The Nativity Story - Back to Basics

It's the time of Christmas again.

I just watched the trailer of the movie "The Nativity Story". Been wanting to catch it. But I can't seem to locate an English version of it here. But the trailer's been good. There's an extended one on the scene just after His birth, where the three wise men came from afar to present gifts to the newborn King.


Gold. Frankincense. Myrrh.

Kingship. Worship. Sacrifice.

Everything in the bible is written for a purpose and a reason. Gold represents kingship. Frankincense worship. And Myrrh (typically used for embalming the body after death) - represents death and sacrifice.

Perhaps the greatest gift of all - Sacrifice.

At the Christmas gathering on Thursday - I felt led to share this with the small group discussion - on how God - the King of Kings and Lord of Lords had chosen to be born in the lowliest of places - baffling all human wisdom and pomp - to stoop so low so as to become one of us. And not just that - to prepare for the ultimate journey towards the ultimate sacrifice. It was all planned for in the beginning - that one born of such humility shall come to save the world.

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

It is with such simplicity of circumstances. Yet - it was the greatest mystery.
Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of ministry and work - we forget the simplicity of how Jesus came. I feel the Spirit's leading to go back to the simplicity of it all - the basics of looking at Him, observing Him and gazing upon His goodness.

Sometimes, the greatest things are not to be found among the glitz and glamour - but in the deep recesses of the realm of the forgotten - where God is waiting for us to find Him there. Forget the works for now. Forget the strife for now. Go back to where we first met Him. Recapture the wonder of it all. That is the beauty of salvation - the greatest gift.

In Psalm 51, David pleaded to God to restore unto him the JOY of his salvation.

Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Then will we be able to teach transgressors His ways and turn them back to Him. No point preaching the gospel if we have lost that first joy. Go back to Him. Let Him restore the joy of your salvation. That you may be the carrier of the fragrance of the almighty. Before we can reach out. We reach to Him.

God is waiting.