During these last few days before Christmas, I hope we can all carve out a few minutes to ponder the mystery of what we simply call “the reason for the season.” As part two of last week’s post, this post shares more Christmas thoughts from Christians of different generations and walks of life.

Which one of these stands out to you the most? Which of these quotes pull you into deeper understanding or awe about the Incarnation?

Tim Keller has said that the Incarnation is one of the central truths that set Christianity apart from so many religions. The thought that God could (or would) become one of us is unimaginable for all but Christians.

It is truly amazing.

“Christmas split history. Foretastes of the future abound. Drink deeply on what he achieved for us. And be filled with hope for all that is coming.” – John Piper

“The birth of Christ is the central event in the history of the earth– the very thing the whole story has been about.” – C.S. Lewis

“When you say, ‘Doctrine doesn’t matter; what matters is that you live a good life,’ that is a doctrine. It is called the doctrine of salvation by your works rather than by grace. It assumes that you are not so bad that you need a Savior, that you are not so weak that you can’t pull yourself together and live as you should. You are actually espousing a whole set of doctrines about the nature of God, humanity, and sin. And the message of Christmas is that they are all wrong.” – Tim Keller, Hidden Christmas

“Who among us will celebrate Christmas correctly? Whoever finally lays down all power, all honor, all reputation, all vanity, all arrogance, all individualism beside the manger; whoever remains lowly and lets God alone be high; whoever looks at the child in the manger and sees the glory of God precisely in his lowliness.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“God had come near. He came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, but as one whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. The hands that first held him were unmanicured, calloused, and dirty.” – Max Lucado, God Came Near

“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” — C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

“If Christmas is just a nice legend, in a sense you are on your own. But if Christmas is true, then you can be saved by grace.” – Tim Keller, Hidden Christmas

“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” – Linus, “Charlie Brown Christmas”

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash