A Glorious Christmas Reminder!

The manger in Bethlehem speaks directly to the resurrection of Christ! He was fully human at birth — Mary’s blood nourished him in the womb — but his birth was a breaking forth of the eternal. We read: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16).  The light referred to here was eternal life — resurrection from death.

Hosea prophesied the coming Messiah: “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction!” (Hosea 13:14). When Jesus came into the world, he fulfilled this prophecy, saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26).

Jesus asks, “Do you know why I am here? Do you know why I was born into poverty, the shepherds adored me, the wise men brought gifts, and the angels sang that night? It is so that you can have eternal life.” Yes, Jesus himself connects his birth to the resurrection: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me … And this is the will of Him who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:38-40, emphasis added).

Resurrection life is already available to us — in this life. We have this promise: “As Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

Let’s keep resurrection in mind as we celebrate Christmas this year. Let the image of the manger be a bridge — Christ bridging the abyss between earth and heaven and giving us eternal life with our redeemer. What a glorious Christmas reminder!