Since the Christmas story happened more than 2,000 years ago, every year at this time, it is retold, restaged, and revisited by people all over the world. And people continue to be mesmerized and fascinated by it. Yes, the Christmas story is awesome.
According to Sarah Coleman, the love story of Mary and Joseph gives out five lessons for couples to learn from:
1. Trust God. “Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.’ And then the angel left her.” (Luke 1:38) Trust God. For He knows what He’s doing.
2. Trust your partner. “As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. ‘Joseph, son of David,’ the angel said, ‘do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20). Perfect loves casts out fear. Trust your partner and love him/her without fear nor doubt.
3. Love can grow in difficult circumstances. “When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.” (Matthew 1:24). There would be many trials along the way but love is purified and strengthened in the fire.
4. Walk it out together. “And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.” (Luke 2:4). Go on the journey together for two are better than one. Protect each other, share the load. For the journey is better together.
5. Look for the stable. “She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there no lodging available for them.” (Luke 2:7) Some of us may be living in our own “stable.” But do not despair, wait for a miracle and change your outlook.
Paul David Tripp (2017) says that there are three things we often forget about the Christmas story and they are: 1) Sacrifice — look in the manger and know that the baby came to do one thing: he came to die. Thus, Christmas is a deeply sad story — a reminder to us of one who would suffer because God loved us and there was no other way; 2) Honesty — Tripp adds, “The Christmas story confronts us and the falsehood that we’re okay and we could manage our lives. It is a deeply humbling story – you have to allow yourself to be honest about what this story tells you about you.” And 3) Glory — Tripp claims, “What is more glorious than the love and grace of God demonstrated by this story?” God did not say, Enough already. I’ve had it with you. Instead he says, No. I’m going to send my son, subject him to terrible things so that you can be reunited with me again. Think sacrifice, think honest, and think glory — this is the core of the Christmas Story.
Let us be reminded that the tree is a symbol of everlasting life (according to Martin Luther), so let’s enjoy our tree. Christmas also brings the greatest truths of the Gospel to light in public. Our roots as a Christian nation are showcased. May joy, love and peace be yours this Christmas season and beyond. Remember: Christ is the reason for the season! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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