Making Room for the Awe of the Story

Merry Christmas!

Today, among the gifts, the gatherings, the cooking, the wrapping paper shreds and discarded bows, allow your heart to be opened to the wonder of the Christmas Story. Oh my friend, don’t let the familiarity of it all and the weighty worries of a grown up heart steal the mystique of this historical moment that the Prophet Isaiah prophesied hundreds of years before.

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” (Isaiah 9:2)

This is our story. We were born into a land of deep darkness, so Love came to rescue us in the form of a fragile baby. What an unlikely plan. God’s greatest gifts so often come from the unexpected.

Jesus, born into earthly time, reached across the dark abysmal chasm of our perpetual brokenness and sin that hopelessly separated us from our Father. He became the sacrificial bridge that changed our eternal destiny.

The angels joyfully proclaimed the good news: the Savior had come bringing light, hope, peace, and salvation to all who would believe. He came to dwell among us and change the landscape of our hearts.

The invitation is for everyone…

Jesus was carried in the womb of Mary, an unknown, unmarried, young woman of no status. He understands the rejection that comes from misunderstood circumstances. He risked reputation and acceptance with the religious class for his unconventional ways and compassion for the belittled, the wounded, the wandering, the unloved, the sick, and the sinner.

He came to break the molds of religion that bind and wrongly shape our perspectives, keeping us from knowing Him.

Jesus was born in a lowly stable, an unlikely place for a king to be born. Poverty was no stranger to him. The good news was announced to the lowly shepherds, and a new star was revealed to the educated wise men, which led them to the Christ child. Jesus came for the down and out and the up and out because lost is lost. Broken is broken.

We desperately need His light to pierce the darkness that casts caliginous shadows of adversity over our lives.

He has come for us, and His presence is our everyday Christmas gift.

So, my friend, in the quiet of your own heart, would you be willing to ask yourself these questions on this holy day and in the days to follow, “Will the footprints I leave on the dusty troubled soil of earth lead others to Christ? Will I be a beacon of His light to a world desperately searching for truth and light? Will I be faithful to share the good news that was proclaimed so long ago and entrusted to my heart to share?”

Prayer:  Jesus, today we celebrate your birth with a renewed sense of awe and a hopeful expectation for the year to come. Happy Birthday, Jesus, the long awaited King, Messiah, Savior of the World. You are the One who saves and guides us safely home.  Thank you, for that is good news.

Word of the Day:

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” (Luke 2:10-11)

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