Matt.1:23 – BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN WILL CONCEIVE AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND THEY SHALL NAME HIM IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”
The most amazing miracle of all, the one where the One who had lived for eternity became part of the human race, is celebrated every year. We call it Christmas. It just seems so impossible, the person who has lived forever had a day when life started, a birthday? But did He? Did the one who created mothers and fathers actually become a man without a human father but through the womb of a human mother. It all seems so confusing; but that’s where faith comes into play. He was born in Bethlehem 2023 years ago (if we have the calendars right) but that is not when or where this One was really born. He is begotten of the Father from eternity. What does that mean? He has always been the Father’s Son, there never was a beginning except where its says in the beginning, a beginning that never started but has always been. Here is how Augustine describes this.
“And today we should celebrate, not just the fact that Christ the Lord began to be, but the fact that He who was always with the Father was brought forth into the light of day wearing the birthday suit He received from His mother. If anything, He was bringing fecundity (fertility) to His mother. If nothing else, He wasn’t mucking up her virginity in the process. He’s conceived, He’s born, He’s a beautiful babe, but just who is this infant? To say someone’s an infant is to say that, among other things, he can’t talk. But in the Lord’s case, He’s both a No-Word-er and the Word of all words Himself. In the flesh, at this stage in his life on earth, He’s keeping to Himself—and this the person who teaches the Angels! As Prince and Shepherd of Shepherds, He’s announced to the shepherds. He lies in the food trough where the cattle feed; yes, He’s their food as well as ours.”
Christmas has always had something other worldly about it, I guess that’s why we came up with Santa Claus. I can remember clearly hearing the sound of reindeer on the roof as a child. As an adult the mystery and supernatural element of Christmas has only increased. Now I imagine angels singing and traveling with them to Bethlehem to see the eternal Son who became Mary’s son. It seems just too good to be true but I just believe it is. You probably gave up on the reindeer a long time ago but don’t be surprised if the angels come to your house this year instead. What will they say? “Today a child has been born for you in the City of David who is Christ the Lord.”
