The Wonders of CHRISTmas

Through the nativity story and beyond,
we celebrate Jesus as God’s light and presence among us.

By Daphne Sidney, Superintendent of Australasia

Growing up in a family of nine children, Christmas was one of our most anticipated and happiest seasons. We relished the lamb roast, desserts, and other goodies that were unaffordable the rest of the year. I remember the Christmas cards we received with scenes of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus in a wooden trough, shepherds and animals all around. These scenes depict the familiar nativity story, mostly from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. But there is much more to consider.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:1-3 NIV

While Luke and Matthew emphasize the birth of Jesus, the Gospel of John adds depth to the story. John writes not of a baby Jesus but of Jesus who has eternally existed and of the glory he had with the Father before the world was made (John 17:5).

“In the beginning” takes us back to the creation scene of Genesis. By connecting Jesus to the act of creation, John highlights that Jesus, as the Word, is central to both the original creation and new creation.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here. 2 Corinthians 5:17

What a wonderful thought for our Christmas reflections! God is creating something new in us through the life of Jesus.

From the book of Genesis to Revelation, we see a God who has come down to earth to reach out to humanity, to bring the world to himself through Christ, expressing his love for all humanity through relationship with his children. We see an incarnational God who made his dwelling among us. We are able to live in his presence now. And God desires to be with us in a glorious and eternal way.

Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live and be with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God… (Rev 21:3-5).

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NIV

Some describe the coming of Jesus ‘in the flesh’ as rather blunt, but John was being direct as he was confronting Docetism — a heresy that taught that Christ was only God and denied his humanity, that his body was not real. It is not easy to accept fully into our hearts all that Jesus did for us and the pain that he bore for us in his human body. Jesus is the blessing who poured himself out — willing to come as a vulnerable baby — who came to make God known, to reveal the Father’s love to us.

No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only who is at the Father’s side, has made him known. John 1:18 ESV

All these wonders give us much to reflect upon during the seasons of Advent and Christmas. We are blessed to hear messages over the four Sundays of Advent, with a focus each week on Hope, Peace, Joy, or Love — the very aspects of who Jesus is. These messages of hope bring a ray of light into the darkness of this world.

As a new creation being formed in Christ, it is edifying to take time out from the usual consumerism of this season, to hear inspiring messages, to read the word, to prayerfully ponder and to reflect on these wonders of Christmas and Advent.

Advent, meaning to wait for, to anticipate what is coming, helps us set aside time to reflect, to give thanks, to be still and enjoy the pleasures of God’s presence. We thank Jesus for his life, for his sacrifice, and for revealing the Father and drawing us into an ever-deepening relationship with Father, Son, and Spirit.

What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. John 1:3b-5 NRSVUE