A Christmas Primer: Lesson 4, The Mystery and Mercy of Christmas

We know from personal experience the outrage felt when laws are wantonly disobeyed and the disobedience is met with a shrug. It roils the soul. We instinctively know that lawbreaking should not go unpunished otherwise laws would be meaningless. What is true in earthly justice, is true in the heavenly. From the beginning human beings have been breaking God’s law, and to allow such lawbreaking to go unpunished would make a mockery of the law and of the One who established it.

Though everyone from the first has been receiving the just penalty for lawbreaking, death, there is yet a day when the full force of the sentence will be carried out. When will that be? On the Day of Judgment. On that Day all lawbreaking will be brought before the Judge and dealt with according to the rule of His law. Every person will have to give an answer, to make a defense, and none will be found righteous, “no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Unless . . . unless they are found to be “in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

God has acted to provide evidence that the guilty can present to the Judge to escape condemnation. He has sent His Son to fulfill the law and allow those who place their trust in the Him to have His fulfillment of the law put on their account, therefore wiping out their record of lawbreaking (Romans 8:3). This representative accomplishment of the law’s demands is a gift of God’s mercy.

But what kind of person could this be who could actually accomplish all righteousness and so stand in our place on the Day? It would have to be one, as the Heidelberg Catechism teaches, who is “a true and righteous man and yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, one who is at the same time true God” (Q. 15). This is the mystery and mercy of Christmas. The baby born in Bethlehem had been sent to be Immanuel (God with us) so that he might be Jesus (Yahweh saves). God seeing our lost condition fully enters into our existence to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. In this, God is shown to be “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26). May we give thanks this Christmas for his grace.

A Christmas Primer: Lesson 3, Rejoice? or Reject?

The reactions recorded in the Gospels to the news that the time for the appearance of the long-awaited Messiah had arrived tell us much about the meaning of Christmas. They fall out in one of two ways: joy or dread. There is no middle ground. The strength of the responses suggests that the people involved knew what was at stake. The coming of the King meant that the status quo could no longer stand. For some, that prospect was thrilling; for others, deeply troubling. 

Though the implications of the advent of the Messiah have been layered over with all manner of cultural and religious practices, to the extent that many are not even aware of his arrival let alone the implications of his coming, the initial reactions remain appropriate. His name is Jesus, a name given to him because he came to save people from their sins. This salvation is not just to release people from the futility they might feel about their lives, but to provide them with a righteousness that will allow them to stand on the Day of Judgment. Without that righteousness no one will be able to bear the scrutiny of the holy judge. And the subsequent sentencing will be devastating. That is why the response to the coming of Jesus is just as vital today as when the Messianic age dawned.

Of all the people who rejoiced at the news, Mary is central and most compelling. Though a young woman (she is believed to have been in her teens), she exhibits a mature knowledge of Scripture, a discerning spirit, a humble heart, and extraordinary faith. At every turn she responds with a readiness to bear the cross laid upon her. “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord . . .” She will receive a great reward on that Day.

On the other hand, Herod is the prime example of those who felt threatened. Firmly ensconced as the ruler of a small patch of the Roman Empire, he desired to remain such, even if it meant killing members of his own family. Upon hearing of the Messiah’s birth, his only thought was to destroy him. He will have much to answer for on that Day.

The Messiah has come. As Simeon prophesied, he is “appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed.” This was fulfilled then, and continues to be now. But it’s ultimate fulfillment will come on the Day when all will stand before him and be compelled to declare him King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

A Christmas Primer: Lesson 2, Who? What? Where?

In his letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul reveals what motivated God to act as he did when he sent his Son to die on the cross: “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). This teaching, offered to a church that was infected with a destructive pride, has tremendous resonance with the events surrounding the birth of Jesus.

Every aspect of what took place appears to have been designed by God to undercut humanity’s bent toward pride and power. The divinely sent conqueror arrives not in a chariot but a young maiden’s womb. His palace, a stable; his throne, a manger. His first earthly messengers are shepherds, considered unclean and unscrupulous by their neighbors. His herald, a child of barrenness. His presence, a provocation to the powerful. His future, an ignominious death. 

