As I pause to reflect on this season, and God’s Gift to us -- His Son, I am impressed once again on the significance of that. “Immanuel”—God with us. He has made Himself available to “be with us”. It is easy to minimize that reality in our lives, to be so familiar with the concept that it no longer fills us with awe. “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” is an important reminder, but it too can become so overstated that it is just another slogan put on a mug or plaque. When our lives are comfortable and at relative peace, we don’t seem to “need” the Babe born in a humble stable; nor are we awed by the presence of this “King” lying in a manger.
On that first Christmas morn, the shepherds were filled with fright and awe by the host of heavenly angels singing about the Birth! It held the highest priority to them to go and see and worship this baby, this One who was “God with us”! Later, this same baby was visited by important and influential men (“kings”) from far away who were inspired to pursue and find this One, of whom prophecies spoke.
Do we make Him, and the worship of Him our highest priority? Do we diligently seek and pursue Him of whom much had been prophesied and (for all of us at this vantage point of time) in whom prophesies have been fulfilled? With heartfelt sadness, I regret I often do not; but thanks be to God for His GRACE! He knows our weakness, and through His Word shows us His promise of forgiveness and lovingkindness. He will give us His light to show us the way to Himself!! As the light of the heavenly host led the shepherds, and the guiding light of the star led the kings of the East to the Bethlehem stable, let us follow the light He will give us to seek and find Him. Let us worship and be in awe of this One, “God with us”, Immanuel!
It is He who will bring the blessing and peace and joy that is from above, even when our circumstances may seem far from that. During this Christmas, may we be filled with the awe and wonder of that amazing gift, Christ the LORD!
Wishing You a Blessed Christmas and Joyous New Year!