I remember hating Christmas afternoon when I was a kid. It is the ultimate anti-climatic moment in a child's life. Especially if you just got a whole bunch of clothes for Christmas. I'm not knocking getting clothes (as long as the person buying is on my approved list of friends who have earned the right to pick the threads with which I clothe my body), but you can't exactly play with them all day. There's only so many ways to jazz up stirrup pants. (Hey, back up off of the stirrup pants. I grew up in the 80's.) Unless you just got a red Michael Jackson thriller jacket, getting clothes wasn't quite exciting.
I remember the one time I got exercise equipment for Christmas. I know, you're thinking of something like Tony Little's Gazelle or perhaps a Bowflex. Think more pink and purple yoga mat and a leotard that gave me a major wedgie. Super exciting. Not even being sarcastic. I felt like Suzanne Somers. Or a really young Jane Fonda. Just kidding. I had no idea who they were. I still kind of don't. I know Jane Fonda was in that Jennifer Lopez movie.
On one side of the mat there were pictures of different stretching positions you could do. I tried my darndest to figure them out. Four year olds don't have a whole heck of a lot of coordination. Also I'm pretty sure than I'm not cut out to be a yoga instructor. I gave it my best shot, but I'm pretty sure the most effective use of the exercise mat was for a Christmas afternoon nap. Which, to me, is what Christmas afternoons are for. That, or writing a blog entry.
See, a while ago I wrote about how I never finish anything. Then I started a series about the gifts of the wise men. And I haven't finished it yet. But I am determined. By the end of Christmas day, I will finish my Christmas blog series. Thank God there's only three wise men. (aaaand commence argument about the fact that the number of wise men is widely disputed and only folklore dictates the quantity as three. Congratulations, you're smart. But the song I sing says We Three Kings. That's enough evidence. Faith like a child. That's me.)
So, now we're focusing on the gift of Myrrh. Myrrh is similar to Frankincense in that it is resin from a tree. Myrrh is an oil that is used as a perfume or an ointment. Its main purpose is for the bathing and preparing of a dead body. The gift of myrrh brings to our attention the role of Jesus as our Savior. The pivotal moment of Jesus as our Savior took place at his death. But it all began at Christmas. It all began when Jesus made the initial sacrifice by becoming man. Philippians chapter 2 tells us about the humility of Christ, when he became obedient to death. He humbled himself to become man, even though He had full rights to His deity.
It is fitting that during Christmas, where we focus on the birth of Christ, we also think on His death as well. I adore reading the Christmas story in Luke during the holidays. But maybe we should also be reading Isaiah 53 as well. Please take the time to read this scripture and meditate on it.
Who has believed our message? To whom will the LORD reveal his saving power?
My servant grew up in the LORD's presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.
He was despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins!
But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!
All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.
He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.
From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins--that he was suffering their punishment?
He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.
But it was the LORD's good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD's plan will prosper in his hands.
When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.
I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners.
Isaiah 53
Thank you Jesus for your great sacrifice. Let us never forget the great price you paid for our sake.
Merry Christmas.
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