Now That Is Something to Celebrate
Christmas season, busy days, hectic schedules, lots of plans real and virtual. Celebrations with family and friends, joy of children near and far, happy times, and treasured memories. Yet amidst it all let us not forget the real reason for the season. How could we not stop to celebrate such an amazing and joyous occasion, the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord, the greatest gift of all time. Now that’s something to celebrate.
On that most beautiful of all nights, there lie a baby in a stable, with mother and father hovering near. There had been no room for them in the Inn, no bed for her on which to labor and bring her child into the world. Yet, the time was at hand and the Inn’s stable would have to do. She lay down on the straw in a stall meant for animals and brought forth her firstborn son. Now the babe rested quietly, as all eyes focused on him. Even the animals seemed to want to take in as much of this new life as they could.
Tiny creatures, unnoticed by the parents or other animals, scampered up the stable walls, perched on the rafters, or climbed on the backs of others to get a glimpse of this miraculous site.
Before day there came others to witness this wondrous event. They were local shepherds who had heard from the angels that this special child had been born. Leaving their flocks, they had come to see him and were instantly transfixed as they witnessed the beautiful glow of light that shown from the child’s face.
Oh, to have been present there, in the stable, to behold such a sight, experience such a moment, to witness the birth of our Savior and King.
Luke 2:6–14 NKJV
6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a [a]manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
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How beautiful that God sent His Son as a baby, to grasp our attention on that most special and holy of all nights. Our love for babies is so universal, something about them just draws us. Perhaps it is their newness, innocence, and potential, God’s gift to us to say that He wants us to carry on.
In the eyes of a newborn, we see the possibility for a life better than we have lived. They are our hope for the future. I believe that this hope burns in all of us, not matter how tiny the flame. It is a longing for something greater than we have, better than we have done, of a world that is more loving, caring, and giving.
God’s gift of a new life, the gift of His Son is the first and greatest gift of Christmas. It is God’s beautiful unspoiled love for us. A love that was so great that He was willing to sacrifice His only Son to bring us home to Him.
Our love for babies points us directly to Him, innocent unspoiled beauty not of our creation but of His. So, on that night of all nights as angels announced His royal birth and the voices of the Heavenly Hosts rang out with celestial fireworks, it is no wonder that people were drawn to the baby. The world knew that life would never be the same.
This baby truly brought a new life of hope and love and God’s offer of eternal life.