We’re in KL, waiting for debrief to start. While we stay here, we’ve been asked to participate in a Christmas program at a local church. Sure, why not…sounds like a good time. We decided to be original and act out the nativity scene. As I was preparing for my speaking part in our skit, God really started to speak to me. Instead of trying to paraphrase…I’m just going to copy and paste my speaking part into this blog, hoping you’ll be able to follow along:
So, here is Jesus: Wrapped in warm, clean clothes, snuggled safely in Mary’s arms as everyone comments on how sweet and tiny He is. This is how we remember Him. All of the prophecies about His coming have been fulfulled–He’s finally here! We celebrate by giving gifts and remembering His birth in a manger. But once the gifts have been opened, the music fades and the party dies down…is Christmas over? Here is a reminder that we all need: Christmas is not just about birth and gifts. It’s also about victory in death, and great sacrifice! Sometimes during this season, we forget that baby Jesus grew into a man. A man who, because He was fully human and fully God, performed many miracles.
(This is the part of our skit where Nikki and Sarah talked about a few of Jesus’ miracles…)
Jesus’ greatest miracle was His perfect, sinless life. Because He had no sin, He could serve as a sacrifice for sinners. Because He was fully human, He could die. And becaues He was fully God, He could defeat death. So Jesus died for our sins, and rose from the dead to be with His Father in Heaven…and He wants to take us with Him!
We often think that Christmas is the story of the birth of Christ, while the gospel is the message of His death and resurrection. This Christmas season, we’d like to remind you, and ourselves, that there is only ONE story. The birth of Christ is only significant when you remember His death. And His death is only meaningful because of His life.
This is not something we celebrate once a year. This is an everyday celebration–we’ve received the most precious gift there is–love of God that brings eternal life! Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have victory in death, and life in Him. It’s our prayer that this Christmas season extends into EVERY season of your life, and that every day you’ll receive the gifts God desires to freely give you.
