Sooo what is Christmas all about?
We are so blessed to be in Vietnam for the month of Christmas. On every street corner, stores are decked out in flashy (and extremely tacky) Christmas decorations. Maria Carrie's voice belts out her one true Christmas request (you!) and I have never seen so many Asian Santa's… well… ever! Christmas trees are set up next to shrines, O Come O Come Emmanuel plays on the loud speaker in the grocery store, and walking downtown is like trying to make your way through a concert crowd as parents dress up their kids and parade them in front of the Christmas decorations to take pictures.
It is a carnival and the equivalent of America's New Years. When asking the students what they will do for Christmas, their response is usually to go out for drinks or party with friends. Now, when asking what they will do for New Years, almost always they will be going home to be with family.
This morning at the international church, a troop of a dozen Vietnamese children marched down the isle in their traditional garb to sing for the congregation. They sang in Vietnamese complete with the actions they had been rehearsing for weeks, their attention being drawn from the big shiny Christmas tree in the corner to their buddy next to them who, oblivious to the world, had gotten stuck in repeat while the rest of the ensemble had moved on to another move.
These children were all living, breathing, wriggling miracles. All had been rescued. All were once not wanted. All were intended to be aborted. All had been fought for, seen even in their mother's womb as worthy. A family had offered to adopt, the Lord changed each mother's heart and mind and here they were; 3-5 years later they sing praises to the Lord.
We were once destined for death. We were once unworthy, unwanted, and lifeless BUT God saw us and He wanted us. He sent His son as a baby. Humbly He came into this world. Fully human and fully God. Born to a teen mom, Jesus learned obedience and knew without doubt that He was loved by His father. Before his ministry even began, before he “did” anything, He knew he was loved.
And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
-Luke 3:22
He lived a perfect life without sin, was crucified and took on our sin, paying the price for our shortcomings. He died, and then defeated death by raising again after three days and now sits in heaven with the Father. So, we can die with Him and be born again into FULL life of freedom.
This is Christmas. They fact that we are able to have life through an innocent, helpless baby.
Do not be afraid. I bring you tidings of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
-Luke 2:10-12
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
