Read: Luke 1:26-55 and 2:8-38
I love Christmas! My earliest remembrances are of a season enveloped in love and laughter, kindness and caring, giving and goodness. I have often wondered what makes this holiday so much more different from any of the others. I don’t feel this way on Valentine’s or Independence Days. Neither Memorial nor Presidents’ Days evoke an equivalent response from me. As a matter of fact, not even the Easter season draws the same level of warmth, sharing, or giving from my heart as Christmas. What makes the difference? As I pondered the answer to this question, I went back to look at the original Christmas. It was there that I saw afresh the source of it all.
The first Christmas was filled with anticipation, joy, and praise. It began with Mary as she surrendered her “self” to the will of God. “I am the Lord’s handmaiden,” she said, “be it unto me even as you have spoken.” It spilled over to Elizabeth, whose child leapt in the presence of the King. God’s confirmation to Mary caused a song of praise to issue forth from her lips: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
The anticipation and joy of the Christmas season continued as key players were put into place. Mary and Joseph had to be moved from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The “Preparer of the Way” had to be born; a star needed to be positioned at the proper location to be seen at the appointed time by the right people; rooms had to be filled in Bethlehem to steer the expecting parents to the ordained birthing place—a humble stable.
Then, finally, the long awaited moment arrived. The King of kings was born! With His appearance, more joy erupted. Angels announced His birth, giving glory to God. The recipients of the news, lowly shepherds, rejoiced, praising God for all that they had heard and seen. Days later, Simeon praised the Lord for allowing him to see and hold in his arms the promised Savior. Anna, the prophetess, gave thanks to God for the blessed child.
The spirit of the first Christmas is what makes the difference. Its anticipation and joy are rekindled each year as we remember our Savior’s birth and wait expectantly for His return as King. Jesus is the only reason for the season. Remove the celebration of Him, remove the mention of His name, or forget the glorious gift of His coming, and the Christmas season loses all its wonder and joy. It is not the presents, the fellowship, or the festivities. It is not decorations, parades or Santa. It is not in childhood memories or in glowing salutations. No, none of these make Christmas a special season . It is Christ and Him alone!
While by the sheep we watched at night, glad tidings brought an angel bright.
There shall be born so He did say, in Bethlehem a Child today.
There shall the Child lie in a stall, this Child who shall redeem us all.
This gift of God we’ll cherish well, that ever joy our hearts shall fill.
How great our joy,
Joy, joy, joy,
Praise we the Lord in Heaven on high,
PRAISE WE THE LORD IN HEAVEN ON HIGH!(“How Great Our Joy,” a traditional German carol)
Prayer
Lord, thank You for reminding me each Christmas of Your Sovereignty. Every event of this special season was divinely arranged and then fulfilled in Your timing and according to Your eternal order. May I never forget that YOU are what make this season a time of sheer joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
