Christmas is about Messy Relationships and Receiving a Gift

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." - John 1:14

It's hard to believe 2014 has almost come to an end! This next week, we will be celebrating Christmas. This holiday has stolen our radio stations, our TV's, our homes, and if you work in retail, our sanity. But this time of year truly is “the most wonderful time of year" for personal reflections for many. Amidst the chaos of shopping, “Elf”, and long hours, let’s take time to reflect on what Christmas means for us, whatever our perspective

What is Christmas about?
The problem is when people go about doing "Christmas reflections" they are often reflecting on their own idea of Christmas, not the actual one. Reflection on our own ideas will lead us to nothing but pride and arrogance. Today's Christmas reflections can often be self-indulgent and legalistic. "Was I giving enough?" "Did I spend enough money?" "I sure hope they like what I got them." "I'm thankful I am so fortunate." These can be good things to think about, but they miss the point.

Christmas has never been about us. Christmas is about God. If we are going to take Christmas seriously, we must see it as Christians do (Say what you want about it being a Pagan holiday, so are the days of the week, but no one is whining there). And for Christians, Christmas is about mystery.

The mystery of Christmas is found in one word...wait for it...incarnation. As John 1 puts it, the "Word became flesh." The Divine perfectly united with the human. The inconceivable was conceived, while never ceasing to be eternal and infinite. The Infinite became finite. In darkness, the light entered the world. God- in the flesh. Christmas is about God.

The Triune God sought to save a rebellious humanity through an obedient human, Jesus Christ. He came as a man, so that He could truly sympathize, but was God so that He would be a perfect sacrifice. He was made man so that He could suffer; He was God so as to be without sin. Two natures, one true person, He was without conflict in mission. His mission was to "save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21). Only Jesus could do it.

Therefore Christmas is also a celebration of the cross. Jesus Christ was the perfect sacrifice, bearing the wrath of a Holy God. Jesus would die, be buried, and rise again to conquer sin, death and Hell. By faith in this work, He rescues and ransoms people for His glory.

Yes, Christmas is about gifts. A gift. The gift of eternal life. And that is what Christians celebrate and what personal Christmas reflections call us to. We are called to reflect on the gospel- the good news- the work of Jesus Christ and the glorious mystery of His incarnation which is foundational to the gospel itself. We must reflect on the incarnation because without it, our gospel has major holes in it. In fact, without the duo-nature of Christ we have no salvation.

"Prepare Him Room" Music for Advent

Advent is quickly approaching!  Advent is a season of not only celebrating the coming of our Savior (Christmas) but anticipating His second Advent n glory.  I have found emphasizing this season in my life (and the life of a church) can be deeply enriching.  A great place to start is with Gospel-Centered Advent music.  Sovereign Grace has recently released a new album of Advent music.  Check it out and I pray it benefits you in this Advent season.  Playlist comes via Sovereign Grace's Bandcamp:

Merry Christmas! As we leave this season behind, here is a cool thought:

"...there was no place for them in the inn." ~ Luke 2:7

While many of us, Christian and none, no that there was no room in the inn, have we ever thought about why?  Well, I would say it was due to the influx people for the census by Caesar.  But I'd say the Lord was behind the census, not only so that prophecy may fulfilled (Micah 5:2) but so that, for our sake, He may experience true poverty, in love so that we may have true riches.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." ~ 2 Cor. 8:9

Saint Augustine on the Incarnation

Man’s maker was made man,
that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother’s breast;
that the Bread might hunger,
the Fountain thirst,
the Light sleep,
the Way be tired on its journey;
that the Truth might be accused of false witness,
the Teacher be beaten with whips,
the Foundation be suspended on wood;
that Strength might grow weak;
that the Healer might be wounded;
that Life might die.

- Augustine of Hippo

Christmas: Deaths Death Sentence

The apostle John, in his hotly debated vision letter called Revelation or more properly, "The Revelation to John", he gives us a vision of Christmas unlike any other that Scripture gives. And in light of the recent murmur about a pagan calender and the end of the world, I felt it a great time amongst all the reading of Christmas devotions, watching of movies and decorating of tress to gaze at the Cosmic perspective of Christmas and at the true meaning of the holiday.

Christmas Killed Religion

Christmas Killed Religion from Matt Shown on Vimeo.


This was a message I preached back in November of 2011, at Yellow Creek Baptist Church as a part of the "Christmas in April" youth event.

Check out the Worship band Days Of April: facebook.com/pages/Days-Of-April/164163037001968

One thing I learned from this was to PUT THE STAND IN FRONT OF ME NEXT TIME!! haha. Still learning I guess.

To God be the Glory!!

Merry Christmas!!

I shall be taking the rest of the week off from the blog to rejoice in the season.  Along with enjoying family and friends.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Don't forget it's about more then the gifts, but about the ultimate gift we received 2,000 years ago.

"Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth"