For most of us, it all comes down this week. All the festive decorations get packed in boxes until next year. The warm fuzzies fade, and the reality sets in—work, school, appointments and paying the bills. Personally, I don’t like packing away Christmas, and I also don’t like keeping “baby” Jesus a baby or relegating Him to a box.
The simplicity surrounding the birth of Jesus woos us—it feels safe, warm. Who can resist a story about a sweet infant lying peacefully in a manger? Visualizing Him small and helpless makes Him easy to control.
At the beginning of Luke 2 we see Him as the infant in a manger, but He doesn’t want to remain a baby in our lives. By the end of the chapter we see He grew in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52). He was born full of grace and truth (John 1:14). He came to be our Savior, who desires all of us to see His majesty and power, to fall to our knees and worship Him as Savior and Lord. To relegate Jesus to a box of our choosing, (i.e. legalism or humanism) is like thinking we have life under our control. We negate His grace given to us freely—grace upon grace (John 1:16).
Several years ago I started keeping one Christmas decoration out on prominent display for the entire year. It’s a visual reminder not to put Jesus in a box, but to see Him for Who He truly is, our Savior and Lord.
As you undecorate, reflect on Who it is that came as a baby in the manger. He’s our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Jesus is infinitely more than any box could ever contain—He’s uncontainable, full to overflowing with grace, truth, and a lavish love for all of us.
Lord, Thank You for sending your Son. I don’t ever want to attempt to put You in a box. I pause right now and recognize You as my grown-up Savior and Lord, out of the feed box and on the throne of my heart. Help me to always keep You there. May I continually meditate upon who You are. In Jesus Name, Amen.
The simplicity surrounding the birth of Jesus woos us—it feels safe, warm. Who can resist a story about a sweet infant lying peacefully in a manger? Visualizing Him small and helpless makes Him easy to control.
At the beginning of Luke 2 we see Him as the infant in a manger, but He doesn’t want to remain a baby in our lives. By the end of the chapter we see He grew in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52). He was born full of grace and truth (John 1:14). He came to be our Savior, who desires all of us to see His majesty and power, to fall to our knees and worship Him as Savior and Lord. To relegate Jesus to a box of our choosing, (i.e. legalism or humanism) is like thinking we have life under our control. We negate His grace given to us freely—grace upon grace (John 1:16).
Several years ago I started keeping one Christmas decoration out on prominent display for the entire year. It’s a visual reminder not to put Jesus in a box, but to see Him for Who He truly is, our Savior and Lord.
As you undecorate, reflect on Who it is that came as a baby in the manger. He’s our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Jesus is infinitely more than any box could ever contain—He’s uncontainable, full to overflowing with grace, truth, and a lavish love for all of us.
Lord, Thank You for sending your Son. I don’t ever want to attempt to put You in a box. I pause right now and recognize You as my grown-up Savior and Lord, out of the feed box and on the throne of my heart. Help me to always keep You there. May I continually meditate upon who You are. In Jesus Name, Amen.
This devotional can be found in the Advent Devotional Book, "More Than a Baby", and is available on my website by clicking on the photo. An updated version will be made available at a later date.
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