The God of Christmas
1-1-2023
C. Hayden
The Apostle Paul never seemed to miss an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with those
around him. After stirring up the population, along with evil men purposefully inciting the crowds in
Berea (Northern Greece), Paul is sent to Athens. There he waits for Silas and Timothy to join him.
During his “wait,” Paul notices the many idols he finds there and he, as is Paul’s way, is stirred to bring
forth the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Jews and Gentiles in the synagogue and the marketplace,
eventually ending up at the Areopagus (a council of men responsible for the education and governance
of Athens). In the very midst of this group of powerful men, Paul declares to them, “ Men of Athens, I
perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the
objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you…” In the following Scriptures, Paul
not only delegitimizes the false idols in the room, but then declares that it is Jesus as the one they need to seek, for it is He who was raised from the dead and will judge the world in righteousness. I wonder, when looking at the baby Jesus in a manger sitting on our fireplace mantle or displayed under the Christmas tree, or some other prominent place this season, we realize that we are viewing, in those simple Christmas decorations, a representation of the Divine Creator and Governor of all things. The wise men were not just seeking a beautiful Christmas display they could add to their many sight-seeing memories.
They were seeking the foretold one true Messiah of whom all glory, honor and praise in heaven and
earth belongs to. The One who would deliver all mankind from their sin, once and for all.
The Apostle John wrote this of Jesus, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and
was God. He (Jesus) was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him , and without Him
nothing was made that was made” (John 1:1-3). Colossians 1:17 says, “ 16 For by Him were all things
created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: 17 And He is before
all things, and by Him all things consist.” Sort of makes you look at the Nativity scene a little different,
doesn’t it?!
Be blessed even more!!
Pastor Chris
