Christmas is almost here. For some, the turn of the calendar creates considerable stress–cards to mail, shopping to do, gifts to wrap, cookies to bake, endless functions to attend, and on and on.
This year, Christmas Day falls on Sunday. Amazingly, I have heard some complaints. Some even suggest church services be cancelled that day so people can enjoy the morning with their families. Really?
The first Christmas, a decree went out from Caesar, the most powerful government leader of that time, requiring the entire Roman world to return to their own towns to be registered. The demand created a lot of activity. Hustle and bustle. Crowded cities. Full inns.
Meanwhile, a miracle unfolded. While most were focused on the busy-ness, God sent His Son, Jesus, into a world that desperately needed hope. He came quietly. He was born in a stable because there was no room in the inn.
An angel appeared to a few shepherds. Maybe because they weren’t caught up in all the hubbub, they were available to what God revealed. But when they saw the angel and the glory of the Lord shone around them, they were filled with great fear. And the angel said, “Fear not, for behold , I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. Luke 2:9-18 ESV
Something wonderful had happened–more wonderful than anything that had ever happened before. Light came into a dark world. God came in the flesh, to rescue us out of the darkness. He came to restore the relationship that sin had broken. Yet many people missed it because they were focused on other things.
This Christmas, what if we pause from all the activity and redirect our thoughts? There was no room in the inn, but we can make room in our hearts. Let’s remember why we celebrate. Immanuel–God with us. He deserves our honor every moment of every day. Don’t miss the wonder of it.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. . . But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. . . . John 1:9-14 ESV
Blessings,
Phyllis
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Copyright 2022 Phyllis L. Farringer
Very good
You are so right,
Let’s remember why we celebrate.
Thank you!
Thank you, Debby
Phyllis, you are so right, Jesus deserves to be honored every hour of the day. And at Christmas there is special buoyancy in our spirits when we focus on Him. John 1:9-14 (ESV) is wonderful to read often during Advent. Try other translations. I like the newly released translation with its easy-to-read layout: The Readable Bible.
Thank you, Charlotte