen, made holy, and stand without blame before your Father in heaven.
“He is the Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending be.” (LBW #42)
Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Rev. 22:13).
Beginning and end, Jesus is the source—the center, the “radix” of your life. Beginning and end, Jesus is the boundary of your life—the edge, the limit; no one goes further. (This Jesus is truly radical.)
“Of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see, evermore and evermore.” (LBW #42)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (He. 13:8).
“God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1 Cor. 1:28-29).
You are chosen in him and this Jesus does not relent or repent of his choice. To those who thought they were something, this Jesus comes as nothing, a baby bedded on straw, to bring you “somethings” to nothing so that he would be your all-in-all.
“Christ, to thee, with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee…” (LBW #42)
Jesus said, “…baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt. 28:19).
Now you, newborn into the kingdom of God, you bear on your brow the seal of him who died. You have been marked by the cross of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit forever. You bear the sign and seal of your election in this babe born in Bethlehem.
“Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving and unwearied praises be…” (LBW #42)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16).
This Jesus, the Christ child laid in Mary’s lap, is the Word of God for you… you particularly, individually, and specifically. He is yours, and you are his.
“Honor, glory, dominion, and eternal victory evermore and evermore! Amen” (LBW #42)
“Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Ro. 8:24-25).
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations” (Ps. 145:13).
You have no victory but Christ’s victory, no dominion but Christ’s dominion, no honor or glory but that of Christ Jesus. He, born in the stable… He, babe of Bethlehem… He, flesh and blood in this world broken by sin… He is your Savior, your one true Lord, faithful to you from beginning to end. Thanks be to God!
To you and yours from all of us at ILT, “Merry Christmas!”