A Babe Wrapped in Swaddling Clothes

Fa la la la la and deck the halls.

Christmas trees adorned with lights and memories in the form of ornaments.

Presents followed by a mess of bows and wrapping paper.

Santa Clause, Rudolph, and Frosty the Snowman.

Happy Holidays.

Seasons Greetings.

A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Merry CHRISTmas.

Man it is way too easy to make Christmas about commercialism.

About us.

“Me,” “My,” and “I” are the vocabulary of the season.

There is way more emphasis placed on receiving than giving, when isn’t giving where the real joy comes from?

I’m not saying it’s wrong or painful to receive gifts.

Quite the opposite really.

I love opening presents and getting new things.

The key here is just to remember that everything we open or get pales in comparison to the ultimate gift that we have been given.

A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.

My prayer for myself and for you is that we would be humbled and filled with joy this Christmas by one of the most humbling things anyone has ever done.

The King of kings and the Lord of lords, the Creator and Sustainer of the entire UNIVERSE left the throne and the glories of Heaven, where He ruled and reigned, to come to this sin filled, disgusting earth.

This alone is astounding. This would be amazing even if He had come in the form of a king, in majesty and honor, in all that He is and is deserving of, to save this world.

But no. That’s not what happened and that’s why it is amazing all the more.

How did He come instead?

A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.

A baby. Considerably one of the most feeble and helpless states a human could ever exist in.

The King of kings, helpless.

And then He had to grow up and endure the trials of this life.

All the drama and hardships and failure of bodies and immune systems we have to deal with: He suffered them too. Willingly. Without complaint or anger in His heart.

And then, as my home pastor has been wonderfully stating, the babe of Bethlehem became the Christ of Calvary.

And this Christ, Jesus, fulfilled every prophesy ever foretold, and by shedding His blood, His perfect, flawless blood, is able to present a filthy, wretched sinner like me as righteous before a just and holy God.

A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Salvation from sin.

Oh praise Him!

Dance and sing and be filled with JOY about this fantastic gift that will never fail, break, or disappoint.

And so, this Christmas, amongst many other things, I am most thankful that, by His grace, the Lord has chosen me and that every day He helps me to lay down my life and will in surrender to His. I am thankful that He loves me unconditionally. I am thankful that because of the humility of Jesus Christ, displayed in His birth, life, and death, I have the ultimate privilege of walking through life on this sin filled, disgusting earth with a perfect, loving God. I rejoice even more that when I leave this earth I will be in the presence of my Almighty God and will get to praise Him forever and ever in all of His glory.

“'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.’”  

Luke 2:10-14