We're living in tumultuous times, yet amid growing hostility in the world, there's a renewed hunger for truth. The question for Christians is how will we respond? Hi, Nathan W. Bingham here, and before we get to today's episode, I wanted to let you know about a special event taking place on November 18th. Join Ligonier Ministries for an online event as we consider what it means to fight the good fight of faith in our day and how your support is helping to bring God's truth to a world that so desperately needs it.
You can learn more and register at ligoneer.org slash goodfight.
Well, here's today's episode. For some, you know, it can articulate that Jesus is the God-man, but once you try to get into how those two natures combine, some Christians, I think, can feel this might be a little out of my depth, and so they don't venture too far into Christology. And I want to encourage people to definitely go out into the deep end of Christology. You know, read the Nicene Creed, read the Chalcedonian Creed, go back then to Paul's teaching on who Jesus is in his epistles. Go back to putting together that composite as we see Jesus in the Gospels and have this rich, truly rich understanding of Jesus as the God-man.
And as we think on that and as we meditate on that, Now We marvel. at who Christ is and what He has done. As Christians, do we marvel at the wonder of Christ and the Incarnation as much as we could? Sadly, even during the Christmas season, it can be all too easy to get distracted by the busyness, the travel, and even the gift giving. that we can neglect the real meaning behind the season.
Welcome to the Monday edition of Renewing Your Mind, and today you'll hear about a unique book that was crafted to encourage Christians and Christian families to pause and reflect during Advent. And a book that was designed to be passed down to future generations. You can learn more and request a copy at renewingyourmind.org, but to tell us more is its author, the president of Reformation Bible College and Ligoneer Teaching Fellow Stephen Nichols. Dr. Nichols, welcome once again to the Renewing Your Mind Studio.
It's great to be with you, Nathan. Thanks for having me.
Well, as we start to look around the corner to the Christmas and Advent season, I wanted to take some time to talk about a book that you wrote, that you pulled together that is designed for this season. And it's called Peace. Classic Readings for Christmas. And I love this title, but I wanted to begin by asking you: what was your goal in writing this book? Nathan, you know, at Christmastime, everybody likes to read the traditional texts and different traditions.
We'll read Luke 2 or some of the other gospel texts, and we did that in our family. But one Christmas, I remember thinking, you know, what if we expanded this a little bit and started thinking about how we could pull in some Old Testament texts that prophesy of the incarnation, prophesy of the coming of Christ, then move to the Gospels and even add some texts from the epistles that just pull it all together. And so I actually began writing out these biblical texts that I wanted to include. And then I started to think, well, there's sort of a story that can be told here to walk somebody through not just this moment of Christmas morning, which is this miracle of the virgin birth and just this wonderful moment in the history of redemption, but to really capture what is the whole story of Christmas, of the Old Testament promises, of Jesus' fulfillment in his earthly life and ministry. And then as he is resurrected and in his ascended state, the epistles reflection.
So out of that came the book.
Well, I have to say that this is a very handsome book. The illustrations, the creative direction, they're excellent. And it's a hardcover book, cloth bound. It is clear to me that your desire was for this to remain in families and to be passed down. And there's a lot in this book, as you just alluded to.
It has quotes on Christmas and the incarnation from Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, R. C. Sprawl, of course. Quotes from Christmas Carols. You retell the Christmas story.
as you trace the seed through the Old Testament, And you include scripture readings covering the Christmas story in three Acts: promise, fulfillment, and reflection. There is more which we'll get to, but how do you describe this book when someone asks you?
Well, I can't take any credit for the design that you lauded, and I entirely agree with you and so thankful to Ligonier and the creative team and the artists that they use to design this because it is a coffee table book. I do believe it's got Gravitas to it. It's the kind of book that you can bring out each year. It was intended to have families use it each year. In fact, there's pages in the back where families can write their own Christmas traditions and have a story to tell for future children, grandchildren.
So, very grateful for Ligonier and how they wrapped such a beautiful book around the text. But again, goes back to that central idea. Of we need to be reminded of the whole story of Christmas. And another way of saying that is: this is actually the whole story of the Bible. that we talk about biblical theology, and this is biblical theology on the person and work of Christ, which really is the story.
And Christmas is just such that flashpoint moment. in the story that from the time we were children This season just almost magically captures our imagination. You mentioned children, and there's a lot of nostalgia when it comes to Christmas. It's easy for us to think of Christmas as the most wonderful time of the year. But why can Christmas be a sad time for some people, whether Christian or an unbeliever?
