Oh, night that Christ was born

 

 

Photo by Nick Fewing Unsplash

 

The song is titled O Holy Night and was written as a French poem in 1843.

 

It has played (at least parts of it) in my mind for a few weeks.

 

As I wondered why this Christmas song had been bouncing around in my head, it dawned on me that it spoke of Christ’s birth.

 

I realized that his birth or his life has never been disputed. Besides the Biblical accounts of his birth and the prophetic announcements in the Old Testament regarding his birth, history also records it.

 

The writings of Josephus and the Roman Tacitus give accounts of Jesus.

 

The Muslim faith considers Jesus a prophet of God.

 

The Hindu faith sees Jesus as the light of a profound spiritual life.

 

His birth is not disputed. However, the time of his birth is mired in controversy.

 

While theories abound, what is essential is the fact that Jesus was born.

 

His birth sparked controversy, change, and correction.

 

The controversy is when—the date—he was born and the assumption that his mother was impregnated without a man.

 

The change was the opening of a spiritual pathway to God.

 

The correction was the closing of that pathway brought about by Adam’s sin.

 

The beauty of Christ’s birth is that it is celebrated every time someone repents their sins and asks Jesus into their hearts.

 

This miracle has occurred millions, if not billions, of times since his birth.

 

On December 25^th, most of the world celebrates Christmas. For many, it is still about a child born in a manage—an animal stall. It was a humble beginning, but consider how powerful a beginning it was.

 

The God who initially formed a human being using his hands, soil, and breath allows his spirit to enter into an embryo in darkness, securely tucked away in a woman’s womb—the place he designed for women to carry a child.

 

He was born as naturally as almost every child is born by natural means.

 

He sucked air for the first time as a helpless, defenseless, utterly vulnerable infant.

 

His entire existence was in the hands of a human.

 

This is the God Christ-followers serve.

 

He is worthy of our trust, commitment, and existence on earth and throughout eternity.

 

This is who we celebrate this holiday season.

 

His name is Jesus, and he is worthy of all our praise, devotion, and dedication.

 

Think about him, honor him, and commit—or recommit—to serve him with everything within your ability.

Merry Christmas.