Awaking at Christmas is different—there is quiet joy in awakening, a wonder that swirls within our hearts, and Hope is as high as one of the Alps. Christ the newborn King has been born to us! We have Believer’s reason to rejoice, give thanks, and leap out of bed into this special new day. It is His Birthday and all of heaven has been preparing. And we too have been getting ready. Can anything dissuade us from our inner joy?
Whatever the great burden (a child or relative that is ill, poverty or homelessness, loss of a good friend, anger related to personal disease, or anything) the Babe in the Manger has been born and is safely with us. His birth makes all the difference. We are not alone in all of this. He is Emmanuel—Jesus is God with us. We remember what the prophets of old said: A little child shall lead them. He surely does lead us into paths of right living. Jesus our Lord leads us to Love with HIs Love.
On that birth night, Mary and Joseph were in awe as they heard the angels beautifully sing off in the distance. Their ‘Glory to God’ song miraculously carried on the windless quiet night. Shepherds were near, not too far off, and they run to Bethlehem to see Jesus first. The angel has told them to go. Those faith filled shepherds searched Bethlehem excitedly for God’s Holy newborn Son.
Finding Him, beside the Holy manger, they lean in to experience Him. In His Presence is Jesus’ Love radiant! You and I know that Love He gives for we have found it too. And He later tells us how when Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 8:3)
With that childlike heart on Christmas morning He is our Guide. He takes us on a sure Pathway. With our Jesus is the assurance that we have something like Christmas each and every day. Jesus is with us. What true joy.
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In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” Luke 2:8-14