Luke 2:8-14 “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
Pastor Frank Fagerburg recounted the following story in a devotion he wrote to soldiers fighting in the midst of World War II (from “Strength for Service”):
“A mother put her little daughter to bed, and turned out the light. The child anxiously asked, ‘But Mother, am I to be left alone, and in the dark too?’ ‘Yes, my dear,’ answered the mother, ‘but you know you have God with you all the time.’ The little girl replied, ‘Yes, I know that God is here, but I want someone who has a face.’”
Today, in the midst of the substantial challenges we face in our society and in our lives, we are looking for a hero who has a face. Humanity has been grasping throughout history for a personified answer to their problems. The fearful shepherds in Luke 2 were looking for the same. And, the angel brought them good tidings of great joy that was meant for them and for all people. It was Christ the Lord; God with a face!
Twentieth century Christian author John Phillips wrote the following: “The great mystery of the manger is that God was able to translate deity into humanity without discarding the deity or distorting the humanity.”
Thus, Christ was sent to us as God with a face – deity translated into humanity without discarding the former nor distorting the latter. In doing so, the Lord has shown us His good will, full of grace and truth.
And like the shepherds, the angels, and the heavenly hosts, we must recognize, share and celebrate the good news meant to bring all of humanity great joy. Like that little girl, we needed someone with a face – God delivered on Christmas Day!
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICANS TO FULLY RECOGNIZE THE PERFECT GIFT OF DIETY AND HUMANITY GIVEN TO US THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
