Just another day… until… Luke Chapter 2:1-21

I joyfully remember every Christmas morning before the first present was opened dad would get out his well worn Bible and read Luke Chapter 2.  Yes, sometimes as kids we wanted dad to read FASTER, but now I wish He was here to read it just once more!  I have carried on the tradition with my own family to remind us of what Christmas is all about, to remind us that it was once just another day until…the Savior was born!

It was just an ordinary day (probably not December, 25 by the way.), the shepherds were doing their same old job, the inns were full due to the census and nothing was special about this day in Bethlehem. No one had any idea that the world as they knew it was about to be changed forever. As the night drew on the Savior…Jesus…entered the world, which He had created, as human child. Angels appeared, a new star shown and many other miracles began on the first Christmas night. 

However, the Christmas story did not end with the baby Jesus in a manager. The first Christmas morning was the beginning of Jesus’ earthly Journey that would take us to the cross, the grave, and the empty tomb.  Standing alone the story of the babe in the manger is no great thing, nor is the cross triumphant. If it were not for the empty tomb; the resurrected Savior, then all of it would have simply just come to pass leaving us with just another day. 

This Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior I urge you to remember that the manger was not a destination (as many seem to forget) but merely a checkpoint of Jesus’ earthly journey. Do not worship the day, or even the celebration. Worship the Lord who humbly came down from His throne spent an earthly lifetime with His creation and gave His life so that they may spend an eternity with Him.

Merry Christmas!

Pray

Blessed Savior God, I thank You that You set aside Your throne in Heaven to come to the Earth that You created, to live, to love, and to suffer and die to pay the price for my sins.  Thank You that the manger was a beginning and not an end, that I worship not a babe in a manger but a resurrected King of Kings. Help me Lord to redeem the time and to use this season of Christmas celebration to share with those around me the love that You have for them.  The love that You proved with a manger, a cross, and an empty tomb.  In Your Holy Name Jesus I pray, Amen (YES!)