Formation has occurred. Waiting has come with anticipation. Lines are formed, people are rushing along, children are waiting for that great night when Santa pops in with gifts and families are making plans…
Christmas is coming!
We become quite involved in Christmas activities. Parties and pastry’s, dressing up and doing the meeting and greeting. Checking off the list as we buy one thing after another; clicking the links as we head toward the site to purchase things and have it delivered to the door. Rushing along with the crowds of a store, waiting in long lines and spending money we do have for things we do not need…
Marching toward Christmas Day!
As we await that festive day, celebrating in various ways, wrapping present after present, let us not get sidetracked with the commercialization of the day fast approaching and forget the real meaning of the day, the time, the season.
For the scripture reminds us:
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the lodging place.
In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. After seeing ⌊them⌋, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.
Luke 2:1-20 (HCSB)
Remember, this Christmas that Jesus came to us to “save His people from their sin.” This baby born in a real city, as a real moment in time, for a real reason is the Son of God (John 1) who comes to be our Savior. He is the Messiah, the “anointed One,” the Lamb of God who takes my place and your place, paying a debt you and I could not pay. He was born in a manger; born to die!
He was the gift and the gift comes to require us to praise and glorify His purpose. A Son, a sacrifice, and a Savior.
Let us adore Him!
JWF