Don't Miss Christmas
True story! I checked my calendar this morning and just about had an anxiety attack. Seriously! I wasn’t just checking the calendar, I was adding things to an already FULL couple of weeks.
Have you ever noticed that the “most wonderful time of the year” also feels like the busiest, most hectic, and rushed time of year?
Not much has changed in the last 2000 years. Sure, we have things like electric cars, social media, and can watch the latest Star Wars movie in ultra high definition 3D with the ‘feel it in your bones’ surround-sound, but overall our lives are really not that different than they were on the very first Christmas.
Just read Luke 2:1-7.
Caesar Augustus has issued a census. It was mandatory that people travel to their hometowns and register. Whether you liked it or not, you were packing up and doing some traveling. People were heading home, not because they wanted to, but because they had to, and to make matters worse, there was a tax involved.
Joseph, and his very pregnant fiance make their way to Bethlehem, like so many others to register and pay their tax. When they arrive, Bethlehem was packed. The streets were filled with people, the restaurants had no reservation due to the influx of travelers, and all the hotels and inns were full. People who lived and worked in Bethlehem were now working overtime.
And yet, in the midst of the busyness, something miraculous was about to happen. After finding a place to stay, in the manger, Mary gives birth to Jesus.
I love the way the angles announce it to the shepherds in the field in Luke 2:10-12:
“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. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
The Messiah is born.
Immanuel, God is with us.
Light has broken into the darkness.
Salvation and joy are now possible.
One of the greatest events in all of human history has just taken place, and so many people missed it. There were signs, indicators, prophecies, and yet so many people were so busy, so focused on themselves, that they missed it.
Don’t miss Christmas this year!
Sure, buy your loved ones a couple of gifts.
Yes, you should probably attend that family Christmas party, even if “Cousin Eddie” will be there.
Watch Christmas movies with your family, (our favorites are Elf, Home Alone 1 &2, and Polar Express.)
At the end of the day, Christmas is not about the tinsel, it is not about the eggnog, and it is not about a plump guy who breaks into your house and eats your cookies and takes the credit for the gifts you bought.
Christmas is about joy.
Christmas is about hope.
Christmas is about peace.
Believe it or not, Christmas is about rest.
Christmas is about Jesus.
So just like the song says, come and behold Him. Come and adore Him. Freinds, if we miss Jesus, we miss Christmas.
Take A Step:
How could you create some space in your daily schedule for you to discover who Jesus is and celebrate the meaning of Christmas?
Take some time and read Luke 2:1-20 today. Read it by yourself, or consider reading it with your family!
Encourage someone today, or take a minute and invite them to church with you this Sunday. The good news of great joy needs to be shared!
On the Journey with you!
Adam