Photograph Credit: Flickr (Ewan Traveler)
Did you hurry and scurry this week to get ready for today? I did. With help, we cleaned the house, worked on laundry, finished the shopping, looked at Christmas lights, wrapped the presents, did more laundry, baked cookies, attended Christmas events, prepared the reindeer food, and still working on laundry.
In all the bustle, I was not finding peace and joy in the sibling quarrels, the constant chatter, or the work at hand. Not because peace and joy could not be found, but because I was too busy to stop and enjoy the process. I focus too much on the task at hand when Christmas is not about the doing but rather about the giving.
Entering into this Christmas Day and reflecting on what Christ gave, I stop amazed. Giving up the glories of heaven, He was placed in a dirty manger that no mother would choose for her newborn baby. Though manger scenes display the baby all snug in the straw, the reality is that straw and hay are not comfortable – even for a baby. Yet, He allowed the barn atmosphere to be his first home with pokey straw and smelly animals.
As my children are snug in their comfortable beds in a heated home and dreaming of the gifts under the tree, I am blessed because of Christ’s gift – Himself. As Isaiah prophesied, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 ESV).
God sent His only Son, Jesus, to a dirty stable in lowly Bethlehem. He entered this world for you and me. May you find the peace and joy of Christmas from the gift of Jesus Christ. This greatest gift is better than any possession you will find under the Christmas tree this morning. All the hustle and bustle items will fade away, but Jesus is eternal life, joy, and peace.
Wishing you a Christmas filled with peace and joy because of God’s gift to us, Jesus Christ!