Writers' Corner: Strange but True

Ah, Christmas time! Remembrances of celebrating Christmas as children. In my childhood, it was all about Santa Claus and poring through catalogs from Sears, Montgomery Ward, and Penny’s. My sisters and I dog-eared the pages and carefully wrote letters to Santa. I don’t think he really read them, because I never got the pet monkey, I wanted more than anything.

I enjoyed Christmas music. There was music about Jesus, even on secular radio and television programs. I loved caroling, going from house to house in my hometown of Jonesville, Michigan. “Joy to the World,” “The First Noel,” “Silent Night,” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.” I fondly remember the cold crisp air, the joyful songs, the camaraderie of the carolers and the hot chocolate and cookies when we were done.

I grew up believing Jesus’ life began on the first Christmas. The Gospels tell the good news about Jesus miraculous birth, life, miracles, death, and resurrection. The Synoptic (seeing things together) Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell about Jesus’ birth, baptism, and teaching in parables. Matthew shows Jesus came from Abraham and demonstrates He is the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. Mark shows Jesus came from Nazareth, showing Him to be a servant. Luke reveals Jesus descended from Adam, showing Jesus to be the perfect man. The synoptic gospels center on Jesus ministry in Galilee and the last year or so of His ministry on earth.

John’s Gospel shows at least 16 things found only in John, including that Jesus came from heaven, the need to be born again, Jesus’ visits to Jerusalem before passion week, and much of what Jesus did during His first three (and possibly four years) of public ministry, including several trips to Jerusalem. John includes the stories of Nicodemus, the woman caught in adultery and the Samaritan woman at the well.

The first words in John 1:1-3 chronicle the same events as Genesis 1:1-3. Jesus, thousands of years before he was incarnate as God in man through Mary’s womb, was active in creation. In the beginning, Jesus, the Logos, the exact representation of God, came to a world that was formless and void, and was active in the creation of the universe.

Imagine this strange truth, Jesus, being fully God, emptied himself to become a man. Some have compared this to a man becoming an ant, but a man did not create ants, but Jesus created humans. The thought of God, in the human form of baby Jesus, needing to be fed, have his swaddling clothes changed, and being taught to walk and talk is amazingly incredible. Our only reasonable response is to place our trust in Jesus, receive him as savior and Lord, so we humans can become more like God.

Writer’s Tip: Take a thought, think on it until it becomes an idea, and begin writing. Soon you will have a story to tell, a poem to write, or a book to publish.

Writer’s Bio: Douglas Carr moved to Sturgis in 1988 and was called to Pastor First Church of God in Sturgis on 8/30/1992. Since then, he married the love of his life, Pamela who joined him in life and ministry on 12/12/93. They have pastored His House Foursquare Church since 5/30/2011. Doug has published 34 books including his newest, Parents and Prodigals. Share your thoughts with Doug or inquire about his books at freedomminister@yahoo.com.

— Sturgis Writers’ Mill is a community of writers who constructively encourage, support and challenge each other as they discover their unique voices. Any opinion expressed is solely that of the author.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Writers' Corner: Strange but True