LUKE 2: 11

In the Scriptures of hope we find the most sublime words “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10). Sometimes we tend to forget what Christmas and the Christmas message is all about. It is about Jesus! It is about the coming of the Messiah into our lost, broken and dying world. It is about the birth of Jesus, Incarnate deity, God the Son coming, divesting Himself of His immaculate glory, not just to tabernacle and dwell with us, but to give His life to redeem and purify unto Himself “a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). The gist of the Christmas message is God showed up, broke into our sin-cursed world, to forever save and extricate us from the powers of eternal darkness. According to His incontrovertible Word and promise -He showed up!

In fact, the entire ministry of Jesus can be characterized as such. He showed up not only in the manger that specific day, “wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12) but regularly on a continual basis, He kept showing up and making His presence known and felt in the most spectacular and phenomenal way. How pathetic it would have been for all humankind if He never showed up.

As the Gospel writers, meticulously documented various aspects of the Incarnation and other aspects of His superb life and ministry, this truth is prominently elaborated and exemplified – Jesus showed up not just in the interest of the Jewish nation but for all of humanity. The message of the angel on that most unusual night was “. . . fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10). This is a cosmopolitan message of great hope, joy, cheer and deliverance. It is to all people!

In the gospel writings, Jesus is revealed as showing up for the original twelve disciples (Mark 3:16-19). He showed up for the many physically sick and oppressed people (Luke 4:18). He showed up for the paralytic in Luke 5: 17-26. He showed up on behalf of the poor (Luke 7:22). He showed up on behalf of the voiceless and disadvantaged (John 8:1-11). He showed up for the blind (John 9:1-12). He showed up for the Gentiles – the others (Luke 7:1-10). He showed up for the Syrophoenician woman (Matthew 15:21-28). He showed up for the adulterous woman at the well of Samaria (John 4). He showed up for the blind beggar, Bartimaeus (Luke 18:35-43). He showed up for Zacchaeus, the despised tax collector (Luke 19:1-10). He showed up for the lepers (Luke 17:11-19). He showed up for Martha, Mary and deceased Lazarus (John 11:1-44). He kept showing up.

I really think sometimes we forget what Christmas is all about. It is about Him showing up in our world repeatedly and in all our lives. As He has shown up for us, we must show up for others. Christmas is about showing up for others, spreading the cheer of Jesus’ love and grace to others every day. It’s about lighting up other people’s darkness. Showing them the light! Be the light of Jesus to this yet darkened world!