The Christmas Story

One of the classic Christmas movies that a lot of people love to watch is A Christmas Story. Cleverly narrated from a 9-year-old boy’s perspective, of his greatest gift of Christmas, and his attempts to ensure Santa would deliver it. Although his logic wasn’t always right, his passion to have his very own Red Ryder B-B Gun was unmatched. 

That story was told in a way that most of us can probably relate to. The overly anxious feelings as a kid longing to open a special gift on Christmas morning. But there is a gift that is better than all gifts. Something that Paul refers to Isaiah’s words, “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him…” (1 Corinthians 2:9, Isaiah 64:4). 

Yet when the time to receive the gift came, the people who played a part in that story, didn’t recognize the gift for what it was—the ultimate gift. Then again, would we have recognized it? Paul goes on to say in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8, “We declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” 

At Christmas time, the story of Christ’s birth is retold and celebrated as the focal point during this season. While His birth is an important event, it’s not at the heart of the Good News. One scholar, Rolf Jacobson, said that “It’s easier to proclaim the gospel through the Christmas story, telling of the birth of a baby and angels announcing peace on earth… than [the story of one who…] ‘suffered, died, and was buried.’ The story of crucifixion takes us through scenes of anger and brutality, of hostility and disgrace. Instead of simply celebrating life, it confronts us with the reality of death.” 

When we try to look into the lives and motives of those surrounding the Cross, it’s fairly easy to categorize the good from the bad, but we need to be careful in doing so. There is a helpful concept held by some, that suggests that the Bible is filled with “stories” about how God interacted with mankind, and how man reacted to His actions. Isaiah reminds us how “[God’s] thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are our ways [like His] ways” (Isaiah 55:8). He has used situations to remind us that we “all are like sheep, have wandered away.” We all have found ourselves in denial of God’s power or even existence. We’ve all let fear control our faith. However, when we can honestly and humbly read the greatest story of redemption, and consider how I have been like Peter, the Pharisees, or Pilate, then perhaps I better appreciate the heart of God and His perfect gift of love.