Christmas

This morning is the first day of December.  I found myself unable to sleep but today that is okay.  There is something mysterious and wonderous about the darkness to me as Christ's birth approaches.  I feel a beauty and a sacredness in the solitude of the night.  It seems at these times, that I can see that little stable so long ago much clearer, without the busyness of the day and the brightness to illuminate my present surroundings.

I can imagine myself standing on the hills of Bethlehem 2000 years ago.  I can almost feel the chill of the night in the air.  I hear myself breathing as I gaze at the brilliant stars in the night sky.  I imagine how vast the expanse of the heavens must be that stands between me and these twinkling stars.  What a gift the night is!  In the brightness of the day, we see the sun, so large and warm and it feels close.  We see the clouds that, at times, seem as though we could touch them.  The bright blue sky seems like a ceiling that covers us in our safe homes here on earth.  But at night, staring into the black expanse with lights twinkling in varying degrees, a depth is revealed to the sky that is impossible to perceive in the light.  God's greatness is laid out before us as we gaze into the heavens, out into space itself.

I join the shepherds in the night.  My heart is quieted in awe and the message of peace on earth seems to blanket the sleeping world.  Peace on earth, God's good will for men, wrapped up in the tiny figure in the manger.  Truly even the choirs of angels praising God could not do justice to the wonder of this small baby.  I cannot really conceive of the same God, Who is so vast above in the heavens, Who created all things and holds them in motion in the palm of His hand, that this God has limited Himself, contained Himself, in one small fragile, earthen vessel.  Jesus, Creator of all, became part of His creation.  He experienced every part of our existence; being a single cell in Mary's womb, being carried in His mother's womb, being born, being helpless and taken care of by others, learning to talk and walk, learning to obey and to serve as a child, suffering pain when He was injured, feeling sick at times, feeling hunger and thirst, grieving the loss of His father on earth Joseph, feeling responsible, having to wait for God's timing, rejoicing in good times, and struggling through hard times and finally, death.  That moment in time history was changed for all of mankind.  The impact transcended time.  It was a cross roads for humanity.  We had been going one direction and now, because of one man, we were turned.  Our new destination, our destiny if you will, for those who will receive Him, became eternal life and God Himself. 

What a great moment indeed!  A sacred, holy, magnificent moment in time was the moment that Christ was born.  When He breathed His first breath on this earth and made His first sounds, who would have guessed He was the Saviour of the world?  Who would have known that same voice, was the voice of God that would speak those precious words, "Father, forgive them"?  Christmas, the celebration of Christ's birth, is here again.  What is it to you?  A time for cookies, gifts, rushing about, parties and family?  All of those things are good, don't get me wrong, but they can easily distract us from receiving the gift of God extended right now; renewed hope, deeper faith, greater joy and abundance of life in His presence are just a few.  Hear the message of the angels; peace on earth... peace in your life; and God's good will for man, His desire to lavish His love on you and me, right now.  I think of the story of Moses and the burning bush and something that God impressed on me years ago.  It wasn't until Moses stopped and turned aside to see why the bush was not consumed by the fire that God spoke to him.  Take a moment to stop and ponder the mysteries of God and He will speak to you too!  

May your Christmas season be full of wonder, mystery and sacred moments.

With love,
Jessica