Of the gospels, John is the most unique in the retelling of the birth of Jesus. His version is more philosophical... and requires different eyes than the gospels giving us the facts, the details and revealing the wonder of that amazing season.
John gives us the fewest details, yet somehow in one chapter... gives us the depth and breadth of the love story between God and humans. In a nutshell, my friend, His love is deep and wide. We must believe and receive. So simple... yet, so many will reject Him.
How much time do we spend each Christmas season seeking the truth found in The Word and seeking The Way?
Do you know the term for early Jesus believers? They were followers of "The Way". It is likely that John had many notes tucked away before he penned the gospel of John. He, unlike the other disciples, lived a long life. The writer in me has to wonder how long he brewed and stewed on the Book of John, chapter one, before he picked up the pen?
"But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God." -John 1:12-13
What? They had physical passion back then? Of course, they did. Humans haven't really changed that much. They did not have epidurals.
Believe, accept and receive the gift. So simple and so hard. To reject and conquer our fears and kneel at a manger, is it impossible in this modern time? To lay our disbelief at the foot of an old rugged cross, is The Way to strange to accept? That is Christmas, dear friend. Believe and receive.
How I savor the unexpected ways our God moved to make the way for our redemption! We had messed up over and over. We could not be good enough or keep enough rules to please His holy nature. So, God made a way. A rugged manger... a young, ordinary girl and her carpenter fiancé trusted His plan.
Joseph and Mary watched their son by birth and by love grow into manhood. Jesus was like other boys, and then he was not. Jesus didn't go to temple by duty, but longed to be there with those who knew the scriptures, too. When his earthly father,Joseph, couldn't find him... he was most often found in the wilderness with his Heavenly Father. It was Jesus way. It was another way he showed us The Way.
Then... enter an old rugged cross. The God of the universe made the most beautiful gifts through the humble, the ugly, the horrible and the rugged.
Is it too much to imagine that God would choose to make us his sons and daughters as a gift, adopted and joint heirs with Jesus? The enemy wants us to believe it is, but he lies. His arrogance cost him heaven and misery loves company.
We we were purchased with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), but it did not arrive by Amazon Prime. From that first human breath by the manger miracle and a final "it is finished" breath, Jesus sealed the deal. Then, he conquered death when breath returned to his resurrected body. We can't celebrate Christmas fully without the knowledge and awe of the cross.
Is it too much to believe? It it more foolish to not believe... and miss the miracle?
Today, I am grateful we are simply asked to believe and receive. Don't miss the miracle.
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