Good morning and welcome to the Panhandle. We are now a couple of weeks past Christmas, but I wanted to finish up the Miracle of Christmas we have been doing. So far in this series we have looked at the: Miracle of the Moment, the Miracle of the Message, and the Miracle of the Method. In this study we are going to finish up by looking at the Miracle of the Manger. So come on in sit down and let's open God's Word and get started.
John 1:1-5; 9-14
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it...9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
As you know I have been using that wonderful Christmas movie, “Miracle on 34th Street” as an illustration for our Christmas Series. I have reminded you of some things that happened in the movie to illustrate different truths as related to the true Christmas Story of Christ Jesus' birth. But we have not really examined the basic plot of the movie. At the very beginning of the movie we are presented with this man, who genuinely believes he is Santa Claus. The rest of the movie is the unfolding of the evidence to try and support that claim.
The plot represents part of the mystery and charm of the movie. The idea of meeting not just a department store Santa, and not just some well-meaning man with a pillow in his belt and a fake beard on his face, but the real Santa Claus. I recognize that we live in a very skeptical society and I would certainly agree that we have come by such skepticism honestly. We all know of people who make false and fraudulent claims that don’t come true, and that disappoint. There are plenty of people making claims and promises that only a fool would take at face value.
Yet in spite of the skepticism, there is something about this movie that catches our attention and draws us in. We are invited to reconsider something that perhaps we thought was settled long ago in our childhood. As the story unfolds, there springs forth this childish hope that perhaps this Kris Kringle really is Santa Claus. It begins to open up some incredible and amazing opportunities. “Could he really be? What if he is? And if he is who he says he is, how sad not to be recognized, how tragic to be thought of as a fraud. But, Christmas is a miraculous, wondrous time of year.
During the Christmas season some will wonder just exactly who is this baby lying in the manger that we celebrate? Could he really be who everyone says he is? Is it possible that he really is who the Bible says he is? What if He is? What are the implications?
John’s Gospel describes for us in great imagery this miracle of the manger. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it… (John 1:1-5)
The big question to be decided in this movie is whether or not Kris is really Santa Claus. But that is just a movie, the real question we need to consider has eternal consequences and that is the birth and life of Christ Jesus. It is a question of identity. Who is He really? Who exactly is this child we find in the manger in Bethlehem?
1. Astonishing Claims: Could He Be Who He Claims to Be?
In the movie “Miracle on 34th Street” the old gentleman with a white beard and friendly smile claims to be not just a Santa, but THE Santa, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, the one and only Santa Claus. And if we were to admit it the child within us compels us to want to believe. Of course, we know better, don’t we?
But what about the miracle of the manger and the astonishing claims made regarding the child in it. Christ Jesus was born in the humblest of circumstances. His mother was a very ordinary, plain, simple, poor young girl named Mary. And Christ Jesus' stepfather a young carpenter. His birthplace is a stable, a barn in a small, obscure little town called Bethlehem.
Yet, He came with angles making astonishing claims, claims that centered on His identity. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11). And later in life He would claim to be sent from God, the Son of God, and even One with God. That's some rather remarkable claims, wouldn’t you say?
As an adult, Christ Jesus claimed to be the Bread of Heaven and Living Water which alone can satisfy our deepest hunger and thirst. He claimed the authority to forgive our sins and to offer freely His grace and mercy. Christ Jesus claimed to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Resurrection, the only hope of escaping God’s judgment, the only path to eternal life. He claimed all authority in heaven and earth, and He promised to return to judge the world in righteousness.
What do you make of such radical claims? There are some who would ignore them altogether, they say that like Santa Claus, He's a made up figure. There are those who, while being very respectful of Christ Jesus, don’t take His astonishing claims seriously. The religion of Islam teaches that Jesus was a prophet and teacher. The Hindu religion teaches that Jesus is one way of many to find God. Many people want to admire Christ Jesus from a distance, but when it comes right down to it, He’s just a nice man with some good teachings.
