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I’m sure that we all appreciate a good love story, and from early childhood we are raised on ‘Happy endings’. At this time of the year there are pantomimes galore being performed around the country, and many of the basic stories that lie behind them are love stories. Take Cinderella, for example, which is a classic love story about poor put-upon Cinderella who falls in love with Prince Charming.
I’m sure that we all appreciate a good love story, and from early childhood we are raised on ‘Happy endings’. At this time of the year there are pantomimes galore being performed around the country, and many of the basic stories that lie behind them are love stories. Take Cinderella, for example, which is a classic love story about poor put-upon Cinderella who falls in love with Prince Charming.
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But there is one love story that is timeless and never-ending, and that’s the story of God’s love for people. Of course we know that God has always loved people from the very beginning, even though He has been angry with them from time to time. After all, do not all of us who are parents say at one time or another that we love our children always even though we might not like them sometimes.
But there is one love story that is timeless and never-ending, and that’s the story of God’s love for people. Of course we know that God has always loved people from the very beginning, even though He has been angry with them from time to time. After all, do not all of us who are parents say at one time or another that we love our children always even though we might not like them sometimes.
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Just over two thousand years ago something miraculous occurred, the like of which had never been seen before and has never happened since; God came down to earth to live amongst His people on that night when Jesus was born in the stable at Bethlehem. He didn’t come purely for a visit, but with a purpose, and that purpose was to put into operation His plan for the salvation of mankind.
Just over two thousand years ago something miraculous occurred, the like of which had never been seen before and has never happened since; God came down to earth to live amongst His people on that night when Jesus was born in the stable at Bethlehem. He didn’t come purely for a visit, but with a purpose, and that purpose was to put into operation His plan for the salvation of mankind.
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The world was a sinful place then, just as it is now. The Bible tells us that not only does God hate sin altogether, but that He demands retribution for it by way of death for the sinner. Yet God also loves His people with such tremendous love. How could He exact the payment for sin ― the result of which would exile His people from Him for eternity ― yet still find a means to forgive them and reconcile them once more to Himself?
The world was a sinful place then, just as it is now. The Bible tells us that not only does God hate sin altogether, but that He demands retribution for it by way of death for the sinner. Yet God also loves His people with such tremendous love. How could He exact the payment for sin ― the result of which would exile His people from Him for eternity ― yet still find a means to forgive them and reconcile them once more to Himself?
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It was this conundrum that resulted in the birth of Jesus on that night so long ago. Born into the humblest of circumstances, He was born for a purpose, and that purpose would take thirty-three years to be fulfilled.
It was this conundrum that resulted in the birth of Jesus on that night so long ago. Born into the humblest of circumstances, He was born for a purpose, and that purpose would take thirty-three years to be fulfilled.
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It’s not hard for anyone who is a parent to imagine the scene in that stable. In those days the houses were what we would now refer to as multi-purpose dwellings. The animals lived on the lower level whilst the family lived in rooms above. The stable would have been adjoining the family rooms. It’s most likely that Mary gave birth in one of the rooms in the living quarters but moved into the stable because of shortage of space afterwards, tenderly laying her new-born baby in the manger which had been filled with fresh straw. You can imagine them watching the tiny infant with a mixture of concern and intense love, just the same as any new parent would.
The greatest miracle of all about the event of Jesus’ birth is that it was the point where God and humanity met in a very real way. This was the moment when the Divine and the human arrived at life’s greatest intersection to become joined together forever. The birth of Jesus was much more than just the birth of a new baby, it was the physical demonstration of Gods love for His people, love that depended only on the person who loved, love that was selfless and freely given, even to those who would go on to deny it and refuse to accept it.
It’s not hard for anyone who is a parent to imagine the scene in that stable. In those days the houses were what we would now refer to as multi-purpose dwellings. The animals lived on the lower level whilst the family lived in rooms above. The stable would have been adjoining the family rooms. It’s most likely that Mary gave birth in one of the rooms in the living quarters but moved into the stable because of shortage of space afterwards, tenderly laying her new-born baby in the manger which had been filled with fresh straw. You can imagine them watching the tiny infant with a mixture of concern and intense love, just the same as any new parent would.
The greatest miracle of all about the event of Jesus’ birth is that it was the point where God and humanity met in a very real way. This was the moment when the Divine and the human arrived at life’s greatest intersection to become joined together forever. The birth of Jesus was much more than just the birth of a new baby, it was the physical demonstration of Gods love for His people, love that depended only on the person who loved, love that was selfless and freely given, even to those who would go on to deny it and refuse to accept it.
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One of the greatest tragedies in this world is for someone to feel that they are unloved and unwanted. Because of the event that took place in the stable that night in Bethlehem, that night of miracles, this need never be the case. Karl Barth chose the hymn ’Jesus loves me’ to quote from. Perhaps I can illustrate my point with the title of another great favourite hymn, ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’.
One of the greatest tragedies in this world is for someone to feel that they are unloved and unwanted. Because of the event that took place in the stable that night in Bethlehem, that night of miracles, this need never be the case. Karl Barth chose the hymn ’Jesus loves me’ to quote from. Perhaps I can illustrate my point with the title of another great favourite hymn, ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’.
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The miracle of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem was followed by many other miracles as the child grew into a man, culminating with the greatest miracle of all when Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb of God and died on the cross at Calvary as the once-for-all payment for the sins of mankind. The price of sin that God demanded has been paid in full for everyone who chooses to claim Jesus Christ as their Redeemer and acknowledge Him Lord.
The miracle of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem was followed by many other miracles as the child grew into a man, culminating with the greatest miracle of all when Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb of God and died on the cross at Calvary as the once-for-all payment for the sins of mankind. The price of sin that God demanded has been paid in full for everyone who chooses to claim Jesus Christ as their Redeemer and acknowledge Him Lord.
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The hymn-writer tells us that ‘God is Love’, and the love story starts for us at Bethlehem in that stable, continues to the cross at Calvary, and on into an eternity spent with Christ our Redeemer. It’s a love story that embraces everything and assures us that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer.
The hymn-writer tells us that ‘God is Love’, and the love story starts for us at Bethlehem in that stable, continues to the cross at Calvary, and on into an eternity spent with Christ our Redeemer. It’s a love story that embraces everything and assures us that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer.
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I started by quoting the words of the hymn, ‘Jesus loves me’, and now I’ll conclude with a line from another well-known hymn by Samuel Medley (1738-1799):
I started by quoting the words of the hymn, ‘Jesus loves me’, and now I’ll conclude with a line from another well-known hymn by Samuel Medley (1738-1799):
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I know that my Redeemer lives!
What joy the blest assurance gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my everlasting Head!
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He lives, to bless me with His love;
He lives to plead for me above;
He lives, my hungry soul to feed;
He lives, to help in time of need.
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What amazing love! And it’s there for all of us to share in, simply for the asking.
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