This is from our Dear Friend Dr. Jim Denison, we have come to love this man and his writings for God!
Of all the surprises in human history, however, Christmas deserves to be at the top of the list. That a holy God would choose to enter our unholy, broken, rebellious planet is astounding. That he would choose to do so as a helpless baby is beyond amazing.
C. S. Lewis captures the surprise: “The Eternal Being, who knows everything and who created the whole universe, became not only a man but (before that) a baby, and before that a foetus inside a Woman’s body. If you want to get the hang of it, think how you would like to become a slug or a crab” (Mere Christianity, his italics).
But the surprises didn’t end in Bethlehem.
Jesus was as sinless as an adult as he was as a newborn infant. This fact is crucial. If he had sinned during his earthly life, he could not have been our sinless sacrifice, and the purpose of his incarnation would have been defeated.
Our Savior lived every day by the maxim, “Pray and obey.” He prayed early in the morning before taking his next steps in ministry (Mark 1:35-39). He prayed before performing miracles (John 6:11). He prayed all night before choosing his apostles (Luke 6:12).
And the obedience that brought him to Bethlehem took him to Calvary for us.
What is life’s greatest mission?
Now he calls us to follow his example. He wants us to be a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1), to take up our cross “daily” (Luke 9:23), to “live by faith in the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20). He wants us to seek our Father’s will and then obey it. Every day.
Our culture measures relationship with God by religious observance. That’s why so many will attend Christmas services in coming days but not return until Easter. They think they’ve “checked the God box” and can go on about their lives.
We should welcome them, knowing that God can speak to anyone at any time in any place. But “seasonal Christians” are missing so much. Our Father has a purpose for each of us filled with present relevance and eternal significance.
However, he reveals it each day as each day comes.
“The main business that you are here for”
Eugene Peterson called the Christian faith “a long obedience in the same direction.” We follow that direction by praying and then obeying. Every day.
J. I. Packer: “Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord.”
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Jim Denison, Ph.D., speaks and writes on cultural and contemporary issues. He is a trusted author and subject matter expert in areas where faith and current events intersect. His Daily Article provides leading insight for discerning today’s news from a biblical perspective.
