The First King-Sized Bed

While in seminary, a friend of mine, shared with me the title of his first ever Christmas sermon:  "The Baby, Who Must, Now, Grow Up.'

His premise: enjoying 'sweet Jesus, Savior-boy' is fine -- but the Savior-boy must grow up, becoming a Mighty Lord, ruling our lives. 

Frankly, often we miss this aspect of the Christmas story since Christ as Savior appears to be the dominant theme in the Jesus-birth-narrative.  I mean, when the angel came to Joseph, detailing the coming of Christ, the angel said:

"...Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins..."  (Matthew 1:20-21).

And that's true.  Absolutely, positively true!

But it's interesting: the name of Jesus most literally means rescuer -- suggesting a more comprehension salvation -- beyond -- just salvation from sin/s.

As Christoph Blumhardt has noted, this wider reach of salvation -- as rescue -- is significant:

"...[For] in this age of widespread disaster and misfortune, so many people lose the light of life...that the Father in heaven wants to give them -- that our present life, which is beset by misfortune, will not end in defeat -- but instead will lead to a new life of blessing and light. 

Wherever the gospel is preached in the present death-ridden world -- people will be given a new wisdom. 

They must learn that through the name Jesus -- life and salvation are promised to a dying, unhappy humankind. They must know that this world’s suffering will not have the upper hand. 

The Father in heaven is alive, and keeps watch over all living things because they came from him; he will not allow them to be lost. https://www.plough.com/en/topics/faith/bible-studies/what-does-the-name-jesus-mean

Blumhardt states well, what we discover when we allow the baby Jesus, to grow up:

• We discover -- our present life does not end in defeat; 
• We discover -- the world's suffering does not have the upper hand; for...
• We discover -- a new life of blessing, light and wisdom, can, indeed, occur. 

Why?  Because the Father in heaven is alive, keeping watch, not allowing us to be lost. 

Now, part of such salvation is rescue from sin.  No doubt!

But God's salvation, in Christ, is far greater -- going beyond freedom from sin -- expanding to other aspects of liberation. 

Mary suggests additional freedom/s, in her famed song:  The Magnificat. 

"And Mary said, I’m bursting with God-news; I’m dancing the song of my Savior God...What God has done for me will never be forgotten...His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him. He bared his arm and showed his strength, scattered the bluffing braggarts. He knocked tyrants off their high horses, pulled victims out of the mud. The starving poor sat down to a banquet; the callous rich were left out in the cold. He embraced his chosen child, Israel; he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high. It’s exactly what he promised.  (Luke 1:46-55, The Message) 

As Mary bursts with God news -- we're to burst with God news as well -- worshipping the new-born babe - but, eventually -- letting the babe grow up -- allowing His mercy, His salvation -- to flow "...in wave after wave...[baring] his arm and [showing] His strength..." over all of life.   

For the Jesus who's born this blessed Christmas is not only Savior but "...Christ the Lord..."  (Luke 2:9).  And as Lord, is King -- holding sway over everything, for "...the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, emphasis added) 

Years ago, Howard Thurman, an African-American theologian, educator, and civil right leader, tried to summarize the implications of Christ's government -- of Christ's 'grown-up' role/rule, as Lord -- as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.  Thurman did so in a litany called "The Work of Christmas."  

"...When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins:  to find the lost, to heal the broken,to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart.." 

Sounds like a great way to not only celebrate Christmas --- but -- to carry-out Christmas -- to allow baby Jesus to grow up -- becoming not only Messiah but Master -- not only Savior but Sovereign -- over all.  As we, in Thurman's words, reflecting Mary's song...

• Find the lost...  
• Heal the broken...
• Feed the hungry...
• Release the prisoner...
• Rebuild the nations...
• Bring peace among the people...
• Make music in the heart!

I pray you had a great Christmas!  But I pray you have even greater Christ-Life -- extending and sharing that Life, with an ever-widening circle of persons who don't know Christ and the wideness of Christ's salvation.  

And so, in the familiar words of Issac Watts...

",,,Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n, and heav’n, and nature sing. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love..."  - Issac Watts (emphasis added).