Christmas, Part One

I don't normally put whole chunks of Scripture in my blog, but I think seeing these two Advent passages side by side in a format different from the Bibles we use will be helpful in grasping more fully who Jesus is, and why reminding ourselves of the true definition of Christmas is essential to Life.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them--
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.

He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets prisoners free,
the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but He frustrates the ways of the wicked.

The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.
(Psalm 146:5-10)

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When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'

Jesus replied, 'Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.'
(Matthew 11:2-6)

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Jesus--He is the LORD.

This is Christmas: falling on our faces in awe of the Maker of all things, Forever-Sovereign, perfect justice-dispensing God who submitted to the confinements of skin, blood and bones in order to pursue with everlasting love the hearts of all people.