It all started Christmas Day 1985. My wife, Janet, persuaded me to prepare tacos for our first intimate Christmas dinner. That was the beginning of Our Christmas Taco Tradition. We’ve been doing tacos every Christmas since and have no intent to revert to a more traditional meal in the future.
Perhaps we were still worn out from our first Thanksgiving turkey dinner and felt the need for a break from an extravagant meal. Perhaps we just wanted to celebrate the birth of Christ in a humble way.
Whatever the reason, the taco tradition has stuck and it’s become quite special in the Langley household.
And, we continue to munch those Christmas tacos for the remainder of the year as we replenish the ingredients once or twice as needed. The tradition seems to truly help keep us focused on the Christ child’s humble beginning in that lowly stable more than 2,000 years ago.
It’s quite easy to get caught up in the glamor and glitter of the season. Frankly, my most memorable Christmases were those when we were somewhat financially strapped and our emphasis was not on presents but the presence of those near to us.
We’d all be wise to focus on our relationships rather than things that encompass us. It’s not that I mind receiving tangible gifts, but their true value is often short-lived. Then again, I believe it’s much more gratifying to give than receive.
When I accepted Christ as my Savior and Lord in 1984, my whole world was turned upside down — for the better.
Having survived two failed marriages earlier in life, I found myself in love with Jesus and quite satisfied in remaining single, if that was God’s will for my life. But He had other plans and soon introduced me to the love of my life through a Singles Sunday School class in Ontario, California.
It took me a while to figure out this was God’s doing, but I now thank Him daily for bringing Janet into my life.
At Christmas we need to focus on our Savior, who emptied Himself to come into this world as a fragile human baby for a distinct purpose. You see, Jesus was present with God from the beginning of time as we know it. He emptied himself of His omnipotence, His omniscience, His omnipresence, His eternality and His immutability.
Briefly, let’s look at these five distinct attributes of God.
When Christ came to earth, He had no power as a small baby boy dependent on Mary and Joseph who cared for Him dearly. They both knew He was the precious Son of God sent to save His people.
As Jesus grew in strength and understanding, He only found power in His Heavenly Father. Jesus admitted His humanness in Matthew 19:26: “Jesus looked at them (His disciples) and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”
He also left behind His knowledge of all things when He came to earth. In Hebrews 4:13 the writer proclaims, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
The God man gradually learned from His Father in Heaven and called upon Him constantly for His direction and understanding.
When Jesus entered this world, He obviously had to leave behind the attribute to be in all places at all times.
Christ entered this world at His Father’s prescribed time for His prescribed purpose. For 33 years He grew from a young boy into an adult — fully man and fully God in flesh.
In Matthew 8:20, we see Jesus’ vulnerability: “Jesus replied. ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.’”
He also gave up His eternality and His immutability when He came to earth. God and His Son have existed forever and will continue forever.
In Psalm 102, described as “a plea to an unchanging God” by the psalmist, in verse 27 we read, “But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”
It’s good to reflect upon God’s perfect gift to this undeserving world. We are not worthy, but need to humbly come to His throne and ask forgiveness for the sin that encumbers us all.
That’s what Christmas means to this devoted follower of Christ: “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
I trust you will join me at the foot of the cross.
Passages to Ponder
— Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent in Santa Barbara. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his personal relationship with God, and his goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. As a longtime member of CBMC of Santa Barbara (Christian Business Men’s Connection), he started writing Fourth Quarter Strategies columns in 2014, and he now reaches an international audience through the CBMC International devotional Monday Manna. He can be contacted at jim@fourthquarterstrategies.com for more information. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.