What is your house like Christmas day? With four children our house is full of energy. The kids wake up way too early, and the noise level raises significantly once they begin to open up their gifts. After that, we have our traditional breakfast with our neighbor Clint. There is so much expectation leading up to that day and seeing the kids faces when they open their gifts makes it all worthwhile. On the first Christmas day, there was a lot of excitement and activity as the savior of the world was born.
Luke 2:16-20
And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Humble Beginnings
On the first Christmas day, a baby was born in humble beginnings but not too far off some shepherds were getting a concert by heaven’s choir. The promised Savior had just been born in Bethlehem. They hurried to find Jesus lying in a manger. As soon as they left, they started telling everyone in Bethlehem who would listen. This created a stir among the locals and for Mary to treasure all of this in her heart.
The Greatest Joy
If our Christmas isn’t focused on Jesus, there is going to be a part of us that is empty. If we make it all about the gifts and don’t worship the True Gift, then it will make everything else seem laborious. Christmas day is a time to give each other gifts to symbolize the gift that God gave us, his Son coming to earth in human flesh. This gift should bring us the greatest joy.
A Piece of Heaven
When the shepherds returned to their flocks, they worshipped the God Almighty. They were given a piece of Heaven and an encounter with the Messiah. When we worship Jesus, we enter the presence of God and Jesus is glorified in our lives. Go tell somebody about what Jesus has done in your life. Invite them to your Christmas Eve services at your church. Let them encounter the Son.