The Best Gifts Are 'Down To Earth' Gifts!

On Christmas we too are reminded the best gifts are ‘down to earth’ gifts – ‘in the flesh’ gifts -- radiating love.   For the essence of Jesus is God incarnate – radiating pure, grace-full compassion. 

John says it best in John 1:14 – And “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”    (John 1:14).   And so this is not just any day, this is a day brimming over -- full of grace and truth.  A day full of Jesus! 

It’s interesting the phrase ‘and the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us’ is best translated:  and God pitched His tent of flesh among us.  It’s reminiscent of the Jewish concept of the ‘Tent of Meeting,’ the portable tabernacle that moved with the Jewish people through the wilderness, reassuring them of God’s presence.  But not just any presence.  Why as Exodus 40 reminds us the Tent of Meeting was filled with the glory of God Lord (Exodus 40:34-35) advancing two incredibly important truths:  God’s faithfulness, and God’s unfailing compassion. 

As God pitches His tent of flesh among us, this Christmas, God wants to advance the same two truths: God’s unfailing faithfulness and God’s unfailing compassion.

Angels amplified such truth, throughout the Christmas story.  They did so in two specific ways:  proclaiming God's salvation in Christ -- and -- God's safety in Christ.  God's safety in Christ is especially relevant.  For there's an awful lot of fear in the air:  fear of aging -- fear of failing -- fear of world calamity.  But God can protect us, as we allow God's love to envelop us.  For as John clarifies:  'There is no fear in love...[why] perfect love drives out fear..."  (1 John 4:18)

It's interesting:  next to the message of salvation -- the message of 'fear not,' is the dominant message of the angels at Christmas.  Fear not -- the angel said to Zacharias.  "Your prayers has been heard."  (Luke 1:13).  Fear not -- the angel said to Mary -- "For you have found favor with God. (Luke 1:30).  Fear not -- the angel said to Joseph -- "For what is conceived in Mary is of the Holy Spirit..."  (Matthew 1:20).  Fear not -- the angels said to the shepherds:  'For behold I bring you good news of great joy..."  (Luke 2:10.

But guess what:  the angel is not finished.  This Christmas, the angel says to us as well -- fear not!  For God has 'pitched His tent.'  God now dwells among us!