Nathan, I'm so glad you mentioned this. For some people, it is a very intense time of anxiety and. You know, as folks know, and so tragically, that Christmas season can be a time of increase in suicides. And so it forces us to think about this. And in the beginning of the book, I start off with a story that's a wonderful story that comes out of the trenches of World War I, of the Christmas truce.
And these were soldiers on the Western Front realizing that the next day was Christmas, and they decided to put the guns away. And the next thing you know, they're in no man's land, and they're exchanging soccer balls and cigarettes and showing pictures of their family. And many call it a miracle. This Christmas truce. But it approaches midnight, Christmas, and they all make their way back into the trenches.
And at twelve o'clock Once again the rat tat tat of the gun fire and the exploding of bombs fills the air again. And I think it's symbolic. of how people really want peace. But the way this world presents the solution to peace It's a band-aid. It's not going to be a true solution because it doesn't get to the true problem.
And we need peace not because we're at war with each other. Or nations are at war, we ultimately need peace because we are at war with God. And that's where the Christmas story needs to start. And it needs to acknowledge the anxiety and the tension and the conflict and the strife that is in life, not whitewash it. It's there because of who we are as sinners before God.
And now, now we have Christmas. And now we have the gift. Of this Precious God man Jesus Christ. God's beloved Son. And that's the solution.
That's the path to true peace.
So, just explain for our listeners: how does Jesus, the Son of God, Bring peace between God and man We can go back to the Old Testament here.
So you had mentioned the book has three parts: there's promise, there's fulfillment, and there's reflections. And essentially, promise is the Old Testament. Fulfillment is the gospels. This is the coming of the seed. And then reflection is.
Acts in the epistles as they reflect on that first generation and the apostolic work of codifying the message of Christ in the writing of the epistles.
So back in the Old Testament, what do we find? We find not peace, we find conflict between Adam and Eve. And they turn on each other. And imagine this, Nathan. There is never a bitter, harsh, insincere word.
passed between Adam and Eve. until the fall. And then immediately they turn on each other. And of course they're hiding from God, and so now there's conflict with God. But while Adam and Eve turn on each other, Kane turns around.
and slays Abel.
So, what is impressed upon us is our utter need. for a Redeemer. And in the very giving of the curse to Adam and Eve. God in His gracious mercy embeds The Solution. to the curse, and speaks of the promised seed.
And you've got to watch that because now it's going to grow throughout the Old Testament. And we're going to throw in that this seed is also a prophet. And the seed is also a priest. And the seed is also a king. And ultimately, the seed is Yeshua.
He is Joshua. He is the Savior of his people. And he's mighty to save. And so, as we see this develop in the Pentateuch, in the prophets, and of course, brilliantly for us in the Psalms, we just continually anticipate that coming of the true seed. the incarnate Christ.
I love this line from your Doctor Nichols. You say, according to the Apostle Paul's account, this infant this is Jesus this infant created all things, this infant created his own manger. And this infant, this king, brings peace on earth, ultimate and permanent peace. Yeah, there's a quote in here from Spurgeon where he says, Infant. but infinite.
And you think of this. Little child, this baby that is born. And we talk about, you know, wrapped in swaddling clothes. And we think, oh, that's some, you know, beautiful sort of blanket. And scholars think that's actually probably describing diapers.
This is a real baby who is going to cry as well. And you just think, while all this is happening, in the world around is totally unaware. Of this true history, the most significant history-changing moment. is happening. And everything about the Christmas story.
You know, the shepherds who are the sort of outcasts, and they come in and they have these angels give them this promise. The wise men who come later, as we know, but in nativity scenes get put at the major seed. But here they come, representing that this is going to be beyond Israel. This is going to be beyond, and it's going to go out to the Gentiles. And so just everything about this Christmas story, but it is an infant.
who is infinite lying in that major. Hopefully Christians think about the Incarnation often. but at the very least every year at Christmas They're thinking about this. But in your estimation, do you think Christians don't marvel enough at the wonder of Christmas? Yes, I agree.
And I I think it's both, Nathan. I think it's meditate and marvel. and meditate on really what is the one doctrine. that we cannot get wrong, and that's Christology. And so you think about what Christology is.
For some laity, I think they can, you know, they can articulate that Jesus is the God-man. But once you start getting into some of the finer points of the heresies, that try to get into how those two natures combine.
