The Child

Christmas is a wonderful time for reflecting on who God is and what He has done. Two Christmas songs have recently caught my attention, each of which pointed me to the incredible gift of my Savior.

The first, though common, is not what I would consider to be a theologically deep church hymn. The elementary children sang it at our school concert this past week. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" describes the night when Christ was born and the response to His birth. The final verse ends with these words:

"The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night -
He will bring us goodness and light.
He will bring us goodness and light."

I thought of this beautiful insight into the purpose of the Christ-child. On that night so long ago, He slept as any newborn baby would. However, He was not just any newborn baby.

This Child who slept in His humble surroundings brought to the world something that no one else could ever bring. He showed us His goodness - God's goodness - and He provided a way for those who believe in Him to reflect that goodness. His salvation will ultimately usher in a new world where evil will be permanently defeated and goodness will reign forever.

The Savior also brought light. He brought hope and truth to a dark world. The truth of salvation shines forth to any who will accept it. Without Christ the world would be hopelessly trapped in darkness, but His coming changed all that. He shines more brightly than any star.

The other Christmas song is completely at the other end of the spectrum in terms of Biblical depth, as its words come directly from Scripture. I have been listening to a Christmas CD at work, and of all the songs on the CD, this is the one that makes me want to sing along every time I hear it. From Handel's Messiah, it is "Unto Us a Child Is Born."

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."
(Isaiah 9: 6)

Again, the unique nature of this Child is focused on. He is the one who will ultimately rule the world. He is Wonderful. No one else can bear that title as Christ does, and in all honesty it falls short of fully capturing His person. He is the Counselor. He guides, comforts, teaches, and defends His own. He is the Mighty God. Unsurpassed in power, He is able to do anything that needs to be done, and He does things beyond the imagination. He is the Everlasting Father. He claims me as His own, and there is no end to His love. He is the Prince of Peace. No earthly ruler, in spite of the extent of his achievements has ever brought world peace. None of them can. But the Savior can.

In this Christmas season, it is refreshing to still see some nativity displays amidst all the emphasis on Santa Claus. Believers cannot, however, limit themselves to sentimentality about the sweetness or cuteness of the manger scene. Instead, they must remember the unique wonder of this Child who was born. He is the wonderful Savior, accomplishing both for me personally and for the world at large amazing things that no other child has ever or will ever achieve.

Merry Christmas!