In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
(Hebrews 1:1–2, NIV)
I have commuted to Dallas Seminary on the same freeway for more than thirty years but hardly ever notice anything other than the bumper in front of me.
The Christmas season is sometimes like that, isn’t it? We’ve been going down that road for a long time too. It gets a little too familiar, too hectic. There’s no time to reflect and see what it really means.
The Book of Hebrews tells more about the earthly life of Jesus than any book except the Gospels themselves. Consider three important things Hebrews says about Christmas.
First, Christmas means revelation (Hebrews 1:1–4). If you want to see what God is like, take a long look at Jesus Christ. Second, Christmas means incarnation (2:14–18). Jesus left heaven’s wealth to enter human bankruptcy at Bethlehem. He breathed our air, felt our pain, knew our sorrows, and died for our sins. He knows firsthand what it’s like for us and He offers sympathetic help to all in need. Third, Christmas means redemption (10:5–10). God takes away our sin through His Son.
Now is the time to slow down and reflect on who Christ is. In doing so may the road to Christmas this year bring us delights we may have before bypassed. And instead of focusing our eyes on the “bumpers” ahead (gifts, cards, parties, commitments), let’s fix our eyes on Christ.