Author: Kevin Keegan
In Australia, we celebrate Christmas in summer (for my relatives in Finland it’s the opposite). Here holidays are often a time for families to go camping, especially during this season of COVID and border uncertainties. Leaving the sheltered creature comforts to commune in nature is a perineal favourite.
When Jesus came to earth, He too left His comfortable heavenly home. But the change in the environment was a lot more than just what we experience on a camping trip. Jesus entered into a physically and spiritually torn and imperfect world. And if it wasn’t enough just to be on earth, the Son of God chose to be born in a lowly manger.
The Creator became a vulnerable baby, choosing not to call on the legions of angels waiting on Him. The Son of God exiled Himself from paradise to become the Son of Man, so He could become one of us. So He could identify with the outcast, the forgotten and oppressed of this world. He became the last Adam to take on the sins of man, right from when they were committed by the first Adam.
He came because of love and to show us God’s love for us.
That baby that laid in the manger, exposed and vulnerable, was God laying bare His heart to us.
“God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
The Bible says for the joy set before Him Jesus endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2).
Jesus endured suffering joyously knowing that through Him we could enter into His eternity. He came to restore fellowship as He looked forward to the joyous reunion with us.
He is still longing for that reunion with those who have not received Him as their Saviour.
Today we are not in a very different world from the one that Jesus was born into. Rattled by uncertainties, badly in need of certain hope. As Christians, we have the sure hope in Jesus. He will never leave nor forsake us. We know the victorious ending. And we know we are loved.
42% of the people groups in the world still do not know this hope. Many are still to hear of the Christ of Christmas – God’s love gift to them. They do not have access to a Christian who would tell them about the Saviour. These unreached people groups are who FEBC is reaching this Christmas through radio, in their heart languages.
Australia may not be an unreached nation, but there are still those amongst us who do not know that Jesus in that Christmas story is God’s greatest gift of love to them. My prayer is for them also.
Across the world, there are still the outcast, the forgotten, and the oppressed for whom Jesus came to rescue. Let them hear the greatest love story Christmas.
As we ponder God’s love for us this Christmas, may we act in love, and may we share the love of God that we have so freely received.
Leaving you with this rendition of ‘Silent Night’ using traditional instruments from our colleagues in Eurasia. Blessed Christmas.
About the author: Kevin Keegan is the CEO of FEBC Australia. For more than 75 years, Far East Broadcasting Co. has been broadcasting the Good News of Jesus to the unreached in their heart languages. These are commonly the most forgotten and marginalised of society, often forced to assimilate in language and culture to the dominant culture in the country they are in. To date, FEBC reaches people groups in over 50 countries and 145 languages.
Reflect & Respond:
- How are you impacted knowing Jesus came because of His love for you? How does this love compel you to share about Jesus with others?
- Will you put yourself in an uncomfortable position for love? How can you act in love this Christmas?
- If you would like prayer or direct someone to find out more about Jesus, check out this page on Vision Christian Media’s website.
