Jesus told a parable to his followers, “Which of you intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he will have sufficient resources to finish it?” or, “What king, going to make war against another king, does not first sit down and consult whether he is able with 10,000 to meet him that comes against him with 20,000?”
Jesus was talking about counting the cost in order to finish what you start. And one thing is sure, Jesus never gave counsel to others that he would not practice himself. Welcome to Christmas. It is not merely an historical event, it is the beginning of a powerful work to build the kingdom of God, which will be finished just as certainly as it began.
To only look back to that first Christmas is to miss the point. Jesus, the son of God, came to bless the world by offering all mankind forgiveness and eternal life. He told his disciples, “This message of the kingdom must be preached to all the world, then shall the end come.” His seeming delay is not delay at all, but an unwillingness to usher in his kingdom until all have been given the choice to enter it.
As we celebrate the wonder and love of Christ’s birth, let us remember that the work which he began he will finish with the same love and power. The story is not over, the best is yet to come. The angelic message is just as true today as it was that first Christmas, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people: for unto you is born this day, in the City of David, a saviour which is Christ the lord.” Merry Christmas!