I would like to think I’m a ‘down to earth’ guy. Being raised on a farm – touching dirt and livestock, cutting fire wood, and sweating in hay fields has shaped me.
Each of us has our story. Early experiences helped shape our expectations of ourselves. Over time, we grew as we sorted out whether these expectations were “for better OR for worse.”
We admire one who has “come into their own”, or who is “comfortable in their own skin.” I prefer to say, “Happy are those who discover the unique person God created them to be.”
The effort to portray an image or keep up appearances dwindles. Humility emerges; we become more genuine and sincere. Integrity fosters lasting relationships. Good outcomes arise due to our getting down to earth.
Christmas indicates that God’s Son GETS DOWN TO EARTH. He humbled Himself – “being in very nature God… [He took on] the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2)
Conceived by the Holy Spirit, the promised Messiah got down to earth through human birth. The angel proclaimed, “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord!” (Luke 2)
Jesus lived among us so He could be seen by us. His focus was to bring life, and life to the full, to a lost people. He was called a FRIEND of sinners; He really did get down to earth!
His miracles showed us who He was – God in human likeness. We see “the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1)
Christmas began Jesus’ earthly journey to the Cross. There He further humbled Himself, experiencing suffering, death, and burial. He entered our journey; He couldn’t get more down to earth than burial.
The “Good News” is, “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared.” In documents of history, we SEE Him as the Lord, the One and Only Saviour. In this I rejoice!
I take personally, “A Saviour has been born to YOU.” “Jesus loves ME, this I know, for the Bible tells me so!” However, I cannot assume that forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life are mine.
Rather, “to all who received Jesus, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1) This needs to be our personal response.
CHRISTMAS is about CHRIST. His getting down to earth made possible our joining Him in Heaven. He came for us.
“Are YOU with me?”
Pastor Bill Terris