Christmas is the introduction of Jesus…
Luke 2:1-16In 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 their 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 guest room available for them.
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 that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, 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 heaven, and on earth peace to those 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.
As a child, Christmas was all about getting the presents. I can remember not being able to sleep. Waking up sooo early in the morning and my parents wanting me to go back to bed, yet they saw my excitement and got up because they love me (and probably my sister too?). These are great memories of Christmas for me.
Now I have to ask myself this question. Steve, if Christmas as a child was exciting because you knew you were getting presents… and now you know it’s about Jesus… Is Christmas still exciting? Or another question…what about Jesus is as exciting as when you were looking forward to getting presents?
I think my best answer to that came when my dad passed away in 2020. The peace and calm that came to me in knowing that my dad loved Jesus, and in an instant went from pain and suffering to the glory of the presence of God. From pain to the presence of Jesus.
The birth of Jesus marked his arrival on earth. My dad’s passing marked his arrival in heaven. This truly brings me a joy that I do not fully understand, and it even kind of makes me excited for what he has experienced… and what one day I will experience… an introduction to Jesus.