Amazed by Christmas

We are into the annual, and so very special, season of the year called “Christmas”.  I love this time for a host of reasons; but especially for the birth of the holy, majestic, glorious God in flesh.  He came so to die in order to rescue me from the death that is daily bearing down on me (like the damsel tied on the track with #93 getting close).

There is the sovereign God moving the great Roman Caesar to fulfill His will, which was that Jesus be born in Bethlehem, not Jerusalem, Capernaum or Nazareth.  Mary was pregnant and not too interested in traveling, at least before the birth but an edict from the despot Augustus left her no choice.  God’s will fulfilled!

The angels – that angel – what a mission!  That angel got to announce to God’s crown of creation, mankind, that their “Boss” had just been born as a human!  What an assignment to announce that the long-promised and long-requested Savior had finally arrived!  And there were the angels who appeared to be beyond excited about God’s plan to redeem a people for Himself which was finally revealed – suddenly a host of heavenly beings praising God!

And then Simeon who had waited and waited believing the promised Messiah was soon to be born and at just the right time he arrived at the temple when the Promise arrived carried by Mary or Joseph.  Unbelievable timing except that God was in the middle of it all!

Then, what about those wise men noting the star in the east and one remembering a verse from the Hebrew Bible that possibly Daniel had brought with him when taken into captivity which now resided in their library.  A star – so what?  It announced a King and it meant a delegation needed to go to formally welcome the Child (Numbers 24:17).  So, they gathered gifts, equipment and security and launched into the desert for a 500 mile or greater trek to Jerusalem in order to honor this new born royalty.

What a story!  What a great script by God to bring together people and events to introduce Himself to mankind in order to DIE!
And it was and is about me!  That is, God was coming to pay my debt in order to make me adoptable and thus His!  WOW!  I mean, the story in and of itself is a WOW – but it is a double WOW as it is so personal!

So, this Christmastide, as in all, is a huge reminder of a most marvelous, powerful and personal story for all men, but specifically for me – for ME!

Therefore, don’t get sidetracked by lights, foods, trees, gifts, family, music and the like…  Wait!  No!  DO get sidetracked!

Do get sidetracked by the lights (the glory seen by shepherds – the star seen in the east).
Do get sidetracked by food – Jesus is the bread of life.
Do get sidetracked by a tree for it was on a tree that Jesus was impaled to die for others!
Do get sidetracked with the gifts – the gift of God to man – the gift of salvation.
Do get sidetracked with family – His family!  Those who have also embraced Him as their Savior.
Do get sidetracked with the music – the music of Heaven shouting glories to God!
Do get sidetracked by the season’s busyness – be daily busy reading and pondering His story found in the Bible.
Do get sidetracked by special church services – they took Jesus to the temple at 40 days old.
Do get sidetracked by strangers – shepherds – by those hearing of the birth and seeking info.
Do get sidetracked by “No room” – that there is too much going on to give Jesus a rightful place.
Do get sidetracked with a manger – there are those around in poverty who need basics.
Do get sidetracked by angels – not the figurines or ornaments, but those heralds of God’s truth and glory!

Do get amazed again, afresh or deeper with the wonder of God’s masterpiece – Christmas!