Merry Christmas!

What is one of your favorite celebrations or activities of Christmas? I’d love for you to share. There are many precious and meaningful experiences during the Christmas season. My favorite celebration is the candle lighting while singing “Silent Night”. I love the gentle glow, peacefulness, and unity of the experience; watching the sanctuary gradually illuminate. For me, this is the highlight of my Christmas celebration.

Luke shares with us the details of that silent night, that holy night. Actually, that night doesn’t sound too silent, at least not for the shepherds. They were scared out of their wits by an angel and the overwhelming glory of the Lord shining around them in the middle of the night. One particular part of this angel’s announcement has wedged itself in my head this year, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:11 NIV)

It is the identity of Christ in the present tense that has amazed me. The angel didn’t announce that a baby has been born that will be the Savior and Lord. No, Jesus was born the Savior, Messiah and Lord. He didn’t grow into it. It’s not something He became. That’s who He has always been, even at His birth, even in His vulnerability: Lord, the Savior.

And what should happen next, but “a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel” and praised God. Many of us picture this scene in our minds with a massive, illuminated choir singing praises. However, this is not an angelic choir. No, this is an army. The term we read in English as “host” is a Greek military term for an army. That’s sure to be intimidating! Imagine a huge army of mighty warriors. What would cause them to praise and call out? I could think of only one thing:

Victory.

Look at what the mighty warrior army said in Luke 2:14 (NIV), “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

They proclaimed peace to God’s people and gave glory to God! An army proclaims peace and gives glory to their king when there is victory. The present sense of victory at the nativity is stunning. We view the birth of Christ as just the beginning, but it was more than the beginning. It’s almost like watching a sports game where one team is so far ahead of the other, they’ve already won the game. There’s no possible way the other team could catch up to take the win. It’s just a matter of playing the time out on the clock.

And so may your Christmas be a celebration of peace and victory as well! Our lives today are just like that nativity scene so long ago. It’s not perfect and appears to be making the best with the little that’s available. But appearances are deceiving. The truth is, we already have peace and victory. The battle is already won. It’s just a matter of playing down the time on the clock.

Let us end with 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV):

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Scriptures to relive Christ’s coming and early years:
Luke 1:1-38
Luke 1:39-80
Matthew 1
Luke 2:1-40
Matthew 2

Originally posted on December 23, 2019.