Christmas = GAME ON
Earlier this year, our youngest son proposed to his girlfriend. We knew it was coming ahead of time. For months prior, he had made plans for the ring’s design, as well as how and when he would ask her. We talked with him through this important step, because once this moment happens, there are no take backs. As big of an event the proposal is, the real significance of him asking is because the proposal sets in motion the events that lead to the ultimate goal – marriage.
When he had picked the day, the time, and the place for his proposal, he let us and her immediate family know. The proposal itself was to be a moment between the two of them, but he also knew that they would want to celebrate afterward with both families. He made reservations at a little Italian restaurant where we were to meet up and celebrate the new couple.
In some ways, the dinner was an ending, because it signified the end of the dating portion of their relationship. But the bigger reality was that we all knew this was officially the start of something new and that something greater was just on the horizon. The ring on her finger and gathering those closest to them was the public announcement that their relationship to each other and to the world was going to change soon. It was GAME ON, and all of us at that dinner were so excited about what that moment meant to them and for us.
In a lot of ways…that’s what Christmas is, too.
God had promised a Messiah, a Rescuer, to the people of Israel for centuries. The Messiah would be the one to rescue the people, bringing justice, hope, and reconciliation to a world that would never be able to have those things by their own efforts. God foretold, through the prophets, where the Messiah would be born…but He didn’t tell them exactly when it would happen.
Then one night, the announcement came:
Luke 2:8-14
In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!
In some ways, the angel’s announcement was an ending, because it signified the end of the prophets being the primary way God communicated with mankind. But the bigger reality was that this moment was officially the start of something new, and that something greater was just on the horizon. This multitude of heavenly host, this mass of a heavenly army, cheered and shouted praises to publicly announce the birth of Jesus. But instead of simply gathering those closest to God, the public announcement was made to people on the lowest rungs of ancient society. Everyone was to know that their relationship to God and God’s relationship to the world was going to change soon. It was GAME ON, and the shepherds were so excited about what that moment meant to them and for all of us.
The greatness of Christmas is because our Messiah has finally arrived… telling us that our hope of rescue has been fulfilled, our relationship with God has changed, and something greater is coming soon.
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!
Keep Pressing,
Ken