The Chaos and Mystery of Christmas

To be honest, I really don’t mind the all the chaos of Christmas. Giving presents to loved ones, traveling, reconnecting with family, watching a Christmas movie or two, hosting big meals, listening to my 2017 Christmas playlist (which, I’ll bet, is better than yours! Ha!)…these are certainly blessings.

But the chaos of Christmas provides an opportunity to consider the mystery of Christmas once more. The birth of Jesus, born in Bethlehem, long foretold by the prophets, is the first in a series of ingenious plot twists in the grand rescue mission of God. Emmanuel. God with us. Could it be that the Creator actually entered into his creation? Was it possible that the King slipped behind enemy lines to set his people free from the reign of darkness, sin, and death?

Yes. That’s what Christians believe. Jesus Christ, the Son of God himself, came into the world through miraculous conception and was born as a man to rescue and redeem the lost. No one suspected that this is what God would do. No one saw it coming. God doesn’t become a man! The King doesn’t fight the battle himself! Does he??

But in the mysterious invasion of Christmas, we see the lengths to which God was willing to go for his people, moving heaven and earth to provide forgiveness, relationship, and life. We see the depths of his humility, setting aside his glory to become a man—a man who would die for his friends. We see the value God has for human life, not rejecting humanity but adding human nature (and a body!) to his divinity. And so much more.

So even in the chaos of this season, may we consider the mystery of Christmas anew. It’s a strange story. But in it, we find good news with the power to bring great joy to all the people. Let us join with the shepherds who said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:15).

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room,
And heav’n and nature sing.