There are two sides to every story. At least that’s what I’ve always heard. Indeed, if you only hear one person or one account you are only hearing things in part. The same principle applies to our perspective.
Imagine only seeing part of yourself or others. (For some of you that might be a relief! Especially if you were given the choice of which part you or others could see). But really, what if you could never see your right side, or your left side, or your front or back? What if you could never look at people’s faces, or they could never look at yours? Similarly, what if only a part of our nature, character, and personal attributes were revealed? As tempting as this may seem to some who wish to hide their flaws, we would be robbed of things like intimacy and true love which come out of being transparent and vulnerable.
The point is that we are more than one, or even two-dimensional creatures. To be known in part is to not be truly known.
To illustrate, let me share an experience I had this summer while on vacation with my family. One of our destinations was a well-known science center that featured numerous interactive displays and activities. One such was a small octagonal “room” with the interior lined in floor-to-ceiling mirrors on all sides. This caught my children’s eyes and they immediately pulled me in to experience its memorizing effect. 
As I stood in the middle, my mind could hardly process the overload of information entering through my eyes. I was seeing myself from nearly every angle all at once! And not just one of me but an infinite number of me! I began to feel somewhat insecure and disoriented. It was too much to take in but it made a powerful impression of just how limited my normal view of myself and others can be.
Unfortunately, we often characterize ourselves in one-dimensional terms. Misinformed by personal perception, we compose our own image, or that of others, using only notes found in the familiar key of our culture or upbringing. Furthermore, we often apply this same reckless miss-characterization to God! We teeter-totter on the edge of idolatry as we diminish God’s image into something framed more by our mere opinion rather than out of His revelation of Himself.
Take, for example, the nativity scene. The traditional picture includes a serene audience of docile animals on fresh hay gathered around the Christ child who is all aglow. Mary kneels in perfect attire while Joseph stands with his head lowered and turned as if posed for the perfect family portrait. The shepherds are also there; ordered as if they’ve rehearsed this event a thousand times and bowed in perfect adoration as the Christ child lifts His hands towards Heaven. Even the magi, who’ve somehow expedited their journey, are by His side as if they’ve bypassed the Biblical account entirely.
Before you think of me as being too critical of this portrayal, I must confess that I often well up with worship and wonder when I see it. It stirs me to consider the profound meaning and impact of this moment of history, not only for them, but for me! However, for many years of my life I only considered one side of the picture.
You see, until recently, I always pondered the scene from an earthly perspective. I’ve contemplated God’s choice of earthly parents, the first honored guests, the humble estate and divine timing of God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. The thought of beholding the very face of God has captured my heart and my mind’s eye many times from an early age. Granted, our Heavenly Father revealing Himself in human form is worthy of infinite worship and adoration, but this is only part of the picture.
Which leads me to think about the other side: what about the view from God’s perspective? Equally as glorious is the viewpoint this baby in a manger gives to God! The nativity, you see, is not only a picture of us seeing God, but God seeing us!
Read what Scripture says about the scene from God’s perspective as recited by Mary before Jesus’ birth:
48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. Luke 1:48
The Greek word for “regarded” according to Strong’s New Testament Greek Dictionary means “to gaze at”. While Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds gazed upon the face of God, God was gazing upon theirs! And not just theirs but ours!
Jesus Christ, you see, was not only God’s perfect representation to man, but man’s perfect representation to God.
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:19
When I encounter someone who has a perspective about God that is, unfounded, uncertain, or unbiblical, I encourage them to take another look at Jesus Christ. Likewise, when I speak with someone who has a perspective about themselves that is unbiblical, uncertain, or untrue, I remind them to look at Him.
Jesus is not only the perfect image of God for our eyes to behold, but the perfect image of us that God’s eyes have beheld! Just as faith allowed those gathered around the manger to receive God’s only begotten Son on earth, faith allows God to welcome us as His children in Heaven. In other words, believing in Jesus Christ is not only believing who God is in Him, but who we are in Him.
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him . 2 Cor 5:20-21 NKJV (emphasis added)
That, my friend, is the other side of Christ! Through His sacrifice, God can gaze upon us with the same favor, love, and affection that have fixed our soul’s gaze upon Him.
The other side of the Christmas story is what it says about us!
Have you heard it? Do you believe it? My prayer is that God reveals both sides to you this Christmas, and always.
Such as I have I give,
In Jesus’ name
