Can you believe that in just 35 short days we will be back to the season that carries multiple meanings? That’s right…Christmas is ALMOST here. Ahhhh! I love me some Christmas season with the music, lights, Christmas tree with decorations, and sweets! I have been listening to Christmas music since Halloween! Most people thing I am crazy, but as you’ll see below — it simply directs my thoughts and hopes towards LIFE! The Life that I am promised through the baby Jesus that was born in the lowly manger. This time of year might mean a couple of different things to you…
1. The end of the year is here! That means you’ve survived, or hopefully impacted the world for another year! What did you do over the past 12 months that made a difference? Or what should you have done?
2. School is out for a month! For those of you college students who are desperate for a break from academics. You might be thankful for Christmas because you want a study break! Do you really think you deserve a break?
3. You’re ready to unwrap some gifts! What did you put on your Christmas Wish-List this year? I’m not going to lie – I do make a Wish-List ever Christmas. I don’t expect to get any or all of the things on it, because its not really what this time means to me. Is it fun? Oh yea! Does it make you all warm and fuzzy on the inside when someone special gives you something? Of course!
4. The True Meaning of the Season is JESUS CHRIST was born.
LUKE 2:1-20
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So 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. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
15When 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.”
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
I love this story for so many obvious reasons, but I also love to sing about this event in history.
Silent night, holy night
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ the Savior, is born!
Christ the Savior, is born!
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Or how about… O Holy Night…
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;
Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O holy night, O night divine.
or what about…What Child Is This?…
What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
So this season as you reflect on the past 12 months of your life I pray that you find yourself coming back to an understanding (possibly) or a deeper appreciation for the ‘reason for the season.’
