October 20, 2021. For most, this date will be of little consequence, but for me it is a day I treasure greatly. This, the 3rd greatest day of my life (1st of course was the day I acknowledged Jesus as my savior and repented; the 2nd was marrying my wife Alex), was when my daughter, Alyssa, made her appearance into the world!
When it comes to the delivery room, few of us know what to expect. Sure, we’ve watched the videos in the birthing classes and we have been told countless stories of other’s experiences; but when it comes down to it, we really have no idea what it will be like when the doctor finally says, “It’s time.” I had heard many scenarios ranging from labor lasting for days with pains and horrors no one should have to endure, to not making it to the hospital in time to deliver the baby.
With all these expectations, we were pleasantly surprised. We were making our 4th visit in 2 weeks to the hospital on what I thought for sure would be another false alarm, and within 8 hours we were holding our beautiful baby. It was not all easy after that, but this birth (and my wife would agree) was far simpler than we could have imagined.
But no one could have prepared me for the feelings of helplessness at times. Being a father, there are only so many things I can do before mother is needed. Alyssa would be letting us know in a not-so-subtle way that she needed food, mother would be working to get things positioned correctly, but beyond the supportive presence or helpful hand there was very little I could do.
Then came the belly aches, my precious daughter screaming at the top of her lungs stretching and scrunching trying to work out some internal issue and all I could do was hold her. I mean, talk about heart-wrenching. I knew both scenarios were all a part of the process, but until I walked through them, I couldn’t fully imagine how it would feel.
It’s amazing how often in life, even with all the information, we can miss things or be caught unaware when something happens.
December 25, 6 B.C. This date carries a much greater significance to most people. The representative date of the birth of the Savior of the world! Now that experience I know carried with it many expectations. I’m by no means an expert on 1st Century Jewish culture, but I’m sure Mary saw things going differently in her mind. Before Mary was approached by the angel Gabriel, she likely envisioned that her first child would be from her husband, not divinely conceived by the Holy Spirit. She would have hoped to be at home surrounded by family, rather than to be alone with her husband in a barn surrounded by livestock. And though we all dream of our children doing many great things, she couldn’t possibly have foreseen bearing the Son of God.
For over four thousand years the coming of the Savior had been prophesied. From his purpose (Isaiah 61:1-2, Isaiah 53:5-12), his place of birth (Micah 5:2), his death(Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 53:12, Psalm 69:21, Psalm 22:18, and many more), and even down to the means of conception (Isaiah 7:14). From Genesis 3:15 which brings the first glimpse of what is to come:
“I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.”
To Isaiah 9:6, one of the most well-known prophecies of our coming savior:
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
All throughout the Old Testament God shows us his plan to save the world. Revealing that a Savior was coming to free God’s people. So how did they miss it?
In the Gospels, we see that man’s expectations of the Savior did not align with God’s plan. Some saw Jesus as coming to take over the throne of Israel, especially Herod who was currently sitting on the throne (Matthew 2, God even knew what Herod would do, prophesied in Hosea 11:1 and Jeremiah 31:15). Many thought Jesus was coming to free them from the current Roman oppression. Few saw Jesus’s real purpose. For few see the true need in their own lives. Our greatest need is not the removal of corrupt governments, oppressing or misleading. Nor is it living poverty or lack of any physical need. These are but the consequences of sin, of man’s desire to elevate ourselves over all else. Worst of all over God our creator. It seems many missed Isaiah 53:5-12, where verse 5-6 states:
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
They saw the desperate needs of others, their lack of stuff, their lack of social standing, thinking that this was the proof of God’s blessing on their lives. But they missed the great need all have no matter where they are in life (Luke 18:9-14).
Time and time again in Scripture we see God working things out in His own timing and in His own ways. You have this promise in Genesis mentioned before, taking over 4,000 years to come about. God promises a 75-year-old Abram that he would be the patriarch of a great nation, which would come through just one child, born 25 years later (Genesis 12-17, 21). The great walled city of Jericho was brought down by shouting of all things (Joshua 6:1-27). A prophet of the Lord was corrected by a talking donkey (Numbers 22:22-34). Yet in all these instances, it is God working through us (or a donkey) as his instruments. It was God who brought down the walls, not some trick of resonating frequency. It is God who brings us salvation, not a good government or a more comfortable lifestyle.
But let us not be quick to throw stones at the first century Jews. How often in our lives do we miss the proverbial star in the sky? Sin is an all-encompassing problem; its curse and effects reach far and wide and none, but Christ, have escaped it.
If your Christmas goes anything like mine, you will hear the story of the first Christmas and if you don’t, you should read it for yourself (Matthew 1:18-2:23, Luke 2:1-21, add Luke 1:5-80 if you want to get extra credit). What an unexpected adventure! The God of the universe setting aside his power to be born of flesh into a sinful and rebellious world as foretold. As you hear this story, ponder on the following questions: What are your expectations of God? Are you wanting your life to follow a specific path that you’ve laid out in your mind? Is your desire for a “better” life stronger than your desire to know your Lord and Savior better? And if you are hearing the Christmas story as one who does not know God, consider this. If all that is in the Christmas story is true, what does it mean for you? You can also read our article, Do you know God personally?.
Thanks for taking the time to come and hear my thoughts on Christmas this year. We at the RBC want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We also pray that God will bless you and the Holy Spirit would guide to a deeper understanding of our Lord!
Until the next time we see you here at CultivatingFaith.org, God Bless! #CultivatingFaithOrg