Treaties are signed, even temporarily, for Christmas. In families and between countries, the agreement to live in peace for even just a short time is often made for the holidays. People step out of their normal routines, paying more attention to the needy and giving more than any other time of the year.
At Christmas, people seem to feel more unified.
There’s a reason for that, even if it’s wrapped up and stuffed away inside of many, many layers of worldly tradition and philosophy: Christ unifies us.
He came as a baby. We’ve all been babies. He had a childhood, friends, and even a job. Christ was fully man, making Him just like us. He was even tempted as we are tempted, so that:
“We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin.”
–Hebrews 4:15
Though He did not sin, Christ died. Just like all of us, He had a time appointed for his life to end. We find unity in that life, and that death.
For those of us who know Him, we also find unity in the hope and promise we have that we will also live –and die- and then live forever with Him. In light of who Christ was and that gift He freely gives, we have every reason to join together in worship, gratitude, and praise.
Our model for unity is found in the trinity. All belong to each other because selfish ambition and pride is absent. In belonging to another, the will in the same, and the goal of each shared. Each one unified is unified for a reason:
“I in them and you in me–so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
–John 17:23
That godly gift of unity is found most when we enter the presence of the Lord, coming near to Him, because He is the unifier.
Behold, the only reason we can be unified despite out warring flesh.
Behold, the One who unifies us in praise.
Behold, the unity found in the Christ was fully man and fully God.
This post is being shared on: #TestimonyTuesday, #RaRaLinkup, and #Intentionally Pursuing
So thankful for His unifying work! He brings us together like no other person can. It’s amazing how connected you can feel just meeting someone when you know they’re a believer. That instant unity is a powerful thing! #RaRaLinkup