I was working on my lesson for the High School group today. I was trying to figure out how in the world to tell the Christmas story in a fresh way that would grab the attention of people who have heard the story many times.
I thought about Mary’s perspective, then Joseph’s, the shepherds, wise men and so on, but those are common stories. Then I thought about the perspective of Jesus. I love what John does in the first chapter of his gospel. He paints a cosmic scene and captures the relationship of God the Father and Jesus. They are together at the beginning of the world, they have set the stage for this time, and Jesus is finally sent.
He comes down; down from the heights of absolute being into time and space, down into humanity; down further still, . . . to the very roots and seabed of the Nature He has created. But He goes down to come up again and bring the whole ruined world up with Him.
[He is like a] diver, first reducing himself to nakedness, then glancing in mid-air, then gone with a splash, vanished, rushing down through green and warm water into black and cold water, down through increasing pressure into the death-like region of ooze and slime and old decay; then up again, back to colour and light, his lungs almost bursting, till suddenly he breaks surface again, holding in his hand the dripping, precious thing that he went down to recover. – CS Lewis (Miracles)
I love this quote and I think it captures the true essence of the Christmas story. Jesus sent to recover fallen people. Jesus sent to restore broken relationships. Jesus sent, as John says, to make God known and reveal his glory.
The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God. – CS Lewis (Mere Christianity)
What better reason to celebrate Christmas!
