December, 2009. As we prepare for Christmas to arrive in a few short days, I am reminded of the first two verses of one of my favorite hymns. The song is public domain, so I have reprinted the verses here; I urge you to take time to reflect upon them:
O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;
O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine.
What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners' gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! 'Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.
As we celebrate Christmas each year, we picture the precious little baby boy lying on a bale of hay in a manger. Surrounded by his proud new parents; three wise men; a shepherd and his animals; and a host of angels, our precious baby Jesus was born. A silent night. A holy night, indeed.
I wonder, though: at Christmastime, do we give enough heed to the purpose for that precious baby's birth? After all, Jesus was not just any baby. If that night simply marked another baby's birth, why should the whole world celebrate?
Dear friends, on that silent and holy night, our King of kings and Lord of lords came to earth to die a brutal death for you and me. As you celebrate His birth, I urge you to also spend time reflecting with your loved ones upon our sin; His death; His Resurrection; and His subsequent saving grace. Re-read this hymn. Sing it. Proclaim it. As you do, I pray that you and yours will be drawn closer to our beautiful Savior. May He richly bless you and your households this Christmas season.
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