December 2020

Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk

Don’t Forget The Baby

A

by Jimmy Bryant

re you ready for Christmas? Do you have all your

Is He really with us? What place will He occupy in

Christmas presents bought? Are you cooking

your home and family and mine? This child referred to in

Christmas dinner this year? How many times will

Matthew chapter 1 is none other than the “only begotten

you have to answer those questions this year? With each

Son of God.” God sent His only begotten Son into this sin-

question and each answer, the tension builds. Gradually,

stained world, and this Son of God came into this world

the joy of Christmas turns into the dread of Christmas.

fully aware of what He faced. He lived, loved, suffered,

Why? Does it make us feel inadequate, incompetent, or

and died on a cruel cross for my sin and yours. Jesus had

perhaps like a procrastinator? Of course, hot on the heels of the inquirer’s question is the ever-pressing Christmas dinner menu. The questions will follow: are you baking a ham? Are you roasting a turkey? What sides will you prepare? If constant curiosity is not enough, you must also deal with the family. Of course, your own family will be fantastic, but some in-laws come with the package too. As you try to take it all in, you find yourself wishing it could be just the kids: your kids. You didn’t know anyone knew this much about you, did you? I don’t. It just seems typical to me. You fielded all the inquiries, you did get the menu planned, and you made peace with your heart about your children not being children anymore.

authority over sin, death, hell, and the grave. He arose

However, there is one detail that you have overlooked: what

bodily from the tomb and promised to come back for us one

Christmas is all about. You forgot the baby!

day. If the death of Jesus was payment for the penalty of

Long before the car seat requirement, when our first child was born, he was only a few weeks old. We took him

my sin, then His resurrection was for the assurance of my eternal life.

with us to buy groceries. Returning to the car, I leaned in to

Go ahead and answer the questions. Go ahead and

put the groceries on the seat. Instead, I—thank God—gently

prepare the Christmas menu. Don’t worry; you will handle

tossed the baby in and set the groceries partially on him.

the family, but don’t miss the reason behind all this that we

My heart almost stopped. For just a moment, a critical

call Christmas. Don’t forget the baby who became a man,

moment, I forgot the baby. Matthew 1:18, 23 says, “Now the

died in our place, bodily rose from the dead, and promised

birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary

to return for us one day. Merry Christmas!

was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’”

6 // December 2020

About The Author

was found with child of the Holy Spirit…‘Behold, the virgin

Following his 80th birthday and almost 59 years in the ministry, Bryant retired, again. He and his wife of almost 60 years have two sons, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. They make their home in Summerville, Georgia. He is the author of “Confessions of a Baptist Minister.”