The Christmas Spirit?

#1 · December 27, 2002, 12:01 am

Quote from Forum Archives on December 27, 2002, 12:01 am
Posted by: biblenotes <biblenotes@...>

The Christmas Spirit?

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)

"Is this the Christ?" This was the question often asked by the Jewish people as they saw the miracles, heard the words, and experienced the loving touch of Jesus of Nazareth. Many of them said something like this, "Is not this the Christ?", or "When Christ cometh what can He do that this man has not done?". On the other hand, there were many doubters who stumbled at the rocks of hardship, the road of humility, and the reality of seemingly helpless humanity that were all a part of the life of Jesus.

Many speak of the spirit of Christmas. Some try to experience it, to show it, by entering into the cheer of gift-giving (and getting) and of doing a little something extra for some charitable cause. But, who of us indeed has entered into the true depths of the spirit of Christmas as it relates to the true mission and manner of Christ's coming into this world? Let us consider what Christmas meant to Christ Himself and whether you and I are truly willing to take upon ourselves the spirit of Christmas.

"though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich"

Abundance Abandoned

"The Son of man hath not where to lay his head." (Matthew 8:20)

Jesus left the abundance of limitless resources and partook of the poverty of the lowliest humanity.

He came from the throne room of God in glory to a manger in the little city of Bethlehem,

From the perfection of needing nothing to the perplexity of needing the very necessities of life,

From the lavishness of eternity to the limitations of time,

Jesus pointed out the widow who gave all that she had and thus gave more than all the rich men; but, Jesus Who truly had it all, gave His all for us and will share His all with us throughout eternity.

Attributes Laid Aside?

He did not cease to have all the qualities, or attributes, of God; but He willingly refrained from exercising them in any way to selfishly ease His own burden. Remember that He could have gone much earlier to rescue Lazarus before his illness took his life, but Jesus waited and endured the awful pain not only of Lazarus' death, but also the sharing of pain with those left to mourn. Hence we read, "Jesus wept". (John 11:35)

On this occasion, He said to his disciples, "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him." (John 11:15)

Here we see that Christ's very omniscience was a sore burden to His human nature. Say, He suffered the direct and indirect consequences of the heavenly Father's divine decisions. And, though He knew the past, present, and future, He did only the perfect will of God the Father in the present.

Angelic Assistance Avoided

We know about the angels announcing Christ's birth first to Mary, then to Joseph, and finally to the shepherds in the field. We recall how that angels were allowed to minister unto Him once He completed the forty days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness. But, when it would seem to all human reasoning that He needed them the most, Jesus would not even nod His head to the twelve legions of angels who doubtless stood ready to protect and avenge Him at the time of His crucifixion (Matthew 26:53). Would we do as He did and rather pray, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."? (Luke 23:34)

So came the Son of God, the Creator of man, to Himself become the only man Who could save us from our sins.

Much more could and has been said, but I ask how does our "Christmas spirit" compare to this?

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (I Peter 2:21-24)

Yours In Christ,
Martin Overfield

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Posted by: biblenotes <biblenotes@...>

The Christmas Spirit?

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)

"Is this the Christ?" This was the question often asked by the Jewish people as they saw the miracles, heard the words, and experienced the loving touch of Jesus of Nazareth. Many of them said something like this, "Is not this the Christ?", or "When Christ cometh what can He do that this man has not done?". On the other hand, there were many doubters who stumbled at the rocks of hardship, the road of humility, and the reality of seemingly helpless humanity that were all a part of the life of Jesus.

Many speak of the spirit of Christmas. Some try to experience it, to show it, by entering into the cheer of gift-giving (and getting) and of doing a little something extra for some charitable cause. But, who of us indeed has entered into the true depths of the spirit of Christmas as it relates to the true mission and manner of Christ's coming into this world? Let us consider what Christmas meant to Christ Himself and whether you and I are truly willing to take upon ourselves the spirit of Christmas.

"though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich"

Abundance Abandoned

"The Son of man hath not where to lay his head." (Matthew 8:20)

Jesus left the abundance of limitless resources and partook of the poverty of the lowliest humanity.

He came from the throne room of God in glory to a manger in the little city of Bethlehem,

From the perfection of needing nothing to the perplexity of needing the very necessities of life,

From the lavishness of eternity to the limitations of time,

Jesus pointed out the widow who gave all that she had and thus gave more than all the rich men; but, Jesus Who truly had it all, gave His all for us and will share His all with us throughout eternity.

Attributes Laid Aside?

He did not cease to have all the qualities, or attributes, of God; but He willingly refrained from exercising them in any way to selfishly ease His own burden. Remember that He could have gone much earlier to rescue Lazarus before his illness took his life, but Jesus waited and endured the awful pain not only of Lazarus' death, but also the sharing of pain with those left to mourn. Hence we read, "Jesus wept". (John 11:35)

On this occasion, He said to his disciples, "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him." (John 11:15)

Here we see that Christ's very omniscience was a sore burden to His human nature. Say, He suffered the direct and indirect consequences of the heavenly Father's divine decisions. And, though He knew the past, present, and future, He did only the perfect will of God the Father in the present.

Angelic Assistance Avoided

We know about the angels announcing Christ's birth first to Mary, then to Joseph, and finally to the shepherds in the field. We recall how that angels were allowed to minister unto Him once He completed the forty days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness. But, when it would seem to all human reasoning that He needed them the most, Jesus would not even nod His head to the twelve legions of angels who doubtless stood ready to protect and avenge Him at the time of His crucifixion (Matthew 26:53). Would we do as He did and rather pray, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."? (Luke 23:34)

So came the Son of God, the Creator of man, to Himself become the only man Who could save us from our sins.

Much more could and has been said, but I ask how does our "Christmas spirit" compare to this?

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (I Peter 2:21-24)

Yours In Christ,
Martin Overfield

Please pass this Bible Note to others who may
be interested or helped by it.
To subscribe to FREE Bible Notes just send an empty e-mail to
[email protected]