He Entered Into Our Mess



I’ve been in ministry over forty years and I have observed that this month is always the toughest time of the year.  If things are going to fall apart, it often happens in December.  The stress and busyness of the month is augmented by the onset of winter and illness.  And all of the pressures that we feel tend to put people on edge which often brings out the worst in us.  Dysfunction often rears its ugly head at family gatherings.  Road rage is common as we’re trying to fulfill our crazy schedule going from place to place.  We feel loneliness the most during this season when all of our expectations of warm and happy relationships are unfulfilled.  As a pastor, I have prayed for and with more people in December than any other month of the year.  Though we try and hide it, many of us are broken.  Our lives are a mess. 

That’s why Jesus came.  The New Testament writer to the Hebrews explained: “Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood… it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God…Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested (Heb. 2:14,17-18).

The story of Christmas is one of explosive contrast: darkness and light.  Our world is dark and broken.  That doesn’t take much convincing.  Just look around.  But God’s plan has never been for it to stay that way.  What’s more, he didn’t send a superhero to save the world.  He sent himself as the Light of the World in the form of a helpless infant.  God became a man.  He entered into yours and my mess.

That’s why the angels who surprised the shepherds in the field outside of Bethlehem proclaimed “good news of great joy!”  The people of that day knew brokenness.  They were oppressed by the full force of the Roman Empire and leaders who would just as soon murder little children as tolerate any threat to their power (Matt. 2:16).  Jesus came into that world to bring good news.  Centuries later, the hymnwriter would interpret the event:

And ye beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! For glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing:
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.

That little Babe of Bethlehem who would become the Savior of the world offers you and me this invitation: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”  I pray, this Christmas, that you will welcome Jesus into “your mess” in order that he may take it upon himself for you.  That’s why he came.


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