I really love this time of year! I am one of those people who could listen to Christmas music and enjoy the tree lit up all year long! The older I get, I still feel like a child at Christmas! I enjoy the Christmas spirit of those around me and I love spending time with family and friends. I love giving gifts, having “cookie day” with my mom and sisters, and spending hours watching every Christmas movie that was ever made. Yes, I really am a sap for those cheesy, romantic, Christmas movies! I love seeing the joy on my children’s faces as they open their gifts and snuggling with my husband by the beautifully lit tree as we listen to Christmas music. For me, it really is the most wonderful time of year!
But today, I sit here with only two weeks left before Christmas and my mind ponders the question, “What was going on in the minds of Mary and Joseph with only two weeks before the birth of their son, the Savior of the world?” Wow! They didn’t have the comfortable surroundings that most of us have before the births of our children. They were on bumpy, uncomfortable roads traveling 70 miles by donkey to a town to pay taxes. For me, at nine months pregnant, I wasn’t traveling 70 miles anywhere by luxury car much less on a donkey. But here they were, on the roads alone and I wonder what the conversation was like. Were they talking about what color to paint the baby’s room, or where they were going to send him to preschool? These are the questions most of us new parents were discussing, right? Oh, no, I cannot even imagine the conversation. Knowing that they were about to become parents of the Messiah had to be a somewhat overwhelming and humbling experience. Their thoughts were probably making sure that they were following God’s plan. Knowing that they were about to give birth to the One that would eventually die for them and all mankind. What a beautiful lesson in faith and trust. They weren’t concerned with having the perfect gifts for everyone, and that there were enough lights on the Christmas tree, or that they attended every Christmas party they were invited to, no, they were concerned with carrying out the will of God and making sure that the precious Gift to the world had a place to enter and carry out the will of his Father.
I don’t know about you, but this sure puts things in perspective for me! The Messiah made his entrance to this world in a lowly stable surrounded by animals in a non-hygienic manger. He didn’t have the royal entrance that he deserved but he came in humble surroundings and lived a amazing life serving his purpose that ultimately led him to Calvary nailed to a cross dying for you and me. But the best part of this story is that he rose again and is preparing a place for us in Glory with him!
So, I ask you, “With only two weeks till Christmas, where will you put your focus?” For me, making sure everything is perfect is not an option. It is about making sure that Christ is glorified and honored in the way he deserves. It is about remembering what happened that glorious day that Jesus was born and all he did for me following his birth. He came for me, he died for me, and he is coming back for me! Hallelujah! My thoughts are of making sure that I carry out the will of my Father, to have the faith and trust as Mary and Joseph, and that the real meaning of Christmas is shared with those around me!
Luke 2:1-20
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 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.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
The greatest story ever told is right here for us! May we take this beautiful story of love and share with those around us that they may have the hope that we do! This Christmas, make it your heart’s desire to focus on the real meaning of Christmas. That when Jesus came, there was hope and everything changed!
Celebrating HIS birth,
Allison
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