I returned from Toronto a few days ago where West Coast Bible College taught a pastor training conference for a group of African pastors. These church leaders grew up in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Swaziland, but they relocated to Canada. The trip was fun; it was like visiting Africa with snow on the ground!
I use notes and slides in the sessions I teach, but sometimes, I wander off track. On one of my excursions, I brought up the subject of preaching Christmas sermons. In December, pastors tend to rehearse standard texts like Matthew 1:18-24 and Luke 2:1-20. They also recite Old Testament prophecies of the birth of Christ, such as:
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” – Micah 5:2
I have no objection to reviewing the same passages every Advent. Doing so grounds Christians in the tradition of celebrating God’s gift of His Son.
But I dared the ministers to consider using other Scriptures. Years ago, I used to preach Christmas sermons from books of the Bible that didn’t seem to mention the birth of Jesus. I did it because I believed that the Holy Spirit had infused the Word with this wonderful news.
To illustrate my point, let’s consider the Gospel of John. It contains no record of angelic visitations to Mary and Joseph, no description of their journey to Bethlehem, and no vision of the heavenly host praising God for sending the Savior to the world.
Instead, John goes to the heart of the matter. In a single verse, the apostle clarifies the value and purpose of Christmas.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
Jesus is the ultimate expression of God; He is the Father’s Word that communicates His glory, grace and truth. Our ideas about God fade into insignificance when we behold the Word made flesh.
God in the flesh–the astounding news of Christmas! John announces this fact; he doesn’t analyze it. A beneficial practice for us to copy. It takes time to reflect, to ponder the paradoxical majesty of the Incarnation.
And the beautiful thing is that Jesus took time with us. John reveals that the incarnate Word “made his dwelling among us.” The Greek verb means “tabernacled.” To put it another way, Jesus is God’s tent.
Centuries earlier, the Israelites had carried with them a special tent for the worship of God in the wilderness. Within this structure, the priests offered sacrifices to atone for sins and express gratitude to the Lord. Since the tabernacle was portable, the people could access God wherever they journeyed.
Jesus fulfilled the function of the tabernacle by providing a living and active way to God. Those who follow Him as His disciples receive the gift of the Father’s presence. Can there be a greater gift than that? No chance!
So during your Bible reading this month, look for the glory, grace, and truth of God. As you do, the Holy Spirit will reveal Christ to you in all His fullness. And you will find Christmas in places you never expected.
Even in the Gospel of John.
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