Last week when we (Tom, Bonnie and I) were in London, I took some photos of the lights of the city at Christmas. Of course there is always a church steeple beautifully lit to remind one of the reason for celebrating Christmas.
Then there are the street lights on the commercial streets with the shops and department stores.
But, the REAL REASON TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS is to remember that we are celebrating the INCARNATION. Perhaps it is because I am celebrating alone in England this year (by choice as my life has been very hectic the past few weeks and will be again for the next three weeks), or perhaps it is the result of a sermon I heard about 2 weeks ago -- but, I have been reflecting upon two phrases this season.
The first is that Christ was BORN KING! He was not as Prince Charles who was born a prince and will one day be king but CHRIST IS GOD AND HE WAS WITH THE FATHER AT CREATION AND WAS "BORN KING." CHRIST WAS ALWAYS KING AND WILL ALWAYS BE KING AND HE WAS BORN KING. The WISE men came to Herod seeking one who was BORN KING. What a remarkable truth to meditate upon.
The second phrase is one taken from a carol I heard being sung on TV. I have sung the very phrase myself countless times, BEGOTTEN NOT CREATED. Christ was BORN KING and BEGOTTEN NOT CREATED. Do I really appreciate what these words mean? Do I really appreciate God's grace and love? Here was ONE who resigned Himself to becoming a baby to grow and suffer and be tempted in all points like I am -- yet without sin -- and all for the purpose of making atonement for me. When William Tyndale translated the Bible into English in the early 16th century, he looked for a word to explain how we become at one with the Father. When he could not find the word, he invented a word, AT-ONE-MENT, atonement! Christ was BORN KING, "begotten not created," so that I could have atonement! May I never forget to meditate upon this truth.
Merry Christmas to you as you meditate upon these things!
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