Keeping Focused on Christ During the Holidays

“Come behold the wondrous mystery, in the dawning of the King; He the theme of heaven’s praises, robed in frail humanity. In our longing, in our darkness, now the light of life has come; look to Christ, who condescended, took on flesh to ransom us.” – John Owen

As we approach this season of Advent, we would do well as Christians to pause from the hustle and bustle of life and give thought to the “reason for this season.” In the 21^st century world, there are distractions, amusements, and occupations that vie for our time and attention. The Christmas holiday season is perhaps the busiest and most joyful time of year for many. With endless Christmas movies airing around the clock, wall to wall Christmas carols playing over the radio, cookie baking, party planning, and present exchanging, it can be easy for some to get caught up in the joy and cheer of the season. However, others may feel excluded, sorrowful, or even depressed at this time of year. There is a tension in every Christmas season of joy and cheer mixed with sadness and despair, and this owing largely to the human condition. We are all in some way or another broken by the effects of sin.

The real reason for this season is the incarnation of Jesus Christ. We worship a God who is not far off but one who has come near. This is a unique time to meditate and ponder that great and glorious name for Christ; Immanuel – God with us. Wherever you are or whatever your feelings around this season, I pray that reading this article will edify your soul by pointing you to the true reason for this season: Jesus Christ. The Puritan John Owen wrote regarding the person of Christ, “Let us get it fixed in our minds that this glory of Christ in his divine-human person, is the best, the most noble and beneficial truth that we can think about or set our hearts on.” We worship a God who is not far off but one who has come near. Take this unique time to meditate and ponder that great and glorious name for Christ; Immanuel – God with us. Owen writes that “it is the neglect of meditation that keeps people in a feeble state.”

“Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery”

The apostle John tells us, “And the word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory. Glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Why did God take on flesh? Why would the God of glory, full of grace and truth, condescend to take on frail human flesh, subject himself to the effects of sin and the curse, and dwell among us? Why did the King of kings and Lord of lords, instead of being born in palace grandeur, choose the humble manger as his crib?

The Puritan Thomas Goodwin wonderfully described the incarnation of Christ: “when the Son became flesh, heaven and earth met and kissed one another, namely, God and man.” The purpose of the Incarnation was to glorify God through the salvation of sinners. God’s love for sinners was so great that he sent His only begotten Son into the world to redeem them from their mortal enemies: sin and death.

Galatians 4:4-5 tells us, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” The humbling glory of the gospel is that Jesus laid aside his heavenly glory in order that the glory of heaven might be revealed to us. If you are savingly united to Christ, then you have been redeemed from the curse of the law. No longer is any condemnation or wrath hanging over your head. This ought to stop us in our tracks and humble us in recognition of the work of God’s grace on our behalf.

“He the Theme of Heaven’s Praises, Clothed in Frail Humanity”

It should be an immense comfort to us that the Word became flesh. The American Puritan Increase Mather writes regarding the incarnation of Christ:

“It was altogether necessary that the mediator should be Godman. If Christ had been man only, he could not have been a mediator; he could not have saved one sinner nor satisfied for one sin. And if he had not been a man, but God only, he could not have been a mediator… since the elect are partakers of flesh and blood, he himself likewise took part of the same. Otherwise he could not have died, nor have made reconciliation for the sins of his people. Except he had been made flesh, he could not have shed his blood to make atonement for sinners”.

Now think about this, if Christ did not take on flesh and blood, then we have no atonement for our sins or any mediator before a holy and righteous God. If we have no atonement or mediator, then we have no propitiation, and if there is no propitiation, then the wrath of God abides on us even now. Praise be to God for the birth of Jesus Christ!

“Look to Christ”

I encourage you to set your mind often upon the mediatorial work of Christ on your behalf. Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” Our Savior Jesus Christ does not now stand unconcerned and distant from us in the heavenlies. No, the picture that Scripture paints is quite the opposite. Believer, you cannot do anything now to make Christ love you any more or less. He is not now holding a hammer over your head for your indwelling sin but he pities you, and prays for you, and gives you the present grace to sustain you. This is all because of his redeeming love, and it is only possible because of his incarnation.