Throughout my life, the writers of songs and hymns have helped me press down big truths into simple context so I can absorb it. Added to this is the great benefit of being brought up in a Christian home where we sang as children, for it never leaves you. And so, as we come into another Christmas season, as we prepare to turn the calendar to another year, I found myself going to my childhood.

As each happy Christmas, Dawns on earth again
Comes the holy Christ Child, To the hearts of men.*

I don’t know about you, but it still draws me: Jesus, the Son of God, coming to this earth, growing up, moving among the people, transforming lives. It’s staggering.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Bible teacher Charles Swindoll wrote, “On that first Christmas, the divine Son of God took His first human breath as He entered humanity as one of us. The moment of Jesus’ birth was an event like none other in history. It changed the world forever. Its appeal was … and still is … irresistible!”

All unknown, beside me He will ever stand
And will safely lead me, With His own right hand.
(*As Each Happy Christmas, circa 1885)

Changes come and go, don’t they? When we part from family, from our friends, we don’t know what may affect us, or them, before we meet again. Yet the promise that Jesus remains beside us through the unknown is as certain today as it was yesterday.

With their children all in school now, my son and his wife and my daughter and her husband are experiencing the joys and responsibilities of raising children in the 21st century. My husband I had a fun visit in October with his brother and sister-in-law from Arizona. The boys reminisced, taking us on tour through favorite stomping grounds growing up. At Thanksgiving we had one more empty chair at the dinner table that was always filled by my sister’s husband who passed away in September. Still, crawling underfoot to remind us of those who will come after us was my nephew and his wife’s one-year-old son.

All glory to the Son, Who comes to set us free,
With Father, Spirit, ever one, Through all eternity.
(The Advent of Our King, Charles Coffin, circa 1736)

Who is in charge of “forever”? The One who from eternity to eternity is the same yesterday and today.

We are each going through changes. The heavens and the earth will pass away, but from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s deep, abiding love is with those who fear the Lord. Because God has said “I will never leave you,” we can confidently say “I will not fear.” (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Cutting My Teeth on Christmas Blog

No halo graced the head of Jesus when He was born on earth in yesteryear — this baby, God in the flesh, the eternal Son of God who came to save us from sin. God continues to walk into our lives today when we least expect Him, and His surprises still bring relief.

When we say yes to God’s will for our lives, God floods our hearts with relief. And, oh, the joy that God’s peace brings to our hearts!

Have you said “yes” to the One who holds yesterday and today and forever?

Merry Christmas!

Sources:
Jesus – Always Only, Alistair Begg
The Season That Still Touches Hearts, Charles Swindoll

A writing tablet and yellow No. 2 pencil. The kind with a soft eraser. A Skooter doll by Mattel. She was the friend of Barbie’s younger sister, Skipper. White patent leather go-go boots. Whew! What an iconic fashion statement … they “were made for walkin’.” A mother’s birthstone ring and holiday dinnerware.

Each year as I have grown a bit older, the gifts under the Christmas tree have matured, as well. Each gift was intentionally selected. Each one received with anticipation and joy.

There is a line in one of my favorite Christmas carols that reads, “God’s Son for a gift has been sent you this night” (emphasis added). It’s a German hymn originally composed in 1798 as a poem written for children: Ihr Kinderlein, Kommet (O Come, Little Children)!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15

Paul the apostle spoke about this gift. And, for someone who had the ability to find whatever word was necessary at whatever place in his writing, in this case Paul could not come up with a descriptive synonym. No word would adequately express the significance of this gift that God has given in His Son. So he coined a word found nowhere else in all the Bible, translated “indescribable.”¹

Ah, yes. Any attempt at describing the indescribable dares to fall short of comprehensiveness. So, we tell of what we know:

No word would adequately express the significance of this gift …

Jesus the Christ, the King of Righteousness, the King of Heaven, the King of Kings.

The wellspring of wisdom, the pathway of peace,

Sovereign, eternally steadfast, endurably strong. The just Judge.

He is enthroned on high. Yet He has come near. Utterly sincere, compassionate to all.

The centerpiece of civilization, unparallel, unprecedented,

The loftiest idea in literature, the highest personality in philosophy. Courage of the weak, comfort to the downtrodden, hope to the lost.

He is perfect love. The life giver, the sin forgiver. Changeless.

He blesses the young, regards the diligent, defends the feeble, esteems the aged,

His mercy is everlasting, His goodness is limitless, His word is enough.

You can’t out live Him and you can’t live without Him.

Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him!

A Story to Tell Blog

The Son of God does not have His beginnings in Bethlehem. Indeed, He has no beginning. And so it is at Christmas time that we remind ourselves that this child in the manger is Lord, true God and true man. Jesus is God’s gift to the world. Jesus is God’s gift to you! Indescribable.

O come, little children, oh, come, one and all,
To Bethlehem haste, to the manger so small.
God’s Son for a gift has been sent you this night
To be your Redeemer, your Joy and Delight.*

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Writer’s Note: Merry Christmas! This past summer, my husband and I received the gift of time as we spent a highly anticipated week in Florida with our children and their families to celebrate our 40^th wedding anniversary. What joy!

¹Jesus, The Indescribable Gift, Charles R. Swindoll

*O Come, All Ye Children, Christoph von Schmid (1768-1854)