Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
I saw a sign on a marquee today: The gift of Christmas isn’t found in the mall. Although we know Jesus can’t be contained in gift exchanges, traditions, or Christmas Eve services, it’s easy to miss the depth, breadth and extent of the power of Christmas.
Imagine…
Seeing in Mary’s yieldedness, our own opportunities to respond to the Holy Spirit when he whispers our name. “Let it be with me just as you say” (Luke 1:38).
Seeing in Joseph’s willingness to accept logic-defying truth, a challenge to let go of our own life-crushing defensiveness. “But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit’” (Matthew 1:20).
Seeing in the shepherds’ reaction to the angelic proclamation a renewed mindset to abandon our own “fields” to find the only “field” that matters. “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger” (Luke 2:16).
Seeing in the wise men who “traveled afar” in search of the King of kings, to align ourselves more with God’s wisdom than man’s. “Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him’” (Matthew 2:1-2).
And finally, seeing in Jesus’ birth the shocking triumph of humility. “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” (Luke 2:7).
The Christmas story of God’s love never gets old. Let’s pause to let it soak in. We might just rediscover the good news of great joy is for you and for me. Today.
Merry Christmas, friend!