December 25th
HE is here!
After over 4,000 years of waiting, God came to us.
After over 400 years of silence, a baby cried.
After over 40 weeks of chaos and confusion, Joseph and Mary were speechless, staring into the eyes of Jesus.
Things have not changed that much.
Jesus’ birthday celebration is the busiest, most expensive, loudest, and most stressful, time of the year…every year!
If your year has been a year of waiting, crying, chaos, and confusion, maybe the key to it all is to follow the example of Joseph and Mary.
Stop everything.
And simply stare into the eyes of Jesus.
6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:6-20
Right now, stop what you’re doing and sit down by the light of the Christmas tree. Take it all in. Don’t fill the quiet with words. Let the silence happen. Breathe in the Truth of Christmas and exhale hope, joy, and awe. Then, pray a prayer like this:
Father in Heaven, Almighty God, Maker of Everything, and King of my heart, thank you for leaving behind the glory of your home to walk the dirty streets of my home. You didn’t have to come. But you came. For me. For us. And now, we have hope. Not a wish. But real hope. I know that just as surely as you came to my home on that first Christmas, you will one day come again. But it will be to take me to Your home. And I will be ready. Happy Birthday Jesus.