KingdomView, Vol. III, Issue 18 

 

Every Christmas before gifts are given and opened in our home, I read the Christmas story (Luke 2:1-20) to my family. Donetta, our five-year-old daughter, sits in my lap as I read. I am not sure how much she really understands regarding the true spiritual meaning of Christmas. However, to help my wife and me with this task, we purchased her a book entitled, ?The Story of Christmas,? by Patricia Pingry, now that she is reading. Like all parents, we began Donetta‘s educational process by teaching her her ABC‘s. These twenty-six letters in the alphabet serve as the building blocks for formulating both written and verbal communication. As a kindergartener, she has mastered her sight words and is beginning to write simple sentences. All of this is possible because she has learned her ABCs. Likewise, there exist the ABC‘s of the meaning of Christmas. For me, 2 Corinthians 8:9 sums up the real meaning of Christmas. In this verse, we discover the ABC‘s of Christmas, which are:

A – He [Christ] was RICH (2 Corinthians 8:9a). In what ways was Jesus rich? He was rich in person, for He is eternal God. He is rich in His possessions and in position as King of kings and Lord of lords. He is rich in His power, for He can do anything. Dr. Ray Pritchard adds, ?The Bible says, ?He was rich.‘ It is speaking of what He had before He left heaven to come to earth. The Bible says that all the glory of God radiates from Him (Hebrews 1:3). It also says that all things hold together in Him (Colossians 1:17). It also says that by Him were all things created (Colossians 1:16). And before He was born, He was the Mighty God and the Father of Eternity (Isaiah 9:6).? Wow! Jesus preincarnate status was gloriously awesome. Now, let us transition from His heavenly riches to His earthy poverty.

B – He [Christ] became POOR (2 Corinthians 8:9b). This phrase is an allusion to what theologians term the doctrine of His Incarnation, Jesus taking on humanity. He united Himself to humankind by becoming a man, specifically, the God-man. Jesus was fully God and man, one person, with two inseparable natures—divine and human. Again, theologians refer to this doctrine as the ?Hypostatic Union,? derived from Philippians 2:5-8. The apostle Paul depicts the glory of heavenly existence as wealth; in contrast, the lowliness of earthly existence amounts to poverty. Furthermore, He was born into poverty, for it was customary that the poor were to offer two turtledoves or young pigeons at the ?presentation before the Lord? ceremony eight days after a child is born (Leviticus 12:1-8; Luke 2:21-24). What was the purpose of His incarnation? Paul will explain as he transitions us from His poverty to our spiritual wealth.

C – That we might become RICH (2 Corinthians 8:9c). Jesus‘ incarnation dealt with the provisional impartation of spiritual wealth (or blessings) to humankind (Ephesians 1:3). Jesus came to earth, lived a sinless life, and atoned for the sins of the world at Calvary. This means that salvation is made possible for all men and certain for the elect of God (Romans 8:28b; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14). Humankind appropriates this salvific gift by exercising faith alone in Jesus Christ who is our sin-bearer. This wonderful gift enacted by Jesus‘ willingness to become poor that we might become rich through His grace is unfathomable. Consequently, there is only one question left. Have you found the Lord Jesus who came at Christmas, to be your Saviour? Have you placed your trust in Him? Have you given up your spiritual poverty for the riches He offers you? If the answer is no, then I appeal to you, make a decision for Christ. It will be the best Christmas gift that you will ever receive, which is eternal salvation. In summary, here are the ABC‘s of Christmas: A-He was RICH, B-He became POOR, and C-That we might become rich. Indeed, Jesus is the REASON for the SEASON!