It’s 5:30 a.m. I’m wide awake. (You know the feeling) Mind is racing… thoughts about this Sundays sermon …  other stuff. Funny how your mind goes everywhere. People, situations, hurts, joys. I look over at Mary – ask the Lord for healing.  It’s 6:30 a.m. I’m up. Sitting in my chair. A cup of hot coffee in my hand, the Christmas tree is lit. Already had my Wheat Chex. Got the fire going. (Nice) I’ve read some scripture. All is calm. All is bright. I think about the upcoming events – family – church.  The song Good Christian Men Rejoice comes to my mind – the last words are Christ was born for this! OK – I’m thinking about that!

Thinking, thinking, thinking. Remember the angels’ words to the shepherds that first Christmas?  “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10–12) Thinking, and my mind goes beyond His birth. If it was all about Jesus birth, it would have been remarkable but not redemptive.

I love the joy of the Christmas season, but when I fall for the lie that Jesus came to deliver twinkly lights and sparkly bows, I miss the point. The wonder and joy of this season is only possible because of the horror of the cross. Our King came as a baby, swaddled up tight by His young mother and placed in a manger, but that was only the beginning of the story. It wouldn’t be long and He would leave the wood of that rustic crib and hang from the splintered wood of the cross.  So, what is this joyful news that’s for all people?  Here it is, Jesus was willing to do whatever it took to become our Savior. Matthew 1:21 says, “She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins”.  Christmas is about our sins: Our fractured marriages, our rebellious children, secret sins, relational turmoil, our diseased bodies. Christ was born for church shooters and suicide bombers, sexual predators and failed church leaders. He was born for racial tensions.

Christ was born for a world in desperate need of a Savior. Everyone needed a permanent remedy for their sin problem. Without Jesus, life is not merry and bright. As a finish my third cup of coffee – I smile - I am really happy this morning – I have a Savior!  I am blessed and joyful.  Truly, Christ was born for this. Born for me!

Tom