A BIGGER, BROADER CHRISTMAS

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David...While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born." (Luke 2:4,6, NIV)

Playing the same local nine-hole course week and week out would be quaint, yes. But it would also be rather naive. After all, it's a big world out there, and the wonderful collection of golf courses available for play is spread far and wide. It would be a shame to limit your perspective to one little track, no matter how enjoyable it is.

As we move into December and the Christmas season, we can make the same error in perspective if we limit our view of Christ's coming to the "little town of Bethlehem."

Quaint though that picture is, we can never place such limitations on our Savior. For He did not come only to fill that stable, only to touch those who gathered there that night.

Jesus Christ came to forgive white sinners and black sinners, or whatever color you consider your skin to be.

Jesus Christ came to redeem Sunnis and Shi'ites and Kurds.

Jesus Christ came to grow up the young and foolish, and renew the old and proud.

Jesus Christ came to heal the blindly sick and harass the self-assuredly well.

Jesus Christ came to speak the language of the needy, whether they sleep behind a dumpster or slumber in a club room.

You see, Jesus Christ came to build a kingdom, not tidy up a hamlet. Both Father and Son had far more in mind that night in Bethlehem than a localized impact. In fact, that's where Herod, the murderous king, made his error: thinking that killing the boys in his region would cut off this Savior.

By then Jesus was out in the world, where His wide, wide work would be done.

--

Jeff Hopper

December 1, 2006

Copyright 2006 Links Players International

The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.