I have a child who has an eye for detail. She can see a lizard across the street in the dirt. She sees the turtle in the middle of the brush pile. Details are just something she picks up on naturally.
This Christmas, our kids wanted to give each other gifts. So, we had them draw names and told them to make that sibling something special. (Side note- the gifts are amazing.) The name she picked was her baby brother. This girl knew what she wanted to make him.
So, we took off to Hobby Lobby and picked up a kit for her to paint her brother’s favorite characters.
This little girl who has attention for details… started with the details.
We ended up having to go over it to paint the background, and then the main picture, and finally wrapping up with those details.
But as I sat thinking about this, I realized we do this with Christmas.
We get so caught up each year focusing on the details of Jesus’ birth, that sometimes we miss the background and/or conclusion of the story.
The baby in the manager grows up to be the sinless Savior on the Cross.
BUT if we miss the background, we miss our need for that Savior!
As a new Christian, I used to get so annoyed that when people started sharing the Gospel they always started with Adam and Eve… but that’s because I knew the story, but I didn’t GET the story.
God created all things and said they were GOOD, because they are!
He created man IN HIS IMAGE and wanted man to be in relationship with Him. Adam and Eve literally had the freedom to walk with God with one rule- Don’t eat the fruit from one tree… along comes temptation, and man decided to do things his way rather than God’s way… the first sin.
They tried to cover up that sin with fig leaves… but God would show them he was serious- the wage of sin is death. He covered them with skin from an animal. The first sacrifice to cover sin.
You see, they didn’t drop dead on the spot, because God had a plan to redeem and restore them. However, the consequences of death remained. They ate from that tree, only blood could cover them now. Throughout the Old Testament, God would choose a person (Abraham) to be the father of a nation (Israel) and show them how to live holy lives, set apart. A sacrificial system would be put in place to forgive sins. But the blood of an animal could only temporarily cover their sins. Thus, the need for a Savior.
That Savior was Jesus Christ- fully God and fully man. He came to Earth as a humble baby boy. Born of an Israelite virgin whose betrothed was in the family line of King David. Upon his birth he was visited by the shepherds- lowly poor and magi- foreigners. His name means Immanuel-God with us! This detailed story shows that Jesus came for all! But don’t miss this… it’s just a detail in the middle of the entire story.
This baby goes on to live a sinless life. He proves authority over nature, disease, demons, and even death. He willingly died a criminal’s death to be the sacrifice for our sins.
The wage of sin doesn’t change- it’s death.
Blood covers sin.
Jesus’ blood covers the sin of all who believe in Him.
He died.
But 3 days later He rose! Conquering death! And giving us all the hope of eternal life!
He told his followers, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
He sent His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. He is still with us!
And He’s coming back!
I love Christmas! And all the traditions that go along with it!
But please don’t get so caught up in the details of Christmas you forget the bigger story- God’s Great Rescue Plan!
Please don’t take this as a stab- but if you have the Christmas story memorized but you’ve never read the rest of your Bible, maybe it’s time to start.