We have marked another December 25th. Regardless of our circumstances, the arrival of Jesus on earth inspires in Christians awe and joy. It certainly did so in the shepherds who witnessed him as a newborn (Luke 2:8-18). And His birth is full of meaning for us. The true light that enlightens every human being was coming into the world (John 1:9). Also, the promised King had arrived to establish His long-awaited Kingdom (Matthew 4:17,23).
The events around his birth, furthermore, have set in place parts of the foundation of our faith. First, His perfect humanity: the Son of God, an equal member of the Holy Trinity, set aside the privileges of divine life to become fully human—Emmanuel, God with us (Philippians 2:5-8). And second: the virgin birth of Jesus accomplished by the operation of the Holy Spirit in Mary his mother (Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38). The creeds cite these as basic tenets. We cannot consider ourselves Christians unless we believe these truths.
The Life that began with Jesus’s birth culminated in his death, resurrection and ascension. From that Life many blessings flow. We all recognize that he delivered us from our sins and re-established our relationship with the Father. In addition, incredibly, He came to live in us. Just as the Spirit of God formed His human life within Mary, so the Holy Spirit that was poured out in the Day of Pentecost deposits Him—with a share of His divine life—in our hearts. This is the life of the New Birth. God brings us into His family as newborn infants who are, nevertheless, sisters and brothers of Jesus Christ.
This Christmas gave me another opportunity to reflect on the miraculous birth of my Lord Jesus Christ. I also feel profoundly grateful for another miracle: the second birth that He has bestowed on all who have received Him (John 1:12), even me. This birth opens the way for the work of transformation, which is our journey of spiritual maturation. “See what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1).
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