Are we wrapped up in everything Christmas but the birth of our precious world-saving Jesus? You see, had I written this before I was done with my Christmas shopping and implementation of work parties, it might've read something like this...
Freezing snow flew onto the seat of my car as I opened the door, frost-bitten hands threw heavy bags of presents onto the seat. Crowds flooded the parking lot, cars illuminated by amber lights prevented me from moving. Children screeched, stores were swarmed with busy people. You get the picture.
I watch my daughter look with excitement and pure wonder at the manger scene in our living room, giggling in delight as I point to Baby Jesus, and I covet her innocence. I want to see Christmas time in a new light. I want the sparkling snowflakes falling onto my blush nose to remind me why this season is so magical. I want to picture the miracle that happened that night with the same awe Leighton does when she sees the manger.
(Yes, she gave a dog bone as offering. But you gotta give her credit for the book- babies like those.)
.......
"We're almost there," Joseph said tenderly as he gently rubbed Mary's back. Her faithful smile revealed hopefulness through her weary breathing and heavy eyes. Joseph steadily pushed through the evening crowd surrounding the streets of little Bethlehem, leading his precious wife and her beautifully round belly on the family donkey. Mary suddenly reached over her side trying to ease the pain of yet another strong contraction, which told that the birth of her first child would soon happen. Joseph cleared a way up to the Inn where Mary and Joseph planned to stay. "What do you mean there's no room?" Asked Joseph fearfully. Knowing he needed to keep Mary and the baby calm, he let out a deep sigh and remained poised. He turned to his scared laboring wife with a strong confidence. "We'll just try the place down the road," he encouraged.
After another full house, and a second discouraging "no", the anxious and exhausted couple continued on. Finally, in the near distance, they could see a possibility. They gazed into each other's heavy eyes, praying this would be the end of their tiresome journey. An older gentleman picked up a lantern from the concrete porch; with keys in hand, he turned towards the old rusty door to go inside for the night. "Wait", Joseph loudly yelled. The old man started to shake his head when he caught a glimpse of Mary on the muddy donkey. "We need a place to stay," begged Joseph as they neared the porch.
"I'm really sorry", replied the man. "We just gave away our last room. I have no where to put you."
"Please", asked Joseph. By now his eyes were welled with frustrated tears. The man looked at Joseph and again at Mary, compassionately thinking of a way to help.
He held up the small lantern and motioned for the couple to follow. They curiously began walking where the man was leading through the subtle lighted path he created. The man placed his lantern on the ground in a bed of fresh straw. It's glow illuminated the wooden stable that sheltered a few small animals. Mary and Joseph looked at each other with relief, and then among the warmth of the shelter, stared up at the enormous bright star taking over the night sky.
Within hours, Joseph was squeezing Mary's shaking hand as she began to bring a perfect baby into a hurting world. Tears streamed down both of their faces when they held up baby Jesus as he let out his first subtle noise. They wrapped their most amazing gift in white swaddling clothes and laid him snug in the manger. Through the unexplainable silence that fell over the world, they praised God as they studied his perfect face...
.......
I can only imagine the extravagant party the angels threw that night up in Heaven; and I hope that our Christmas family get-togethers will echo the one they'll throw again tomorrow. I love Christmas. I love the beautiful decorations, the glistening snow, the laughter and love that abound. I just hope that I don't lose sight of what makes this time truly magical, and that's the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In my mind, the abundance of presents isn't always a bad thing. I can bet that Jesus absolutely loves watching his children light up with excitement as they all exchange gifts with one another. He humbly entered the world as our gift, and it humbly brings him joy watching everyone else open presents on His own Birthday. As long as we remember... It's all because of Him.
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