My family calls this day Christmas Adam. You know, because Adam came before Eve. I know what you're thinking: aren't the Dears cool!
This would typically be the day when we creatures of habit would venture out and do something different. And by that, I mean we would forego our trip to El Ranchito and instead have pizza or Japanese food. One time we even went to the Cherokee. I'm telling you, it was crazy.
It only recently hit me how Christmas Adam could hold a double meaning: a meaning deeper than cuisines and switching up routines. This whole story of Christmas, this beautiful narrative, really goes back to Adam.
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1
What began in a garden with Adam and then Eve came full-circle on that night in Bethlehem with who Paul called the new Adam.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." John 1:14,16
It still blows my mind that Jesus "dwelt among us." He knew all about sicknesses and pressures and loneliness and temptations. He knew what a sore throat and a stubbed toe felt like. He knew how hard it was to live in a fallen world. And He came to redeem it.
The hope of Christmas, the hope of this entire season, and the hope of believers in Christ is that our stories will be redeemed. There will be redemption from December mornings filled with tears, December nights that feel really lonely, December days that leave us longing for more. And there will be no shame: over what we said last night, over what we didn't accomplish this season, over whatever burdens our shoulders are carrying this Advent.
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Whatever your tradition is this Christmas Adam (or maybe your family is normal and doesn't have one), do not miss the chance to reflect on this beautiful redemption story. From the Garden of Eden to the Garden of Gethsemane to our own gardens are mere glimpses that the best is yet to come.
Adam needed saving. Eve needed saving. You and I need saving. And by the grace of God, the new Adam—the Redeemer of all of our days—has come.
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