"Beyond Christmas"

“Beyond Christmas”

 

When my kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews were small I’d sometimes take them on my lap to tell a story: “Once upon a time they lived happily ever after.” When they looked at me strangely  and protested that it wasn’t a story I’d remind them there was a beginning and an ending—the only missing part was the middle. For some reason this usually didn’t fly so I’d have to tell them a “real” one.

We’re in that season when we emphasize Jesus’ birth. Then in three or four months we’ll stress His death, resurrection and ascension. But what about the 33 years in between? Why do we tend to leave Him in the manger at this time of year and overlook the rest of His story?

Years ago Karen realized that the account of Jesus’ birth is the beginning, not the end, of the narrative of His life. She expressed this truth by writing a song called “Don’t Leave Christ in the Manger”:

 

 

  “We think of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem town,

   Of angels, of shepherds, the stable and hay,

   Of events that surrounded the Holy Child’s birth

   On that first blessed Christmas day.

 

   It did not end there on that day long ago,

   There was purpose in Christ’s coming down from above.

   He became in that instant all God and all man,

   And He taught the whole world of God’s love.

 

   He grew up being tempted and hurt as we are,

   And when grown He was crucified on a tree.

   But He rose from the grave to die no more,

   And from sin gave complete victory.

 

   Don’t leave Christ in the manger,

   He grew up from a babe to a man

   To save all mankind from the darkness of sin;

   To provide us with redemption’s plan."

 

Jesus’ birth had been prophesied by Isaiah and Micah some 700 years before “…the right time came, (and) God sent His Son….” (Galatians 4:4, NLT). And at that right time “…by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge….” (Acts 2:23) He died and arose “…to remove the power of sin forever….” (Hebrews 9:26, NLT). This is the completion of the story which began in Bethlehem that first Christmas night. Let God by His grace take you beyond Christmas to the fullness of life Jesus came to bring.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan