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The Supporting Cast of Christmas

by Todd Cyphers on December 08, 2021

The Supporting Cast of Christmas

Every great story has a supporting cast that gives the story depth. Movies need a full cast to keep things interesting and to keep the plot turning and twisting.

God’s story also needs a full cast to be the true story of redemption. On our own we cause many plots to twist and turn due to our self-centeredness and foolishness.

Look at the first Christmas supporting cast.

Herod thinks his political ambitions will satisfy his soul and make him successful. He is willing to wheel and deal, make compromising friendships, throw his power around to show how great he thinks he is, and even willing to have a righteous man’s head severed because he gets enticed by a young girl dancing. His dream is to be powerful and respected.

Then there are shepherds in the fields. Doing their work and going about everyday life when an angel of the Lord appears and shakes up their world. They never dreamed when they woke up that they would see God’s majesty come upon them. They were considered lost causes. Their dream was probably to make some money from their sheep to take care of their families.

The hero, or main Character of God’s story, is a baby. God who became man. He needs no supporting cast, but we need Him. The Lord becomes a baby and grows up to be the One who gave His life on a cross. His resurrection sets Him apart from all the bad actors in the world who say they can save us. Political saviors, religious fraud saviors, green peace saviors, humanistic saviors telling everyone they need no Savior, and the list goes on.

Christmas not only reminds us that God is Immanuel, God with us, but that He is also the One who is for us and is willing to work His life in us and through us.

Christmas is the revealing of the only God humbling Himself to show that He is gentle and lowly for the sake of us who did not love Him.

Here is the story line of Christmas:

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) – “Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’”

 

Jesus is Lord,

Todd