If anything is lost in the clutter of the season, it’s this: the humble, and humbling, origins of Christmas. With the deluge of festivities, bright lights, parties, and gift-giving, these realities tend to get swamped. But they are important to bring to the surface. It’s in them that the reason why the child came, to save his people from their sins, find their first expression. In order to accomplish his task, he will have to yield to the world’s pride. He will have to become foolish, weak, despised. But by his obedience to the divine will he will bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

It all begins in Bethlehem, in the backyard of an inn, with a baby born into an unknown family from a town of ill-repute. It’s the way God works.

A Christmas Primer: Lesson 1, The Biblical Foundations

Trees, decorations, lights, giving of gifts, parties, family gatherings, cards, television specials, and the occasional creche or performance of the Messiah, these are the trappings of the season. In and of themselves, they are not bad things. But they do have the power to obscure the biblical foundation of Christmas. Consider the following words from an oft-sung carol heard at this time of year:

God rest you merry, gentlemen,
let nothing you dismay,
remember Christ our Savior
was born on Christmas day,
to save us all from Satan's pow'r
when we were gone astray;
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

There’s a lot of important information in that verse that has been lost in the clutter of all the goings-on of the “holiday season.” Alas, the tune is no longer a celebration of salvation. Instead, it has become part of the shopping mall playlist or rendered background music for a trip up the elevator.

I’m not griping. I’m grieving.

The Bible relates that the birth of Jesus signals the fulfillment of God’s word. “As it is written,” “this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken,” “for so it is written by the prophet,” all point to the reality that God had planned this redemption long before, from before the foundation of the world, in fact. He purposed that he would “save his people from their sins” and sent his son to accomplish the task. Those with eyes to see and ears to hear understood that the one born in Bethlehem was the substance of God’s promises.

I may be deluded, but it seems that generations past were aware of these basic facts. I have a feeling that when they sang Christmas carols they knew enough of the story to know what the words spoke of, even if they didn’t believe them.

A lot of ground has been lost. Our neighbors are ignorant. That’s why we need to be educated and to educate. Pray that our Christmas Primer will go some distance in helping us to make the biblical foundation of the season known.

Is It Worth It?

It is not an uncommon experience for a Christian to weigh the wisdom of holding fast to the faith when there are so many pressures placed upon the believer to abandon it: a family member or neighbor scoffs, what we have to say consistently fall on deaf ears, all the power and influence appears to reside in the hands of those who oppose the church and its mission, or, as has recently been the case, the persecutor’s sword is at the throat. In the face of such opposition, it’s not unusual for enervating thoughts to creep into one’s head, “Is this worth it? Is there any reason for me to keep confessing this stuff? Do I really want to continue being associated with such an impotent and irrelevant institution as the church?” Assuredly there is, for the faith we confess rests not in the effectiveness or faithfulness of church, but in the God who makes and keeps covenant. It’s because of who he is and what he purposes that we should “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (Hebrews 10:23). The following is a brief catechism based upon Micah 7 (with a couple of other portions of Micah thrown in) that I hope will convince you of this truth:

What is God’s goal?

To bring glory to his name (4:1-5)

How has he done this?

By creating for himself a people who declare his glory (7:8-10, 18; 4:1-7)

What kind of people has he created?

A holy people (7:7)

What does it mean for a people to be holy?

It means that they are set apart, possessed by God from all other peoples, and their lives reflect the fact that they have been set apart, possessed by God (7:16-19)

What has he done to meet his goal?

Entered into covenant with them (7:20)

How does this accomplish his goal?

It binds the entire weight of his character and attributes to the accomplishing of the goal (7:15, 20)

Will that prove sufficient to accomplish the goal?

Certainly, for he is not only capable of accomplishing the task, he delights in it (7:15, 18)

Why does he delight in accomplishing this goal?

Because it brings him glory (7:18a)

What in particular has he done, or is doing, to have for himself a holy people?

He has dealt with their past sins and is working on their present sins (7:18-19)

How has he dealt with their past sins, and how does he work on their present sins?

By sending his Son, the promised Messiah, to accomplish in the flesh what his people could not, namely all righteousness, both in his obedience to the law and his atoning death; and in the sending of his Holy Spirit to abide in his people by whose power he is transforming them to walk in the holiness that marks his people (5:2-6, 10-14; cf., Romans 8:1-4, 31-39)

Does this bring him glory?

