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The following is one of the most humorous stories I have ever read related to Christmas.
Little Johnny went to his mother demanding a new bicycle. His mother decided that he should take a look at himself and the way he acts. She said, "Well Johnny, it isn't Christmas and we don't have the money to just go out and buy you anything you want. So why don't you write a letter to Jesus and pray for one instead." After his temper tantrum his mother sent him to his room. He finally sat down to write a letter to Jesus. Dear Jesus, I've been a good boy this year and would appreciate a new bicycle. Your Friend, Little Johnny Now Little Johnny knew that Jesus really knew what kind of boy he was. So, he ripped up the letter and decided to give it another try. Dear Jesus, I've been an OK boy this year and I want a new bicycle. Yours Truly, Little Johnny Well, Little Johnny knew this wasn't totally honest so he tore it up and tried again. Dear Jesus, I've thought about being a good boy this year and can I have a new bicycle? Signed, Little Johnny Well, Little Johnny looked deep down in his heart, which by the way was what his mother was really wanting. He crumpled up the letter and threw it in the trash can and went running outside. He aimlessly wandered about; depressed because of the way he treated his parents and really considering his actions. He finally found himself in front of a church. Little Johnny went inside and knelt down, looking around not knowing what he should really do. Little Johnny finally got up and began to walk out the door and was looking at a nativity scene. All of a sudden he grabbed a small figure and ran out the door. He went home, hid it under his bed, and wrote this letter. Jesus, I’ve broken most of the Ten Commandments, shot spit wads in school, tore up my sister’s Barbie doll and lots more. I’m desperate. I’ve got your mama. If you ever want to see her again, give me a bike.
Signed, You know who
Just like the mom in this story, most of us attempt to use the celebration of Christmas as a time to teach our children important lessons about life. However, a close reading of the Bible reveals that God intends for all of us, regardless of age, to learn important lessons about Him as we read of Jesus’ first coming. While the stories regarding Joseph and Mary, the angels, the shepherds, and the wisemen provide an amazing setting for the coming of the Christ, His arrival as a baby is the centerpiece of our annual celebration and offers us a knowledge and hope that we must not overlook.
In our current culture, the word “doctrine” can carry a connotation of coldness and spiritual aloofness. However, the term describes anything that we can and must know of God as is revealed in His Word. Seminary professors aren’t the only ones who deal in doctrine, but every follower of Jesus Christ. While there are countless doctrines with which we should increasingly become familiar, the story of Jesus’ birth provides us with at least four. These four doctrines really represent a solid foundation for a right relationship with God.
1) The Doctrine of Revelation— “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:18).
The writer of Hebrews explains that God has spoken to us in many ways through the prophets in Scripture. But now, at the coming of Jesus Christ in His birth, God speaks to us by His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). So, the God who is unknowable to us, has graciously and powerfully made Himself known through Jesus Christ, His Son. Jesus’ birth introduces the last and best revelation of God because in the Son of God we can understand all that He wants us to know of Himself.
2) The Doctrine of the Incarnation— “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
The great longing of mankind has been for a connection with the Divine. Every religion in history, and even now, presents any myriad of methods for making one’s way to God. However, in the coming of Jesus Christ at His birth, we find that rather than offering another futile attempt at seeking God, God has come down to seek after us. Mystery of all mysteries, and glory of all glories…God has become a man!
3) The Doctrine of Salvation— “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
The very name “Jesus”, for which Joseph and Mary were commanded to name their son, means “salvation is from Yahweh.” Right there in the nativity scene, we discover that this baby was born with no greater purpose that to save people from their sins. The story of Christmas contains the very heart of the gospel. Through Jesus, sinners can be saved!
4) The Doctrine of Restoration— “so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28).
While the birth of Jesus Christ introduces God’s plan of salvation to the world, it is not its conclusion. His first coming annunciates His second coming. Just as Jesus came once as a fragile baby, so He will come again as a glorious King. Most were unaware of His first coming, but none will be able to ignore when He comes again! The story of Jesus’ birth is the story of God’s reconciling the world to Himself through faith in His Son.
Learning the Christmas story again,
Jason