Have you ever really stopped to think about what that first Christmas night was like? We’ve romanticized it with our nativity scenes and carols, but the reality was far from peaceful and serene. As we reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, I’m struck by how Jesus stepped into the chaos and brokenness of our world to bring true peace.
The Nativity Scene: Pretty on the Outside, Messy on the Inside
We’re all familiar with the traditional nativity scene – Mary and Joseph gazing lovingly at baby Jesus in a manger, surrounded by animals and visited by shepherds and wise men. It looks so peaceful and idyllic. But let’s be real for a moment, the peacefulness of this scene has been nothing but commercialized.
You likely know someone who has given birth to a child. Was it easy on them? No. Would that mother have been like, “Sure, I’ll sign up for a horse trough? Absolutely not!
Can you imagine giving birth in a stable, with no medical care, surrounded by animals? It was far from pretty or peaceful. So, what was really going on that night in Bethlehem?
Jesus Stepping Into Our Chaos
The manger scene represents something much deeper – it was the moment God stepped into our broken world to bring true peace. As Romans 5:6 tells us:
“For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly (CSB).”
Jesus didn’t come because everything was great, and we just needed a little boost. He came because we were utterly helpless and broken. Sin had shattered the peace between God and humanity. We needed rescue.
Christmas kicked off a domino effect… Christmas kicked something. And as much as we’ve commercialized it, the real situation wasn’t fun. And it wasn’t pretty, but it absolutely was necessary. Jesus was stepping into a world that was chaotic. He was stepping into a storm that we created. He was stepping into the human condition.
From Manger to Cross to Resurrection
The manger was just the beginning. It set in motion God’s plan to restore what we had broken. Jesus lived among us, went to the cross to pay for our sins, and rose again victorious over death. As 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 says:
“Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us (CSB).”
Our Role as Reconcilers
Because of what Jesus accomplished, we now have the incredible privilege of being ministers of reconciliation. This applies to every single one of us who knows Christ:
You have been given a ministry of reconciliation that you’re now proclaiming that God does not hold people’s sins against them if they repent. You’ve been given a ministry of reconciliation. We are reconcilers.
God’s Incredible Love
Thinking about the progression from manger to cross, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by God’s love. Take a moment to think about those you love the most. Maybe your friends, spouse, family, or children. You probably can’t fathom sacrificing one of them for anyone else. Now think about saving a stranger over them.
You’re likely in the boa of: “There’s no way I’m doing that.” You’re not alone in that mindset. Yet that’s exactly what God did for us. He loved us so much that He sent His own Son to die in our place, even while we were His enemies. Romans 5:8 puts it this way:
“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (CSB).”
Putting It Into Practice
As we celebrate Christmas this year, let’s look beyond the pretty manger scenes and remember the true meaning behind it all. Here are some ways we can apply these truths:
1. Thank God for His incredible love in sending Jesus to rescue us.
2. Reflect on your own brokenness and need for a Savior.
3. Look for opportunities to be a minister of reconciliation, sharing God’s love with others.
4. When you see nativity scenes, use them as a reminder to pray for those who don’t yet know Christ.
5. Worship Jesus as the Prince of Peace who alone can bring true peace to our chaotic world.
This Christmas, may we join together in genuine adoration, falling on our knees before the One who loved us enough to leave heaven’s glory and enter our mess. For there is truly something to adore – “the unspeakable action of God. That he loved us so much that the Bible says we were his enemies. You just read it. And yet he made us his friends.”
This blog post was adapted by Molly Atkins from ClearView Baptist Church’s sermon by Senior Pastor Jason Cruise on December 8, 2024. To watch the full sermon, click HERE.
