Dear Fellow Workers and Friends of our ELS:
The psalmist David states in Psalm 145: “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom” (v. 3). Who can deny that the world we live in is full of testimonies to the greatness of God? The galaxies of the universe, the intricacies of the human body, even how “seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night” cyclically occur as promised (Genesis 8:22), move us to be amazed at our Creator and Preserver. Then, there is the miracle of Christmas that overshadows all else with its awesome majesty—a majesty revealed in such a lowly and loving manner!
The Babe in the Bethlehem manger excels all of the unfathomable mysteries of our great God.
We agree with Charles Spurgeon who once said: “Though creation may be a majestic organ of praise, it cannot reach the compass of the golden canticle—incarnation. There is more in that than in creation, more melody in Jesus in the manger than there is in worlds on worlds, rolling in grandeur round the throne of the Most High.”
This miracle overwhelms all else because of its impact on each of us personally both for time and eternity. It is encapsulated in the name given the Holy Infant: Jesus—that is, SAVIOR! Yet, there is more. While the creation attests to a loving God, it is in the incarnation that we see his highest act of love! In that flesh-taking moment by His only-begotten Son, God was fulfilling his plan to rescue sinners by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Roman 5:6-8).
In my office I still display one of those familiar plaques containing the name of JESUS. How one views it visually, as you know, is a matter of perspective. But how one views that name spiritually—by the Spirit’s power—gives the true perspective to every aspect of life! May God have us reflect on the gift of his Son and what this means for our lives, now and eternally.
Thanks for all you do in promoting this saving Name!
Have a blessed Christmas in
President John A. Moldstad
