Surely there is nothing like the Christmas season. It’s undeniable that people act nicer, if only for a few days. The extra “Hello!”, the unexpected “God bless you!”, and unusually courteous gestures abound. There is “something in the air” at Christmas time. And it seems to affect the entire world. All of us wish it would just continue that way throughout the year. Christmas cheer for the whole year!
But as with every Mountaintop experience, there comes a time to go back down into the Valley of Reality.
And if we don’t go willingly, there is usually someone around to kick us off the summit. The Mountaintop moment of Christmas day was this: the “Word of God” became a Child...
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
It didn’t take long for the “ruler of this world” to kick Christmas glory back into the Valley. Satan soon dispatched his own battle plan: complete with soldiers and Swords. The Child Jesus was hunted like an animal by the Swords of Herod’s Army...
“Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.”
The arrival of Christ clearly prompted powerful opposition. As it does to this day. The Enemy of our souls does not react well to Christ, to disciples of Christ or to the work of Christ in anyone’s heart. To expect our Christian walk to be an ongoing mountaintop Christmas holiday is utterly Unbiblical.
We, like the Incarnate Christ, dwell in Enemy territory. We belong not to the “ruler of this world,” but rather to another King. Of another Kingdom. But for the rest of our days on this fallen earth, we are operating behind Enemy lines. Opposition is not only to be Expected...it is to be Engaged in a Purposeful manner... with weapons in hand.
The “sword” of Satan is not something to be casually dismissed. He is the greatest Enemy you will ever face. He fights unfairly, unjustly and with abandon. He literally has nothing to lose, and everything to gain by afflicting your soul. This is common to all mankind. Jesus Himself was tempted, tested and tried by Satan. In the desert, in the Garden and at the Cross. Satan’s swords comes in many forms, in all manner of assaults and tribulations towards everyone. No one is exempt...
“And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a Sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’ “
How are we to survive? Is it simply to receive Salvation in Christ...and then grunt it out until we die? Simply put: No! There is more than the Gift of Salvation under this Christmas tree. There is the Sword of Christ. The weapon we need to endure, to fight, to defend, to attack, to live in the Victory of Christ...here and now. And that Sword is the Word of God. Jesus is the Word. And when we receive Gift of Salvation, He offers us the Instruction manual as well. We’ve all struggled with Christmas gifts that need to be assembled. Imagine trying to do it without the manual! “Absurd!” Yes, and equally so trying to navigate this fallen world without the Word of God.
There is a compound unity presented in the Incarnate Christ: the God-Man. Christ being fully God and fully Man, simultaneously and without contradiction. There is another compound unity presented: Jesus the Savior...and the Sword. The One Who redeems us, and the One Who is the Sword Himself. The vision of Christ at His Second Coming could not be more confirming...
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ...He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God... ...Now out of His mouth goes a sharp Sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. ...And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”
This Christmas we have the opportunity to receive the glorious Gifts of the Holy Child: Salvation and the Sword. Salvation: the Mountaintop Gift. A life redeemed by the birth, death and resurrection of the Son of Man. Our sinful debt paid in full by His death. But with outstretched arms, the Son of Man simultaneously offers Himself as the Word of God. And this Word is equally Christ Himself. The Sword...for our battles in the Valley of Reality. The Sword that divides, conquers, defends, judges and fights our battles. This Sword is like no other...
“For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged Sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Under the proverbial Christmas tree are Gifts and Burdens. The Gift of Relief: Salvation in Christ. With perfect Relief of our guilt and shame. Upon accepting and receiving this Gift, we must accept the consequential Burden as well: the Sword of Reprisal...from the Enemy of our soul. Satan and his minions will fight with Swords of discouragement, temptation and obstruction every step of the Way.
But wait...there is another Gift. One that many a “Christian” have left unopened. The Word of God. The Sword. Open it. Read it. Jesus is speaking. He has Instructions, Encouragement, Answers and Promises. At the tip of His Sword.
Christ once said that we need to be more like a child in order to enter His Kingdom. And one thing is for sure...
...children don’t leave any Unopened Gifts under the tree.
