Chicken Soup and Christmas

Yesterday evening we got a Texas-sized jar full of Chicken soup.

Two third of our family was down with some kind of sickness with high fever and likewise symptoms. The head of the family was scrambling to make some fast and easy food. But the soup jar came at the right time as a gift to the weary and hungry hearts.

The yumminess in the soup quickly gave relief to the whole family, especially to the mom. There is something in the mom’s heart that makes her happy to see that healthy home-crafted and needed things coming her way. I think it is not just about food.

This Sunday morning I was washing the jar and was simultaneously reflecting upon both Christmas and Worship.

Isn’t it Christmas the story of the celebration of the greatest gift coming our way? That was God himself born in human form to meet our needs. Much beyond the chicken soup which was a relief and healing touch, the gift of Christmas was to meet our greatest needs.

Our need for direction. Our need for meaning. Our need for purpose in life. Our need for joy. Our need for love. Our need for peace. Our need for hope.

The Word became flesh is not a random act. Certainly, there is an element of time in it. As the Bible says…

when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman... (Gal. 4:4 ESV)

At the right time, the Son is sent. But still, the amazing thing is it is with great forethought from the Lord. It s awesome to think the creator of the world, the eternally existing God, put some forethought in creating and planning for human beings. That pre-plan is what resulted in God being born as a man out of a virgin.

Centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ, the prophet Isaiah wrote:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 (Isa. 9:6 ESV)

A reason for us to celebrate not just for the Christmas season but for all the time. The gift of God has been offered unto us. The child is born who is the Son of God. He is mighty to save us. He is the best counselor. He is the eternal God. In Him is the peace that we need.

Lord Jesus christ- A timely, needed gift to the world with a forethought from the Lord.

What a perfect gift?