Christmas.
Yes, presents and Santa and family and Polar Express and lights and food (cookies for breakfast today, fudge for lunch… seriously). I love all that.
But Christmas is about God becoming a man (well, a baby, start with). Doesn’t this beg the question: Why did He come?
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately (‘tis the season). Why did He come? The Bible has much to say, but one of the main things I’ve been musing on is this:
“Jesus came to seek and save what was lost.”
(that’s from Luke 19:10 in the Bible)
In my life I have things that have been lost, as has just about everyone I know, things like loss of:
- hope
- joy
- reputation
- dreams
- purity
- innocence
- purpose
- safety
- physical function
- relationships
- stability
- health
- self
- meaning
- security
- love
- sobriety
- finances
- significance
- happiness
But I have also seen Jesus step in and make beauty from ashes. Time and time again I’ve seen it, and in many cultures… too much to be coincidence. This builds my faith.
I am learning that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who would leave the 99 sheep to go after the one lost one. I am that one. He found me near a lake in Canada, on a hilltop in Montana, in a tiny pension in Mexico, and in my room while I lay on my bed sobbing, alone.
He comes to me still. And what He’s done for the one, He’ll do for others. He’s all about rebuilding and restoring and renewing (see Isaiah 61:1-4). He’s about giving life to the full.
This is why He came. And this is Christmas to me.