C.S. Lewis points out that Christ Jesus did not leave us the option of just respecting Him as a good, noble teacher. His own claims leave no room for that position, even though it is very popular. We really only have three options concerning what to make of these astonishing claims of Christ Jesus. Either He is who He claims to be, the Lord of all. Or, He made these claims knowing they were false and therefore He was a liar. Or thirdly, He made these claims because He believed them to be true but in reality they were not, which makes Him a lunatic.
When it comes to the astonishing claims made by Christ Jesus, there are only three conclusions that we can choose from. He is the Lord, a liar, or a lunatic. If you haven’t already done so, you need to decide what you will believe about Christ Jesus. Will you think of Him as just a good man and teacher. Will you think Him a lunatic or con-man? Or will you acknowledge Him as Lord and Saviour?
2. Staggering Implications: What if he is who he claims to be?
Part of the drama of “Miracle on 34th Street” is the increasing evidence that perhaps this Kris Kringle really is Santa, that he really is who he claims to be. Is there really someone who knows whether we’ve been naughty or nice? Every character in the movie has to decide for themselves what they believe about Kris Kringle. Some wanted the old man declared insane and put away. But many others were ready to support him as the real Santa Claus. Now let me make a disclaimer here, I grew up believing in Santa Claus, and we let our kids do the same. But in truth that Santa is just a myth, a good myth but still just a myth.
On the other hand I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christ Jesus is as real as you or I. Okay you know what I believe, so when it comes to this child born in Bethlehem, what do you believe? What if His claims are true? What if He really is who He claims to be? Think for a moment about the incredible implications? What if there is that awesome Someone who knows your name, who knows when you are sleeping, and knows when you’re awake? And what if He knows when you’ve been bad or good? What if there is Someone who loves you no matter what and He longs for you to know and love Him?
What if this child in Bethlehem really is the miracle of the manger? What if this Jesus really is who He claims to be – the Christ? If He is, then you and I have a decision to make. A decision that has eternal significance for each one of us. What we decide about this child born in Bethlehem not only determines our eternal destiny, it also determines our earthly direction as well. We cannot accept His claims without also recognizing that He has staked His claim on our lives. If He is who He says He is, then all of His promises are true. And if all His promises are true then He really can wipe away a painful past and take away our burden of guilt and regret. He can give us a whole new reason to live and fill us with the fullness of His love, His life, His grace. It means it’s all true.
3. A Fateful Choice: Do You Believe?
We must all consider this question and answer for ourselves. No one can decide for us when it comes to this miracle of the manger.
Christ Jesus put the question to His disciples one day: When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:13-16). How will you answer that question? Is Christ Jesus who He claimed to be? Do you believe?
When we consider this child born in Bethlehem to be God, there is an important change, an awesome reversal, a dramatic change of roles for you and me. You see, when we come before Christ Jesus, we do not sit in judgment of Him. Because Christ Jesus is Lord and King He changes our role from a mere creation of God to a child of God.
The miracle of the manger is God in the flesh. He is judge of all. It is Christ Jesus who will determine our final destiny. Scripture records, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him, for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
The miracle of the manger is that God became flesh and lived among us. He didn't come to pass eternal punishment on us, but to set us free from eternal punishment. God became flesh so He could free us to live the life that He has planned for us. God came so that we could know Him and love Him.
The miracle of the manger is that God became man so that we could become children of God. John writes in his Gospel, Yet to all who received him (Jesus), to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)
If you have seen this newer “Miracle on 34th Street”, you know that Susan gets her Christmas wishes – a new dad and a wonderful new home and eventually, we would anticipate a baby brother as well. It is a wonderful story of Christmas dreams come true. But then again it is just a movie.
Here is reality, if you will open your heart to Christ Jesus and trust Him to be exactly who He claimed to be, you will not be disappointed. Christ Jesus will heal your deepest hurts and fill your every need. He will prepare a place for you, a wonderful new home where you will spend forever with Him. You will receive a Heavenly Father, one who is perfect and perfectly in love with you. Is it possible? Could He be who He claims to be? I believe! Do you?
A big thanks to Greg Fine for providing the original series from which to work up this study. And a big thanks to y'all for taking time to drop in and spend time here in God's Word. I look forward to another year of good and faithful study. May our Lord and Saviour richly bless you and yours in this new year.
Your Brother in Christ,
Biblesurfer
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