Christmas Eve
In 1 Kings 19, we find the prophet Elijah running for his life after having defeated the false prophets of Baal. Queen Jezebel was not impressed, to say the least, and threatened Elijah with the same fate. So Elijah took off for the wilderness, where the angel of the Lord sustained him with food and water. Elijah continued his journey until he reached Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God. It is there that Elijah spoke with the Lord:
“…At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper.” (1 Kings 19:11b-12, CSB)
God, the Creator of the universe, did not speak in a great wind, an earthquake, or a fire. He spoke in a soft whisper. Elijah spent his fear in running and fasting before he could hear the voice of God.
God may desire our loyalty and faithfulness, but He will never demand our allegiance. He understands our limitations, our fears, and our needs. With Elijah, God gave him food, drink, and rest before speaking with him. He knew Elijah would not be able to hear Him otherwise. And besides, do you want to draw close to someone who shouts at you?
Drawing near is all God ever wants of us. So, it should not be surprising that He who spoke in the whisper came as a humble babe in a manger.
God lets us approach Him. And what is more approachable than a baby — small and vulnerable? He came as a baby, grew and matured, as we all do, and showed us indescribable love, unquestionable authority, and overwhelming grace. Christ came into the world as we all do, and He experienced life with all its joys and sorrows, yet “He was despised, and we did not esteem Him” (Isa 53:3b, NKJV). The limitations humans put on Christ cannot contain Him though, the prophet Isaiah tells us just who this child is:
“For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven's Armies
will make this happen!” (Isa. 9:6-7, NLT)
Tonight, let us remember that we are celebrating not just the birth of a baby, but Christ the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
A Song – “Mary, Did You Know;” “Angels We Have Heard on High”
A Reading – Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-20
Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
