"To You This Day", by Pastor Kevin Lynch

I'm not quite sure how God works it out.

I have this acquired spiritual sense that God is not governed by space and time, and that His omniscience and omnipotence somehow is able to make things of the past as real and tangible in the present.

I find this particularly true concerning the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection.

It's the Incarnation, or more commonly referred to as "the birth of Christ", that I am addressing today.

One of the greatest verses in the Bible record an announcement to the world. In my opinion the most wonderful announcement in human history.

Luke 2:11 - "For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!"

Historically this happened about 2,000 years ago.

I submit that it somehow, someway, is still happening.

"For to you" is as fresh a real moment as it was so many years ago when the shepherds heard it.

I don't mean it as historical data, but as a present day life changing reality as sure an event now as it was then.

"This day" is either going to become a skimmed over neat story that we blow the dust off once a year around the Christmas tree, or it has achieved the goal which I believe it was intended for, which is to be the earth shattering force that continues to guide man today.

He wasn't just "born".

He was born "for you this day". What day? The alleged albeit incorrect date of Dec. 25th c. 3 BCE?

Or right now?

He was born so you could be "born-again".

Have you pondered the realness of your incarnate Presence? The day Christ was born into your heart?

Yes, He was born as an infant in the flesh as a gift to the world, but He has been birthed in the hearts as well of those who accept Him as Lord and Savior.

He lives and breathes at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly kingdom, but His Spirit has been born into you, which has made you truly alive.

So while the significant event of Jesus being born as an infant cannot be repeated, the concept of Incarnation is being repeated constantly and continuously. While the Crucifixion will never be repeated on a cross on a hill, it is being repeated every time a person submits to the washing by His blood, which somehow still flows fresh and freely, and is poured out in it's cleansing and purifying efficacy. His Resurrection will never happen to Jesus again, but it happens each time a person experiences the resurrection of their dead spirits in Christ.

How else can we interpret such mystical passages as my favorite: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me". (Gal. 2:20)

Jesus is the Living Word (John 1:1). This mean the Word is alive. It's alive and has never become stagnant or static. It has never not been alive. So, we need to experience what we read and interpret as being a living organism, not just ancient words bound by leather and glue.

This is why it's real right now.

So, "for to YOU is born THIS day" never gets old. Never fades with time. Never gets banished to the halls and annals of ancient history.

Jesus is alive today because He was born, died, and resurrected.

Have you been born-again? Have you been crucified with Jesus? Have you experienced the resurrection of your once dead spirit into new life?

If you have, then a truly Merry Christmas to you!

Be blessed today!

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><