Its Christmas Eve and I love it!! I am sitting here writing this beside one of the many Christmas trees at our house while I drink coffee from my Mickey Mouse Christmas mug filled with the special Christmas blend coffee from a certain coffee place.
I guess I get my love of Christmas from my parents, both made it special for Mark and me. Then, when Courtney and I got married, she took it to a “whole nother level!”
Here it is now. It is Christmas Eve. One day away from when we celebrate what Christmas is truly all about – the Birth of a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Jesus was born, born to die. Born to take away our sins!! Therefore, the angels were singing on that night, it was good news then and it is good news now!
That is why the shepherds made their way to see what it was all about and came away rejoicing themselves after seeing the Christ child. That is why Wise Men came from the east traveling months if not for a year just to have an opportunity to bow at His feet.
That is why we as followers of Christ seek to desperately keep Christ in Christmas in our hearts, in our homes and how we live our life each day.
But not everybody sees Christmas the same and not everybody rejoices. It was that way on the first Christmas, and it is that way today. For instance, in Matthew 2 there are three responses to Jesus being born. Three very different ways to see Christmas then and even now.
We see the Wise men and all they wanted to do was worship Jesus. We see Herod and all he wanted to do was kill Jesus. Lastly, we see the scribes, they knew the truth but were unmoved and apathetic to the birth of a king.
We see it today the same way.
1) For some, they are just mad at Christmas and mad at Jesus like Herod was. They protest saying Merry Christmas, they fight about nativity and songs about Jesus. For those who do not know Jesus all they know is anger toward the Christ child. And in their anger – they miss the hope, the joy, the overwhelming peace that Jesus brings. They know nothing of the good news that could be theirs if they would only turn to Jesus. But, sadly, today, many will miss Christmas because of anger and unbelief.
2) I think the second group is the saddest. Like the scribes who knew exactly where Jesus would be born and that by all accounts had been born, could care less. They had become apathetic and unmoved by the truth. We live in an area of the country where most folks know enough of the truth to know that Christmas is about Jesus being born. But that truth no longer moves them, stirs them or even crosses their minds today. They have lost their joy, their passion and for many have known the truth but not known the Savior. They will go thru the motions of Christmas all the while, just like the scribes, miss Christmas and all that it means.
3) The last group is where I want to live. The wise men. They had a heart set on worshiping the king. They would not be deterred or sidetracked. They had fixed their eyes on the star knowing it would lead them to the King of Kings. And once they got there, they were so overcome with emotion they fell at His feet, they worshiped Him, and they gave Him gifts worthy of a king. They saw with eyes of faith that this Child was worthy of their praise. They did not miss Christmas at all! Which brought about great joy.
May we be like the Wise Men. Let’s not miss Christmas today. During the traveling, cooking and wrapping and get togethers, take some time today to worship our Savior.
How can we do that? For some it might be going to a Christmas Eve service, doing a birthday party for Jesus with your kids, reading the Christmas story as a family or simply pausing, praying and read the account for yourself. Even as you give gifts and spend time with loved ones, be mindful of the One who made it all possible.
And let us not lose the awe of it all. Let us not lose the fact that Jesus would leave the splendor of Glory to come and be born of a virgin and laid down in a feeding trough. For Jesus He was born in a borrowed cave and when He died, He was laid in a borrowed cave/tomb. He who was rich became poor for us that we might be made rich in Him. Praise His name!
Let’s not be Herod or the scribes, let’s not miss Christmas today. Enjoy this day and Christmas day, because when we take time to see it, we realize the good news the angels sang about is true, we do have a savior. Which brings joy and peace. All because of Jesus.
May the Lord bless you and your family this Christmas.
Pastor Michael
P.S.
Can I just say in a personal note, thank you to all who take time to read my ciphering’s and ramblings? I am humbled and grateful. I pray in some way as I share what God gives to me, it helps point you to the one who is able, our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. May He be glorified and magnified in us all.
May the Lord bless you and keep you!!
centerbcpastor 