Some Christians, I think, can feel this might be a little out of my depth. And so they don't venture too far into Christology. And I want to encourage people to definitely go out into the deep end of Christology. You know, read the Nicene Creed. Read the Chalcedonian Creed.
Go back then to Paul's teaching on who Jesus is in his epistles. Go back to putting together that composite as we see Jesus in the Gospels. And have this rich, truly rich understanding of Jesus as the God-man. And as we think on that and as we meditate on that, Now We marvel. at who Christ is.
And what he has done. If you're just joining us, I'm speaking with Dr. Stephen Nichols about his book, Peace: Classic Readings for Christmas. And Dr. Nicholls, you dedicate this book to your three children.
As the author of many books, Why this book in particular As one you dedicate to your children?
Well, I mentioned, you know, the idea really came from thinking about them and thinking about some time during a Christmas when they were all little of working through these biblical texts with them. And I wanted them to know, you know, as they grow up and have their own families, if God wills, that hopefully they would use this as well and their families. And it might put a little smile on their face if they see that I dedicated it to them. Speaking of family, Christmas is a time where many families have their own traditions, and you include two significant traditions from church history. in this book Peace.
Firstly, the Festival of the Nine Carols and Lessons, and you include readings and prayers for people to use during the Advent season. Can you explain both of those for our listeners? Yeah, sure. And I certainly don't want to get prescriptive here and say this is the way that you keep Christmas or celebrate Christmas, but it's fun to dip back into church history and see different traditions.
So the Festival of Lessons and Carols basically walks through the whole story of Christmas, and it starts with the Old Testament texts, and it moves to the gospel fulfillment and the incarnation and the birth and incarnation of Christ. And then it moves into the epistles to sort of put a bow, so to speak, on the whole package of the meaning of Christmas. And then it's carols in between.
Now, you can have traditions where the carols are pretty intense and likely largely unknown.
So, you know, you substitute in any hymns that fit with that. But it's just a time for a family to have a bit more than let's read Luke 2 and now let's go. Open the presents. The other one is the Sundays in Advent.
So, as we think about Christmas, we're preparing for it from the beginning of December and then as Christmas comes. And again, the same thing's happening there. You're sort of walking through that story. of promise. and you're capturing all the dimension of the promise, the richness of the tapestry of who this person to come is.
And then you move right into Christmas itself. This cloth-bound hardcover book, you referred to it perhaps as a coffee table book. It is designed to be passed down for generations. And you mentioned earlier there's this section at the end where families can write their own traditions so that future generations, children, grandchildren, can learn about what their parents or grandparents, how they used to celebrate Christmas. Do you have any traditions in the Nichols household that perhaps you would write in your copy of Peace?
Well, we are we are ham, not turkey, so I don't know if that alienates me from some listeners or not. But our tradition is there's wonderful parks here. and central Florida. And we always pick some park and go do not amusement parks, nature parks.
So we always pick some park and do a hike on Christmas afternoon together as a family.
Well, Nathan, I'm going to turn the tables on you, the interviewer, and ask you, do you have any traditions in the Bingham household over Christmas? We do love traditions, but one that has been true, I think, for every year of my life. has been Christmas Eve. Watching Carols by Candlelight. Melbourne, Australia is where I was born and raised.
And every Christmas Eve they broadcast live. Christmas Carols And celebrities come in, Christian or unbeliever. To sing these carols. And I marvel Every Christmas Eve when I watch this, not only because it's a significant tradition in Australia, But because I now understand the words to these carols, and growing up as an unbeliever, I didn't know who Grace was and why she was so amazing. And all of these Christmas carols where I was singing about Christ and what he had done.
but was blinded to that truth. And so I'm reminded afresh of Of how grateful I am for the mercy of God in my life, that not only can I sing along with many Australians on Christmas Eve. I actually know the Savior that they're singing of. You know, Nathan, as you mentioned that, it's one of the things I love about Christmas. You'd be walking in a department store or in a shopping mall.
And you hear joy to the world as plain as day. And you hear that he came to make his blessings known as far as the curse is found. And you just pray that that somehow God uses those words to stick in somebody's head. Because there's just such rich gospel truth, so beautifully told in the Christmas carols and hymns. Screen.
Although there's some familiar Christmas hymns included in Peace, there are some that our listeners might not realize are actually Christmas hymns. Yeah, that's right, Nathan. Hopefully, you'll find your favorite hymn in here. But I included, for instance, Go Tell It on the Mountain. And we don't realize, but that's actually a Christmas carol and a Christmas hymn.
