It is our human nature to move on to the next thing. As we begin cleaning up from Christmas, we realize that, although we have opened all the gifts and eaten all the food, it is now time to clean up and put it all away until next year. You could do that, but I would strongly encourage you to wait.
There is this Christmas song I love by Chris Tomlin and Lauren Daigle called “Noel.” The words go like this, “Noel, Noel. Come and see what God has done.” This is our invitation. As we slow down, we can embrace Christmas in all its glory, as God intended us to.
Now is our time to relish in the wonder of Christmas. I think about a father holding his newborn baby and I begin to understand the softness of life and the brightness of all that is.
Christmas isn’t over on December 26th. It has only just begun.
Isaiah 9:2-3 reads, “The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,…”
Noel, Noel. The story of amazing love, the light of the world given for us. Noel”
Verses 6-7 continue, “For unto us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.”
“For unto us a child is born.”
Babies have a way of lighting up our lives with unexplainable joy and happiness. Maybe it is because they are so pure and innocent. It only makes sense that God’s greatest gift would be given to us in the form of a newborn baby. The only way to handle a gift like this is by gently cradling it in your arms. I kind of think that is how God has always been holding me, gently cradled in His arms. Often, when we hear of a new birth, with joy and exultation, we want to come and see what God has done. Think of the shepherds when they heard the news on that night so long ago.
In Luke 2:8-21, we read,
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
“Noel, Noel. Come and see what God has done. Noel Noel the story if amazing love, the light of the world, given for us. Noel”
The shepherds received their invitation by way of heavenly hosts singing, “Glory to God in the Highest.” They responded with “Let’s go and see.”
And now, some 2000 years later, we are still celebrating the birth of the Christ child. The baby has been born, but Christmas isn’t over. We have heard the news. Now is the time to accept the invitation. Come and see what God has done for you and for me. How will you respond?
Let us pray,
Father God, thank you for giving us the greatest gift ever! May we respond by opening our hearts and receiving your gift of amazing love given for us all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
P.S. Leave me a comment and tell me how you plan to embrace Christmas. Forward this message to friend, share on Facebook and tag me in it. Join me back here next week and we learn what it means to adore him. -M
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Come and see what God has done! Amen!