But as I stand at the manger bed, I can't help but wonder why God sent Jesus to us in the first place. I certainly understand my need - and the world's need - for a Savior, but it defies all earthly wisdom for me to think that God in any way needed us. Yet we were in His heart from the foundations of the Earth. God, from His heavenly throne, sent His Son into the world, to actively pursue His children. Jesus said that He had “come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Jesus came to earth to seek and to save lost people ... lost people like you and me.
Some people describe religion as a blind leap of faith into the dark. That may be true of other religions, but that is not the way of Christianity. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12). Believing in Jesus is a rational step of faith ... a step into the light.
Other religions are examples of lost men drawing their own maps to God. Christianity is not like that. Jesus came to show us the way to God ... to be the way. He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus is the one road to God. “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the one bridge between God and man. “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
Why did Jesus come to us? He came to seek and to save man. He came to be Light in the dark world ... to show us the way to God ... to be the WAY to God. Oh, how He loves you and me.
What we see, then, in the stable of Bethlehem was the unfolding of God's plan to reconcile men to Himself. It was with good reason, too, that God the Father chose a lowly stable as the place for Jesus to be born. This lowly and humble setting was chosen to confound the wise of this world. People of "wisdom" look to rich men and palaces, but God is not impressed with these. All of the wealth and power of this world is as nothing to Him who resides in heaven. Creator of all that is, He asks only one thing of those whom He calls His children: that we love Him without reservation and accept the gift of His love as He freely pours it out unto us.
So, take Advent into January 2011 and beyond. Continue spreading the word of truth you have received this season. Go and light the fire of God in the hearts of all men. Remain steadfast in your faith in God and in the one sent by Him to deliver the world unto salvation.
We've a story to tell to the nations,
That shall turn their hearts to the right.
A story of truth and mercy,
A story of peace and light.
We've a song to be sung to the nations,
That shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
A song that shall conquer evil
And shatter the spear and sword.
We've a message to give to the nations,
That the Lord who regins up above,
Has sent us His Son to save us,
And show us that God is love.
We've a Savior to show to the nations,
Who the path of sorrow has trod,
That all of the world's great peoples
Might come to the truth of God.
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright;
And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
The Kingdom of Love and Light.
Selah (סֶלָה )
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