The last couple of mornings, as I’ve read in John 18, I’ve thought about how appropriate it is that, as I start getting “cranked up” for Christmas and focusing on the wonder of Immanuel, God with us, that I should be reading about His last days on earth. As much as I love to focus on that baby in the manger, the riches of “the season” are deepened when I recognize that this same baby was also the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. And a phrase in John 18:20 this morning kind of captured the essence of this time of year.

Jesus is before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was the high priest. Annas questions Jesus about His disciples and His teachings. And Jesus’ response? “Ask them. Ask all those who have heard my teachings. It’s not something I’ve secretly passed on only to the select few. If you’re really interested, ask those who’ve heard Me — surely they know what I’ve said.” (v 20-21 – kinda – Pete’s paraphrase) And the phrase in verse 20 which so reflects what the Christmas season can be are the words, “I spoke openly to the world.”

Isn’t that what that the first Christmas was? An open, public declaration of Jesus the Savior . . . angels declaring His coming and glory 2,000 years ago . . .a star visible for all who had eyes to see . . . leading to that most holy place in Bethlehem? There was nothing secretive about that first Christmas. It wasn’t just a “what’s said in Bethlehem, stays in Bethlehem,” event between Mary, Joseph, and the animals in the stable. The shepherds knew about it, as did those they told. Aged Simeon and Anna knew about it. Eventually the magi would know about it . . . and so would Herod.

That first public declaration by angelic beings kind of set the precedent, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior–yes, the Messiah, the Lord–has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12 NLT)

A public declaration . . . spoken openly for all who had ears to hear. And that’s what Jesus said at the end of His earthly life as He stood before those who would eventually see to it that He hung on a cross — He says, “I have spoken openly to the world.”

And every year at this time there exists an opening . . . a unique opening . . . for Messiah to be presented . . . to surface the question, “Who was this baby whose birth was the catalyst for these ‘Happy Holidays?’ ” Sure, there’ll be many who, like this hard-hearted high priest, aren’t really interested in the question or the answer. But there will also be some who are seeking . . . some with the heart of the magi, who are seeking . . . some who will hear . . . and see . . . and believe . . . and respond. That’s why He still seeks to speak openly to the world by His Spirit through His people.

So we, as His followers, need to seize those occasions afforded us to share “the Reason for the Season.” O, that God’s Holy Spirit would use this Christmas to move some to hear Jesus as He continues to speak openly to the world through us. That the Spirit might help me to recognize when I have those opportunities to be one of those disciples who can pass on what I’ve heard Him openly speak . . . through His birth . . . through His death . . . through His resurrection . . . through His saving grace . . . through new life in Him . . . about His promise of coming again one day. That I too might speak openly . . . for a lost world’s benefit . . . and for His glory . . .