Sometimes in life it is difficult to tell who is winning and who is losing.

Consider Joseph’s stint in slavery, the three Hebrews’ stroll in a fiery furnace, and our Lord’s own trial and crucifixion. Each of these events shouted defeat for God’s purposes, and yet each of these defeats became a doorway to a greater victory.

Sometimes defeated moments of extreme anti-climax are actually a tipping point.

From all natural perspectives the birth of Christ was the greatest anti-climax in human history.

• His entrance into the world was not with the splendor of a world ruler bent on global conquest.
• His arrival wasn’t marked by dignity and fanfare.
• No one would have peeked into the stable and thought, “Surely, a king has just been born!”
• Rather His nursery smelled like cow manure…His crib was a feeding trough…and His only nurse maids, shepherds.
• Everything about His birth was a giant anti-climax.

Yet in that disappointing moment something else was happening and all of heaven knew that the most glorious of victories had just been unleashed. Immanuel, God with us, had come near.

What looked like anti-climax was the tipping point for the universe.

Christmas reminds us that things aren’t always as they appear. Don’t be too quick to judge and label the defeated moments in your life. God might see them as portals to a greater victory.