Some folks can’t wait to take down everything ...
Christmas decorations, that is.
I don’t mind if they stay up ’til New Year’s!
Christmas seems to snowball, going faster and faster as the date draws nearer and nearer! Suddenly, in a flash of Christmas wrapping paper, strewn ribbons, delicious snacks, sausage balls, ham sandwiches, tree lights, laughter and loud talk from excited family — it is done.
Or is it?
For Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus, a journey began. A journey of joy and pain, surprise and understanding, growth and death — along with resurrection and leave taking. Love, faith, confusion, growth, miracles and heartbreak — all parts of life are woven through their story.
What will we do now? We carefully pack away delicate decorations. Take the tree down and put it in its box. Wrap the nativity and put it away. Absorb the Christmas gifts into our belongings. And we go about our business as we enter a new year.
Do we pack away Jesus from our continuing lives?
I pray we don’t.
Do we leave Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the World, in the manger as a tiny infant?
I pray we don’t
Do we leave Him on the cross in agony and pain of dying?
I pray we don’t.
The story of Baby Jesus continues with the surprising visit of the Wise Men, danger, plots to kill Him, and a rushed trip to Egypt to hide and find safety.
We see the Wise Men who traveled a long way to find this baby arrive. They had seen a star in the East and they followed it until “it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” (Matthew 2:9-10)
Reactions to Jesus varied all through His earthly life. Some wanting to kill Him, like Herod, who did not want this infant king to live.
An angel told Joseph in a dream to “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” (Matthew 2:13)
Joy, worship, giving of treasure.
Fear, hate, plans of destruction.
The Wise Men and their reactions to Christ’s birth, and Herod and his reaction to the same birth.
Each person has to make up his or her mind about who Jesus is. Is He Savior of the world who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our, mankind’s, sin? Is He the Way to Salvation through His sacrifice and grace to us to offer us forgiveness as a free gift?
Does our faith, belief, trust, relationship with Him, reach up to accept His forgiveness as we make the decision to turn from sin and follow Him?
I pray each one will let Jesus enter your heart, life and soul as your Savior and Lord this Christmas!
Experience the miracle of rebirth.
