December 24, 2019
When We Finally Get to Bethlehem…
“Then all at once, a vast number of glorious angels appeared, the very armies of heaven! And they all praised God singing:
“Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven!
For there is Peace and a good Hope given to the sons of men.” Luke 2:13-14 TPT
The Christmas Dash—you know, those countdown days consisting of final preparations for our arrival at the destination of the journey on which we embarked weeks ago, (for some of us, months ago). The dash, connecting those enlightened moments of anticipation and expectation, in preparation for family gatherings and celebrations…shopping, wrapping and festive adorning of gifts…for grocery lists and long lines…for Christmas carols and hot chocolate…for Christmas Pageants, crooked angel halos, little scuffling boys and peppermint candy canes…for the family Christmas Tree displaying ornaments of the past Christmases and those reflecting the moments in which we now live…for The Nativity displays, lit by a single brilliant star…for coats, blankets, and food given to nourish and to warm a body and a soul…and for the candles lighting up the darkness of a Christmas Eve celebration…all preparing for and anticipating and expecting Christmas. The Christmas Dash connects the preparation and waiting to our arrival at our destination.
The celebration of the arrival of The King, our Messiah who God sent, to be born into the world, in a manger…to be born into our hearts and into our lives…
When We Finally Get to Bethlehem…
I realized today that we have something in common with Mary and Joseph…
They awaited the birth of their precious child. We wait and wait to celebrate His birth. We wait for His Return…
They embarked on a journey to Bethlehem, to the first Christmas. We embarked on a journey to celebrate this Christmas, centuries later…
They experienced the traffic and stress of pilgrims traveling to register for the census. And, we experience the traffic of pilgrims and shoppers traveling to live out the responsibilities of today…
They experienced the crowded village, filled to capacity with weary travelers. We experience the long lines and crowded market places…often filled to capacity and overflowing…
Mary and Joseph believed what the LORD proclaimed through His messengers. And, we believe what the LORD proclaims to us through His WORD…
When We Finally Get to Christmas…
On that first Christmas night, Jesus Christ was born…The Prince of Peace came into the crowded village, into the world of chaos and spiritual disorder…He came as the Redeemer, the Savior, the long-awaited Messiah…He came to save…He came as the Prince of Peace…And on that night…there was the calmness and the Peace of God Almighty…of God Himself, embodied in a tiny newborn child.
Oh my friends, we are waiting for Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus, The Messiah. We are waiting in the midst of crowded roadways and congested markets…in the midst of long lines and the weariness of work and of waiting…
When, the night of Christmas Eve finally arrives, the world begins to still in the face of the expectation and the anticipation… chaos and disorder are tamed as the Gift of Christmas makes its presence…its arrival into the world…
May the Peace and the Hope Mary and Joseph experienced on that first Christmas permeate your heart and your being…The Prince of Peace has come…and together, we celebrate His birth, His life, and His Love…
All is Calm…All is bright…and may you rest and sleep in heavenly Peace!
And may you…
Sing the Song of Christmas everyday of your life!
Merry Christmas!
Love you in Jesus,
