December 2, 2013 - Christmas Throughts

 

December 2, 2013 – Christmas Thoughts

This morning, I began reading through the gospels highlighting the birth of Jesus, the Christ. I am truly thankful to focus on Jesus, the reason for the Christmas season. Isn’t that good news? From the New King James Version, Luke 2 reads:

¹And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. ³ So all went to be registered everyone to his own city.

⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife who was with child. ⁶ So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Glory in the Highest

⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

¹⁵ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

For December, which has just begun, I wrote “grace and glory this month in preparation for 2014.” I thought of a portion of a verse in Psalm 84:11 which says that “The Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

The wonder of the Christmas season for me is the joy found in my relationship with Jesus Christ.   As my eyes and heart keep watch and focus on Jesus, He is made known to me more intimately; with His grace and in His glory. Wow – no good thing has He withheld from me.  Even as the shepherds declared “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men - Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us,” I personally marvel that I can do the same thing in the 21st century.  The old song, “Go, tell it on the mountain” is still a chorus many sing today that heralds the Savior’s birth in timeless measure. And the voices of Christians around the world can still join together in freedom as they fall on their knees to celebrate and declare He is Lord and Savior.  Because I am able to see spiritually, I am also able to join the multitudes who give glory to the name of Jesus/God in the highest and on earth.

I am reminded the season is not about being overwhelmed with the decorating, the baking of cookies, running errands, wrapping and exchanging gifts – but being thankful for the eternal gift of Jesus the Christ.  Galatians 2:20 (NRSV) states, “The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  I love to join my Christian brothers and sisters across the world as we together see “this thing that came to pass many years ago.” I believe in the soon coming reign of this babe born long ago, who died for sinners, and was resurrected King of Kings.  Oh the joy I find in praise and worship of Jesus the Christ in this Christmas season.  Keeping my eyes and heart FOCUSED!  Christ is the Lord!