The Baby Grew

So it's time to start back into our routines - time to get back to work and recover from the holidays. We've enjoyed celebrating the birth of Jesus and seeing Him peacefully sleeping in a manger - but now it's time to pack Him away until next year. What?? Steve, I can't believe you said that!

Unfortunately, many around the world give Jesus center stage for a short season around Christmas and then continue with their "normal" life while keeping Christ tucked conveniently out of sight. But let's take a close look at what we just celebrated.

The promised baby was born among the animals in the town of Bethlehem; "She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7). The wonderful image of baby Jesus in a manger has, for many, become the complete picture of Christmas. The baby is easy to celebrate: He is cute; He is gentle; and He asks nothing of us - while lying in a manger, He requires no decision or commitment. It's even easy to love baby Jesus without ever facing the truth that He loved us first, and loves us now more than we can possibly comprehend.

But as we leave this Christmas season and prayerfully grow in our relationship with God, we MUST not leave the baby in the manger or pack Him away. The baby was a precious gift from our Heavenly Father, but the purpose of this gift was for the baby to grow...and then to die...and then to live again! Jesus walked this earth for 33 years and then: "Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.' When He had said this, He breathed His last" (Luke 23:46). Jesus lived to do the will of the Father, and He died on a cross to set us free - this is why the baby was born!

John 3:14-16
"The Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Remembering the birth of Jesus causes us to reflect on God's love and gives us reason to say, "Thank You!" But remembering His life and death requires a decision; "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him" (John 3:36).

Jesus was (and is) the One who provides the way to eternal life, but only for those who truly believe in His sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. As another Christmas season passes, let's continue to reflect on the complete purpose of His birth. Let's keep Him at our side for every step of this new year and always remember...the baby grew!