Christmas is coming. We all know the story: Mary and Joseph, no room at the inn, the wise men , angels, and shepherds, etc. But what was really happening, “behind the scenes?” What’s the “inside story?” How did God become man? How did Jesus get born? Inquiring minds want to know!
John tells us in John 1:1-2, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” Paul gives us more insight in Philippians 2:6-11, “…Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Jesus was in the form of God and was equal with God. He didn’t just “look like” God, but He is divine. He is the true and exact nature of God because He is equal with God. He pre-existed and was there with the Father before He was born in Bethlehem. This wasn’t something He held on to and used for His own benefit, though. He did not please or serve Himself, but He emptied Himself to serve others. He emptied Himself and made Himself nothing. He gave up His rank and privileges. He is the King of the universe but became human, a Jewish baby, born in the manger. He became human to redeem man, to fix what was broken, and He was obedient to death on a cross. “Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich 2 Cor. 8:9.”
We celebrate Christmas because, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:8-11).” Our big and transcendent God is personal and close. He has dwelt among us, and all glory is due His name. Christmas is a time to remember and worship this big God. Jesus’ humble birth, death, burial, and glorious resurrection for our sins is the gospel itself and the true meaning of Christmas. It’s what happened “behind the scenes,” and that makes all the difference.