Putting on my memory hat and trying to recall my early years as a child at Christmas-time takes some real doing any more. However, there are some very real joys that I do recall, like the year that I got a Ringling Bros/Barnum & Bailey circus train with all the people, animals and even the big-top tent. All those things are gone now, except for the train and tracks along with a bill-board sign which has a built-in train whistle. On another Christmas, Dad bought us our first TV, I think about 1951 or 1952. It was great to watch the programs we had listened to on the radio (really tells my age, doesn't it?).
I don't remember when we first were able to watch "The Miracle on 34th Street," but it has been a tradition ever since then. This movie is one of the most loved and seasonally watched movies of all time. My favorite is the 1947 version and no matter what one thinks about colorization (it was first produced in black and white) I love it best in color. Further, I suppose my fascination with this movie is that Kris Kringle wins the hearts of the unbelieving and wins his freedom in the NY court which declares that this kindly old gentleman is indeed Santa Claus.
However, for me, saddest part of the movie is that it never acknowledges that the advent of God the Son is the real miracle, not just on 34th Street, but for the whole world. The Bible tells us that the One known by the name Jesus is the Savior of the world. In fact, His very name means "God Saves." The angel from God announced to Joseph that "you shall call His name Jesus for He will save His people from their sins" which is found in Matthew 1:18-25.
As this couple, from over 2000 years ago, considered what all these strange things meant, God opened their minds to understand. Did they comprehend it all? Did they instantly believe who Jesus really was and what He would do? Probably not, but the Scripture indicates that they "believed God" and they acted faithfully on that belief!
As we too consider this "Miracle of miracles" concerning the birth of Jesus on that long ago Christmas day, we may not understand all that took place. However, we need to just believe and God will speak to us all that we need to know, just as He spoke to Mary and Joseph. The fact stands, He will save us from our sins if we will just believe.
The Scripture also says that He is called Immanuel, a title which means "God with us." In a Christmas message entitled "Christmas Simplified," Dr. Mike Romberger of Mission Hills Church in Littleton, CO, has reminded us of these two facts: Jesus is the ever present God who saves. Therefore, the birth of Christ had as its ultimate purpose to restore, to its original status, the only part of God's creation which was made in His image and, to make it possible for Him to "feel our pain" and be our sympathetic Savior (God with us). What a great miracle of which we are reminded in this season of Christmas each year.
Merry Christmas, 2010
http://www.missionhills.org/events-resources/sermons
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