from the center of truth Cod has given. We need to keep a proper perspective on what this season really stands for. The meaning of Christmas gath ers up the significance of a great many marvels centered upon Christ. A "marvel" by dictionary defini tion is something that arouses wonder, admiration or astonish ment. They also inspire love and praise. The first marvel that comes to my attention is the marvel of the mystery of godliness (I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 2:14). John de scribes this further by stating, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth" (1:14). Consider this marvel of godliness that the Lord tabernacled among us in hu man form. He took our flesh and became identified with us in ev ery respect, except for sin. Bible marvels, by the way, are truths that are graciously and di vinely revealed, not things kept secret so that nobody can under stand them. This is the blessing of Bible mysteries. When you have a faith that can be thoroughly ex plained and defined you will also have one that is completely hu man. Such is not the case with ours which is absolutely divine. The glory of this mystery is dis covered in John 1:14 and the grace of it in II Timothy 1:9 ,10. We were saved not according to our works. It was all of His own purpose and grace, given us in Christ before the world began. The Saviour abolished death and brought life and immor tality to light through the Gospel. The goal of this mystery is un derscored in Hebrews 2:9,10, "But
we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of Cod should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." Another of the Christmas mar vels is the miracle of grace. Con sider the change in Christ on our behalf. Though He was rich, for our sakes He become poor (II Cor inthians 8:9). In Philippians 2:5-11 we have one of the most majestic passages of the Bible telling us of His condescension. He became a servant that we might be exalted with Him. Think of the change, too, in the life of the virgin as she is moved upon by the Holy Spirit. This metamorphosis was divinely originated. There is a change, too, in the believer as he receives the truth of God to himself, being made an adopted child by faith. We are continually changed into the image of the Saviour. Finally, we cannot overlook the compelling message of the Gospel. The missing note in this world's Christmas celebration is expressed in the carol, "No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground. He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found. Far as the curse is found." The meaning of Christmas is found in the message of the Gos pel. There has been removal of the curse which was left by sin. John
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