As
Christmas fast approaches and the hustle and bustle of shopping, baking,
planning and all the things needing to be taking care of can become overwhelming
as we try to prepare for the perfect Christmas.
Now
imagine yourself delivering your first child in a smelly, dirty barn with no
doctors or nurses, no bed, no sanitation facilities, not even running water. Your
husband is there ready to help in the
delivery.
“Does
he have a clue what to do?” you ask yourself. “For that matter, do I?
You
finally deliver your baby and thank God it was an easy delivery with no
complications. Exhausted,
you drift off to sleep when you are awakened by some smelly shepherds wanted to
see your baby. You wonder how they even knew there was a new born baby.
Then
the shepherds tell you a wonderful story of an angel telling them about your
baby. They called Him the Savior, the Christ, the Lord.
Then
the whole heaven filled with heavenly host praising God and saying “Glory to
God in the Highest and on earth, peace, and good will to all men.” (Luke 2:
8-11)
What
began with fear, changed to wonder, and suddenly peace filled the whole barn.
Having a baby in a barn doesn’t sound much like the perfect Christmas,
but it was God’s perfect plan.
As you go through this Christmas season and fear, frustration, anxiety
and exhaustion threaten to take over, I would like to encourage you to remember
why we celebrate Christmas. Take a deep breath and ask for the peace of God to
fill you anew. It did not begin with pretty ribbons and bows, lighted trees and
fancy gifts. It was this humble beginning that changed life forever for
believers.
To
quote an old phrase, “Jesus is the reason for the season.”
Rejoice! We have been given the best gift we could ever give or receive, the Son of God, Emmanuel; God
with us. Amen!
Blessings
on your day!
Karen
