During the Christmas season, my absolute favorite thing is that the world slows down. News grows quiet; all the rush of shopping and baking gives way to our own “Silent Night”. When the visiting and Christmas Eve services are done, it’s time to just take a moment. There is great anticipation of gifts, friends, and rejoicing to be done… but how often do we take time to just sit still?
Pausing to remember the year behind us is good, but digging a bit deeper into the wonder of it all can be life-altering. As a Christian, I usually ponder the absolute ridiculousness that God chose to take on the human form and experience life in this fashion. He has formed our spirits to be like His, but our physical being was not something He didn’t have to experience. He chose to take all that upon Himself, to experience being born in a barn, crying and having dirty diapers, being entirely dependent upon a young mother, all while Jewish boys were being sought out and killed. He chose to live 33 years here for one reason – LOVE. He came to live life among us, to fulfill every prophecy about Him, and to reveal to us that God is Love.
I really can’t quite grasp that concept fully. It takes some time to ponder, wonder, and perhaps wander a little bit to experience the grandeur of Christmas. Make time in your schedule, look past the fact Christmas isn’t in the Bible but Hannukah is, overlook Jesus likely being born around summer, and please – set aside the commercial lure to shop. Celebrate with joyful noise, but also with some time in complete awe over the time. Christmas feels magical because God is love, and He delights in sharing and revealing that great love to us.
Do you take the time, make the space, and invite God to reveal that love to you? This isn’t about “getting saved” but an ongoing lifestyle. Whether in the wonder of Christmas or in the daily and ordinary moments of life, are you aware of His love for you no matter how ordinary or unbelievable your life may be? When you’ve spent time soaking in that thought, it’s time to also rejoice! That same unending love God has for you, that He came to reveal that to you long ago in a barn or just today in the kind words shared with you, He’s got that same adoration for your family or friends.
Get lost in the moment, but rejoice with each other too. Love covers over all things and wins hearts.
