“for… there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
What if Jesus hadn’t been born? Have you ever thought of that? What would the world be like if Jesus never came – what would you and I be like if there never was a Jesus; the Savior of the world?
The first time I ever heard the notion it came from Baylor University coaching legend, Grant Teaff. He was addressing an audience at a sports banquet which I attended. I assumed he would tell tales of football lore – but no. He spoke of Jesus and how much Jesus meant to him (Grant), to the world and why it should be important to us, the audience.
I don’t remember much about it except it seemed to me a creative Christian adaptation to the Christmas movie; “It’s a Wonderful Life”, with Jimmy Stewart.
As Grant told it, without Jesus the world would be a cold, dark, careless place. Gone would be the churches that reach out to save the world; to seek the lost, care for the needy, feed the hungry and comfort the grieving. Gone would be so many schools, universities and programs that educate learners. Absent would be the fine medical institutions and hospitals and mercy ships that were founded by Christian charities and denominations.
Instead, like Jimmy Stewart’s angelically revealed-alternate world, life would be dark, sinister, lonely, loveless and meaningless existence.
Fortunately it isn’t so – for Christ has come. He has come to bring us back. He has come to bring us joy. He has come to provide peace; with God and each other. He has come that we might have life and have it in its abundance.
Yes, Christ has come.
Mary swaddled him in clothing strips, nestled Him in a feeding trough, cloistered Him in a livestock stable, with its various residents, and shared His presence with baffled shepherds.
What a wonder, what a joy, a Savior has been born for us!
Yes, Christ has come and we must celebrate this greatest of gifts, of feats, of historical realities, of spiritual resolution for mankind and its darkness. For His coming brought hope. His life removed the darkness and brought light. His later death would remove the curse of death forever when He bought the redemption of mankind.
Yes, Christ has come. No need to worry what the world might have been like. Instead, it’s time to consider what the world could be like, if all mankind would acknowledge Jesus, as Lord and Savior, this Christmas. And it’s time to be a part of that proclamation. Let’s use this Christmas season to trumpet the news that a Savior has been born, who IS Christ the Lord.
Merry Christmas, my friends!