The Paradox of Christmas

If you had created the world and everything in it, would you have chosen to step into its history? Would you have lived among your created beings? Would you have lowered yourself to be one of them?

“By him were all things created,” Colossians 1:16 says of Jesus.

Paul repeats it again at the end of the same verse.

“All things were made by him.”

And yet the Creator of all things lived among us.

But should His life have looked like this?

·         “Jesus was born.” (Matt. 2:1)

·         “He was subject to them.” (Luke 2:51)

·         “They mocked him and beat him. . . they struck him on the face.” (Luke 22:63,64)

·         “They crucified him.” (Luke 23:33)

This was the paradoxical life of the Creator.

Why did the Creator of all things choose this life?

He humbled Himself to give us the greatest gift.

·         “He gave himself.” (Gal. 1:4)

·         “This is my body which is given for you.” (Luke 22:19)

·         “My blood which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:20)

When John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, saw Jesus in His rightful place, he “fell at his feet as dead.” (Rev. 1:17)

But the Creator of all things laid His right hand on John and said, “Fear not.”

The Creator, who was born and lived among us; the One who was led away to a cruel death, mocked, crucified, and buried said, “Do not be afraid . . . I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.” (Rev. 1:18)

The baby we remember at Christmas was the Creator of the world. He gave Himself for us, and He lives today.

Christmas gives us the opportunity to reflect on this truth.

But let’s not dwell on the manger.

One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (see Phil. 2:10,11)