And here's just one of the stanzas: Down in a Lonely Manger. Our humble Christ was born, And God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.
So go tell it on the mountain. It's great. R. C. Sproul loved Christmas, and he wrote the foreword to peace.
And he writes this, Dr. Nichols. This book brings refreshing and profitable insight in the meaning, purpose, and the significance of Christmas. It is a valuable book for all of us to have and read as we contemplate this glorious moment of human history.
So, like Dr. Sproul, I do commend this book to all of our listeners, and I'll let you know how you can get your own copy. But before we go, Dr. Nichols, how do you hope our listeners will use this book in their homes and with their families?
Well, I hope they recognize there is a story here to walk through the whole Christmas story and walk through the gospel. And so, I think that can be helpful. But you can also just dip in here. And there's quotes from the usual suspects: Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards, Spurgeon, Calvin, but there's also some lesser knowns in church history that just have wonderful, so gospel-filled reflections on Christmas. And so, I hope it just introduces you to some new people and just gives you some nuggets to be thinking about as you celebrate Christmas as a family.
For instance, John Milton, of course Paradise Lost, wrote a great poem called On the Morning of Christ's Nativity. Here's just a few lines, Nathan. This is the month and this the happy morn. Wherein the Son of Heaven's eternal King Of wedded maid and virgin mother born. Our great redemption from above did bring, For so the holy sages once did sing.
That he our deadly forfeit should release, And with his Father, work for us a perpetual peace.
So there's the classic poet Milton on Christmas.
Well, Dr. Nichols, thank you so much for stopping by the Renewing Your Mind studio today, and I look forward to reading peace with my family this Christmas. You're very welcome, Nathan. Thank you. If you would like a cloth-bound hardcover copy of Peace for your family or for a gift, you can request one when you donate today in support of Renewing Your Mind at renewingyourmind.org or when you call us at 800-435-4343.
Your support helps bring the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done for sinners to the nations through Renewing Your Mind and the global ministry of Ligonia. Yeah.
Well when Peace was first released, RC Sproll joined us in the Renewing Your Mind studio. And here's some of what he shared then.
Sometimes they describe certain types of books as coffee table books, and I think of this in that regard: it's a book that compiles. brilliant vignettes, of insight of the beauty. of the birth of our Lord. And you can take this book. and read one page a day.
and meditate on it as it directs our thinking to this or that aspect of the Incarnation. We've said that the celebration of Christmas is not so much about the delivery of a baby, but rather the celebration of the Incarnation of God. And I think that high and holy moment in history that God provides for us in the nativity of Jesus. Is really captured in this book. It's liturgical, it's lyrical, it's inspirational, it's all of those things as we read through it.
Let me just take a moment to read a portion of that so that people can hear. the lyrical poetry. that the Lord has used from people meditating on this in church history. Chrysesome says, how shall I describe this birth for you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment.
The ancient of days. has become an infant.
Now, we could quibble on that theologically. I think it's in the Logos who became it anyway. He who sits upon the sublime and heavenly throne.
Now lies in a manger. And he who cannot be touched, who is simple, without complexity and incorporeal, now lies subject to the hands of men. He who has broken the bonds of sinners is now bound. by an infant's band But he has decreed that that ignominy shall become honour. Infamy shall be clothed with glory.
and total humiliation. be the measure of his goodness. For this he assumed my body, that I may become capable of his word. Taking my flesh, he gives me his spirit. And so he bestowing and I receiving, He prepares me for the treasure of life.
And this is the way he speaks, and these are the way all these quotes resound throughout this manuscript. I mean this is Beautiful, beautiful stuff. This beautifully crafted heirloom book, Peace, Classic Readings for Christmas, can be yours today only when you give a gift to help expand the reach of Renewing Your Mind at Renewing Your Mind. org. You can also call us at 800-435-4343 to donate or use the link in the podcast show notes.
This offer is while supplies last and ends at midnight tonight.
So don't delay. And if you live outside of the US and Canada, there is an e-book edition waiting for you at renewingyourmind.org/slash global. and the e-book edition retains the beautiful interior and typography.
So respond today and make reading peace part of your family tradition. Roman Catholics speak about Mary often, but for Protestants, to discuss Mary can sometimes be viewed as suspicious.
So what does the Bible say about Mary? And what will we miss if we neglect her godly example that's recorded for us in Scripture? Join us the rest of the week as RC Sprol considers Mary. That's beginning tomorrow, here on Renewing Your Mind.
