As Christmas draws near, thoughts of what happened in that manger more than two thousand years ago often come to mind. Think of it: God became a man, beginning His time here as a newborn baby. Not everyone has the same concept of God yet His Word says this of Him:
You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end. (Hebrews 1:10–12)
He is Creator and has no beginning or end. He always is and will never change or vanish. Even as I try to wrap my puny mind at those thoughts, the fact of His coming here to be like us — yet not like us — is staggering. This baby was not a created being. He existed before the beginning of the world . . .
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1–3)
God spoke and His Word, Jesus, laid the foundation of the earth and created the heavens. In the beginning implies that He existed before the beginning as the Scriptures say — He is eternal, and His Word is eternal, God who never changes, yet He appeared here, as a baby, an historical fact. Amazing!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) He did not remain a babe, yet who He is and what He does never changes. The world changes. Our lives endure constant changes. Yet this One who created us is immutable, always the same, always God and always alive to intercede for us.
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 John 2:1)
Think of it — who or what can condemn those who have received Him as their Savior? “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)
From birth to death on this planet was a brief time for this baby who grew to be a man and yet He lives forever, not only as our Savior but also as our Sustainer. Our salvation is complete and secure for as long as He lives — and He lives eternally! I stand amazed and humbled at thoughts of this Babe who is God who came to rescue me from sin.
Yes, someday this world will be changed. The Bible says:
The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:14–17)
And Jesus answers this cry with a cry of His own, not the cry of a babe in a manger but the cry of One who died that we might live when He called out, “It is finished.” He secured God’s total forgiveness for those who believe in Him.
Even though the world as we know it will end, Jesus does not end. He will create a new heaven and a new earth and all who love His appearing will be like Him.
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:2–3)
PRAY: It seems that the closer that day comes (meaning Your return or the end of my life here) the more excited I am about Christmas and about Your appearance, first as a tiny child, then as a grown man and my Savior. What a wonder that You should come, that You should suffer and die that I can live forever with You. Thank You for being the same always, and for your unchanging plan to save and keep Your followers forever.
PONDER: Read 2 Peter 3 and think how I can remind scoffers that Jesus keeps His promises and will come again. He even predicted that they would scoff! Urge them to pray for grace that they might be ready for life rather than judgment and look forward to His return.
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