The Christmas journey with the Master in some respects is a journey that has no beginning, because in the beginning He was. He was with God. He was God. He was the Creator of all things and in Him and for Him were all things created. He was Life and from Him life was given. He was Light and from Him light was given to the world. He was Light and through Him darkness was extinguished. He always was, and He forever will be.
Though He has no beginning, through Him was the beginning and in Him is the beginning. Through Him the world was created. Through Him the world was redeemed. Through Him the world was given the right to become children of God. He always was, and He forever will be.
Jesus was the Word of God. Jesus was the Truth of God. Jesus was the glory of God. Jesus was the love of God. Jesus was the faithfulness of God. He always was, and He forever will be.
However, the Christmas journey with the Master in other respects is a journey that does have a beginning - not a beginning for Him, but a beginning for us. It is a journey that begins with the creation of this world and it is a journey that begins with His incarnation that night in the stable. On that day two thousand years ago, the Father sent His Son to take on flesh that His Word, His Truth, His glory, His love and His faithfulness might be revealed. The Father sent His Son to take on flesh that His work of redemption might be made complete. The Father sent His Son so that His creation could be reconciled unto Him.
Imagine the stirrings in heaven that day. Before creation, the Father had known that we would need a Redeemer. Before creation, He had put in place His plan of redemption. Before creation, plans were made for Jesus to take on flesh to live on earth among His creation. Before creation, plans were made for Jesus to suffer and die on a cross as the sacrifice for our sin. Before creation, plans were made for Jesus to arise from the dead, conquering sin and death. Before creation, plans for His journey had already been established.
From the days in the Garden of Eden, His coming had been foretold. From the days of the flood, His coming had been promised. From the day when God stayed Abraham’s hand from slaying Isaac on Mount Moriah, His coming had been assured. From the days of the prophets, His coming had been anticipated. And now that day had arrived.
All that needed to be completed prior to His arrival on earth had now been fulfilled. The days prior to His arrival had now been accomplished. Eyes that had longed to see this day would now be rewarded. All that remained was for Jesus to begin His journey.
We often look at what our sin cost Jesus at Calvary (and rightly so), but what about the cost at Bethlehem? As He began His journey, Jesus arose from His seat at the right hand of the Father; a crude manger was the throne that now awaited Him. As He stood, Jesus gazed into the glory of His Father’s eyes; an earthly, young, nervous, new, loving mother and “father” now awaited Him. Jesus removed His heavenly robe; a swaddling cloth was the garment that now awaited Him. A heavenly host gathered at His feet in worship and in praise as He left, as a small number of shepherds unknowingly were preparing to gather and worship Him in a stable. A journey that would begin and end on streets of gold would include many miles on paths of dust. Voices that were lifted in adoration and praise would be exchanged in the days to come for voices of ridicule and contempt.
He Who was and is the Light of the world was about to be heralded by the light of a star. He Who was and is the Way was about to be announced in a place where there was no room for Him to stay. He Who was and is the Truth was about to begin a journey that would be the defining moment in history.
And the Christmas journey began – because Jesus loves the Father; and the Father so loves us that He sent His one and only Son. He began the journey so that we would know how to live – a purpose-filled life. He began the journey so that we might be able to live – an everlasting life. He began the journey so that we might be empowered to live – an abundant life.
On July 21, 1969 Astronaut Neil Armstrong spoke those now-famous words as he was the first man to set foot on the surface of the moon, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Well, two thousand years ago, Jesus began His journey with a step, and as a result, mankind was enabled to make a “gigantic leap” into relationship with our Creator – if we will believe and follow Him. His Christmas journey began; and because His journey began, if we choose to follow Him, we also begin a new journey. We can then truly join with that angelic host in proclaiming:
“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Scripture reference: John 1:1-5, 10-12, 14; Luke 2:13-14
Excerpt from Chapter One – “In the Beginning” from Walking With The Master