Christmas 2020
Every year gets a Christmas — even 2020.
It has been a challenging year, to be sure. For nearly all of us, it has been a year of isolation, of loneliness, and at least a little fear. And for far too many, it has been a year of heartache and loss as well. We've managed to connect through social media, and we've learned how to Zoom. We've brushed up on our FaceTime skills, and we've taken communion in our own living rooms. And all of these things have helped a little. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, technology can make our lives easier. But we've also been reminded that in the end, there is simply no substitute for physical nearness to others. We still long for a firm handshake and a warm embrace. For these, we must be face-to-face.
It has always been a special privilege, and an occasion for unique connection, to look upon the face of another person. But these days, even when we're together, we're often denied the opportunity. We know the reasons why. With so many who are sick, in 2020 to regard a maskless face is to risk our own harm. But this isn't the first time that has been the case.
Some 3,000 years ago, Moses enjoyed a unique relationship with the Almighty. The Lord revealed himself to the prophets of old through dreams and visions, but with Moses, he spoke differently. Our English translations describe their conversations as face-to-face, but the Hebrew is literally mouth-to-mouth.1 It's an important distinction, because even Moses could not behold the face of God.
It was not for a lack of interest. Of God, Moses asked, "Now show me your glory." But the Lord replied, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. But you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."2 The glory of the presence of God was so awesome that the other Israelites could not even bear to look upon the face of Moses when he came down from Mount Sinai. His face, we are told, was radiant. The others – even Aaron, the high priest – were afraid to come near him. So Moses covered his face with a veil when he was around them.3 Social distancing is hardly new.
But here is the miracle of Christmas. The great God who made us reigns forever over all. He is immortal, and lives in unapproachable light. No man has seen him, or can see him.4 No man, that is, but one: The one born in a stable in Bethlehem a few millennia ago, and laid in a manger.
He has told us so himself: "No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father."5 But Christ did not come merely to tell us about the Father, or to assure us that he has seen him. He came to show us the Father. That great God whose face Moses could not behold, and whose glory frightened even the high priest, has revealed himself to us in the face of his only Begotten. As Jesus told his disciple, "Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father."6
It is in the light of Christmas, and all that would follow, that Paul could say, "What was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face. Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."7
The most profound miracle of Christmas is not the fact that a virgin bore a child, as extraordinary as that is. Rather, it is the astonishing truth that our eternal, invisible Creator took on human flesh, that we might see him indeed. God came to us that we might see his face. We need never wonder whether he loves us, for he has not merely told us; He has shown us. It is truly the wonder of wonders.
Even so, we await a moment more glorious still. Our great God is coming again. Once more, and forevermore, we will behold his face. He will return in power and glory, and every eye will see him - even those who pierced him.8 It will be a day of profound joy for all who have longed for his return, but one of terrible despair for those who have ignored and rejected him. Yes, every year gets a Christmas, because every person needs a Savior. So be ready, dear friends. Be ready.
Be ready, and watch the eastern sky.
With much love from our family to yours,
Lee