A Visit to Christmas

 

 

 

 It is December, the “most wonderful time of the year”, but the fuller the days get the more I wonder where all the “wonder” went. So tonight I sit down with the gospels, to read the story of Christmas again, to rediscover the wonder I lost somewhere between setting up my Nativity Scene and a second trip to the store to make cookies for a festivity I would rather not go to.

 

“and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

 

And how I need to be saved from my sins, my selfishness, my pride, my judgement, my complaint that I feel obligated to go to a get together where there will be more food per person than much of the world has per person to eat in a week.

 

I read on.

 

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Matthew 1:23

 

Suddenly in the loneliness of the night I realize I don’t need to feel lonely (which I sometimes do even in a room full of people) because God is with us, He is with me. God, the Creator and King of the Universe sent His Son to dwell with us, with me. He has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in us, in me. Heaven has come down, to share my most wonderful times and also my most difficult.

 

I keep reading.

 

“...behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’”  Matthew 2:1,2

 

Here I repent because I, who have not only seen the star but have come to know the King, do not make more room for worship. No one told the wise men they had to follow the star, they followed it because they were compelled to; they did not make the trip merely to see the King, but to worship Him.

 

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”  Matthew 2:10

 

That is what you do when you find something you know you do not deserve but you were sort of hoping you might get anyway. It is what you do when you are desperate for something, and then there it is, nearly in your lap. You rejoice……... exceedingly. There are many things I have been wanting lately, peace for my anxiety, assurance there is a place and a time where the good will not end, a promise I will get to be there. Interestingly that is what knowing the Christ of Christmas drops in my lap. Maybe the gift is not new, maybe Christ came into my heart and your heart many years ago; still, it is every bit as amazing as it was the instant He became Lord. It is time to rejoice, exceedingly.

 

“..and they fell down and worshiped him.” Matthew 2:11

 

I fall down many times a day, but not always in worship. What if, every time I came to the end of my resources, instead of falling into despair, or hopelessness, or bitterness, I fell down in worship. It would be a suitable thing to do for one who knows the God of Unlimited resources as a Father. It would be suitable for someone who knows the God who has numbered the stars as well as the hairs on top of the worried head.

 

“This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’” Matthew 2:15

 

“Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: A voice was heard in Ramah..”Matthew 2:18

 

“And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:23

 

As I read I remember that God has a plan, and He will fulfill it. His plan was to send a Savior, that we might be saved. No need to stress about the big things, or the small. May this be the most wonderful time of the year, not because our Christmas cookies turn out just right, but because the wonder of the greatest gift ever given, has returned to our hearts. It is indeed a most wonderful time of year.

 

 

"....and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us)."

 

                                                                                   Matthew 1:23 (ESV)