In the still of the night…

I am currently working through the book of Romans, something I like to do at least once a year. I cannot seem to get enough of this book – its theology is so rich, so deep, I could study it for the rest of my life and still feel I need to know more. Paul’s eloquence in proclaiming the excellencies of Christ is at its best in Romans. In the preface to his commentary on Romans, Martin Luther stated:

This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament. It is purest Gospel. It is well worth a Christian’s while not only to memorize it word for word but also to occupy himself with it daily, as though it were the daily bread of the soul. It is impossible to read or to meditate on this letter too much or too well. The more one deals with it, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes.

Working through the first three chapters of Romans in the week leading up to Christmas is a most blessed thing. Who would think that to be true? For in these chapters Pauls lays out an indictment against all mankind that paints a rather bleak and hopeless picture that excludes no one. He exposes the darkness of our hearts and removes any reason self-justification – there is no wiggle room in his argument. By Romans 3:20, everyone is tried and convicted, with no hope of every satisfying the sentence to be imposed for our guilt by a righteous and holy God.

Not very merry, eh?

Or is it? For it is with this truth fully explained and laid bear before us that Paul begins with equal fullness to explain the Gospel, in all its beauty, with two simple words: “But now…”

But now…in the quiet darkness of night in a seemingly insignficant village, a baby is born and the miracle of all miracles occurs. All that was promised comes to pass as God becomes man, taking the form of a servant, shedding His glory to condescend to us in our lowly state. What we celebrate – the Incarnation, the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us – is made more beautiful against the backdrop of our need for His appearance. How can we appreciate the significance of this blessed event if we are not aware of our absolute need for Him?

The Light has pierced the darkness…let us rejoice…let us adore Him…

Grace and peace…

In the begnning…

Hard to believe that Christmas is only a short week away. I seem to say that every year…and every year Christmas seems to sneak up on me and catch me unawares. As if I don’t know that it’s always on December 25…

Last night they showed Charlie Brown Christmas on TV. This is by far my favorite Christmas special. I actually own this show in DVD! That’s how much I love it. As a child, I didn’t get the significance of Charlie’s message. But now, I can see his lament, and I carry that same lament in my heart. Christmas has become a commercialized racket. Much more so now than when Charlie first started voicing his complaints and Linus so eloquently and profoundly answered his cry “Can anyone tell me what Christmas is all about?!”

Given the “PC” climate of our day, I am amazed that this show is even considered suitable for puclic viewing on primetime TV. But, I suppose its distinction as a “classic” warrants that it be shown every year. And I am very glad about that!

Too bad we don’t heed its message as we should…I so wish to focus on the true meaning of Christmas this year and quiet the clamor of the retail giants begging me to spend money I don’t have on things that I and my family and friends don’t need. At the risk of sounding too corny, I want to return to the true Christmas story…

I think it is appropriate to begin the Christmas story at, well, the beginning. And by “beginning” I mean Genesis. Do we ever think to do such a thing? To me, it is of utmost importance to be reminded…

…that we were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28);

…that we sinned and marred that image (Genesis 3:1-14);

…and that Christ was promised at the point of our fall to set right what was made wrong (Genesis 3:15).

Galatians 4:4 states: “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Christ is the promised offspring that crushes the head of the serpent. It is our Redeemer, the promised seed that would crush the head of the enemy, the One who would take on the penalty for our sinfulness…it is He who has come.

It is He whose birth we herald at Christmas.

Now, I promise you, this post and the previous two post are related to one another. There is a point, a method to my madness. I’m going somewhere with this. I’m just taking the long way around block. So hang tight as my thoughts formulate.

There’s more to come.

Grace and peace…