Yes, for it is all a product of his mercy, grace, and love, and makes a mockery of false gods and the dire predictions of foolish, boastful people (7:18-20; 7:10).

What should we do as we wait for God to accomplish his goal?

Remain steadfast and patient, praying with faith (7:7)

"O My People"

“My forebears came over on the Mayflower.” I’ve met a couple of people who’ve made this claim. In this country, that’s about as far back (nearly 400 years) as anyone can lay claim to some sort of discernible relationship with previous generations of their family (well, at least for those who emigrated from Europe -- it may very well be that some descended from the native population at the time of the Pilgrims’ landing might claim a longer lineage). But I think it’s safe to say that few, if any, consider in a lively manner how the realities of an older generation affect their own. That was then, this is now. Biblically, however, it’s a different matter.

In chapter 6, Micah summons God’s people to hear the Lord’s indictment against them. Yahweh asks, “O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me!” They have no cause to abandon the Lord; he has been faithful. The proof? In verses 4-5 Yahweh asks that they “remember” his delivering of them from Egypt, his provision and protection as they journeyed, as well as their crossing over the Jordan to take possession of the land promised to their forefathers. “There’s your proof!” What we are likely to miss in this exchange, however, is how chronologically far removed Micah’s generation is from the events Yahweh cites. Moses lived circa 1400 BC, Micah circa 700 BC.Yet the Lord speaks as though it was they that he had shepherded into Canaan. Why does he do this? How can he do this? It’s because “my people” are covenant people.

More than any other factor, what defines God’s people as God’s people is that they are in covenant with him. From Abraham to Micah, succeeding generations had this constant: Yahweh was their God by reason of the covenant that he made with them. This is why Zechariah, prophesying over John the Baptist some 700 years after Micah, exults in God’s remembering “his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham.” Importantly, this why the apostle Paul can speak of non-Jewish believers in Jesus as the “offspring of Abraham,” “the circumcision,” and “the Israel of God.” Additionally, this is why God can put to the side circumcision and dietary and ceremonial laws, things identified with God’s people for a time, because these were not what ultimately defined them.

What does this mean? As in Micah’s day, so now, we are to remember God’s faithfulness in keeping covenant, which calls for faithfulness from his people, no matter the circumstance or century.

Preservation, Purification, Protection

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5, concerning the church, that God "has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation" (v. 9). This is the gospel stated in its most succinct form. Those who are in union with Christ are saved from the dreadful day of judgment. And as is evident in God's dealings with Israel, he keeps his word. He preserves for himself a people who will experience the fullness of his mercy. But as is also evident in his dealings with Israel, the blissful destination doesn't guarantee a blissful journey. A lot of divine effort goes into protecting and preserving God's elect. The closing verses of Micah 5 give insight into the process, a process that's focused on fulfilling the 1st command, "You shall have no other gods before me," a process that roots out the enemy within and defeats the enemies without. 

First he attacks "horses," "chariots" and "strongholds." These were entities in which Israel trusted to keep the enemies at bay and their future secure. Then he purposes to "cut off sorceries," false sources of discernment and insight. Next he intends to destroy "carved images . . . pillars . . . cities," objects and centers of idolatry. All of these work to undermine the singular devotion and trust that God's people should have in him as the one who redeemed them from slavery and made of them a kingdom of priests. 

His protection also includes dealing with the external enemies of his people. The people of God have always been under threat. As I write, there is significant persecution being perpetrated against the elect in parts of the world. Nevertheless, God will not allow any nation to have the final say about their destiny. He states that "in anger and wrath" he will "execute vengeance on the nations that did not obey." Dictators may flex their nationalistic muscles or pious murderers may wield their sacred swords, but they will not prevail over God's intention to have for himself a people who will enjoy his presence eternally. 

Of course, the one shepherding this process is the Bethlehem-born Messiah who stands "in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God." And because of the protection he affords, "they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth" (5:4). 

As Paul urges, let's "encourage one another and build one another up" as we consider Yahweh's gracious goal for his people (1 Thess. 5:11).