The older I get, the more I have begun to see that the Americanized version of Christmas is no Christmas at all. In between Santa and his reindeer, scores of presents, and large family get-togethers, the real meaning of Christmas is lost in this hyper-capitalized holiday. We, as Christians, can easily, and functionally, take the "Christ" out of Christmas, replacing the baby in a manger with presents under a tree. I, too often, have done just that. So, in order to place my thoughts back on Christ this Christmas, I'd like to reflect on one thought.
"Christmas is an anticipation come to fruition."
It began in the garden of Eden. Adam and Eve had just finished their last bite of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Realizing their grievous sin against God, they try to clothe their naked bodies hide from God as he walks through the garden. Being found in their sin, God pronounces 3 curses: one for man, one for woman, and one for the serpent who signifies Satan. The serpent's curse is the one of interest here. God says to the serpent, "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." Herein lies the beginning of the anticipation. When will the serpent's head be crushed? And who will do it? Who will defeat sin, Satan, and death?
Fast forward to the Passover. In celebration that God had delivered Israel out of the hands of the Egyptians by passing over the firstborn of those who had sprinkled the blood of a lamb on the door posts of their houses and by killing the firstborn of those who hadn't, the Israelites would gather together every year to celebrate the Passover. The priest would take 2 lambs. They would pray over them the sins of Israel for the past year. One would be slaughtered, and the other would be sent off out of the land of Israel, signifying that Israel's sins had been paid for and taken away. Then, the priest would take the blood of the lamb into the Holiest of Holies, and he would sprinkle it over the Mercy Seat, where God's presence dwelt. Only then, would the sins of Israel be forgiven for one more year. But here's the catch. This had to be done every year... every year! And on top of that, the only person who could enter the Holy of Holies was the high priest. Anyone who tired to enter would be struck dead.
More anticipation builds for Israel. When will we be able to have eternal forgiveness of sins, not temporary? Will there every be a perfect lamb, who will take our sins away forever? Will there ever be a great high priest who is able to mediate between God and man for all time?
Fast forward to time of the kings. Israel, in their sin, wanted a physical king, one that they could visibly see. This was in direct denial of God's edict that He would be there king, and they would be his people. In his mercy, God says that he will give them a king. Little did Israel know what they were asking for. Human kings are visible, but they are also fallible. Israel had a long line of kings, it's best being David and it's worst being plenty. But God had promised that Israel would have a king greater than all kings. Where was he? When will he come? Eventually, the kingdom of Israel was broken, and many were scattered abroad. So God sends prophets to testify to the people to repent of their sins, for a king is coming.
"He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes 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." Isaiah 53:2-6
Where is this king?
Can you feel the anticipation? Israel is looking for their greater and better Offspring, Lamb, High Priest, King, and Messiah, and he cannot be found... until an angel of the Lord appeared to some shepherds, keeping watch over their flock at night, saying,
"Fear not, for I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
In this manger lies our Savior. An anticipation come to fruition. Merry Christmas, and behold your God who comes to forgive the sins of man!
