Christmas Eve

After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, in these last days He has spoken to us in a son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He created the world. The Son is the radiance of His glory and the representation of His essence, and He sustains all things by His powerful word, and so when He had accomplished cleansing for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Thus He became so far better than the angels as He has inherited a name superior to theirs.  Hebrews 1:1-4 NET

When they arrived in Bethlehem, Mary went into labor, and there she gave birth to her firstborn son. After wrapping the newborn baby in strips of cloth, they laid Him in a feeding trough since there was no available space in any upper room in the village.  Luke 2:6-7 TPT 

I'd like to think there was a small moment the night Jesus was born that took Mary and Joseph's breath away. That held the shepherds captive for a few seconds. That even the animals ceased from eating, from shuffling in their stalls- just for a moment.  The hushed awe. The reverence. The holiness...it had to be tangible.  O holy night.

And then He was born! As prophesied in the book of Isaiah 9, and recorded in books Matthew 1, Luke 2! 

God, Your love is overwhelming. Let us never lose the wonder that You came down to save us. You could have required us to do so much more to have access to Your Kingdom, yet because of our belief in Jesus Christ, You freely give us eternity with You since we could never earn it on our own. Oh, what a Savior! We love You. Amen.

There is much about Christmas that can be noisy. The crowds swarm, the ads never stop, even certain songs have clamorous lyrics:

But this is the season that bids us to still our tongues and quiet our thoughts. It bids us to come to a position of reverence and to simply listen and worship.

At the time of the birth of Jesus, it was decreed that a census would be taken. Every person in the Roman world had to return to his or her hometown to register. Joseph, being of the line of King David was required to go to Bethlehem to register with Mary.

The city of Bethlehem was a small village about five miles southwest of Jerusalem. While in Bethlehem, Jesus Christ was born. Because of the census, the inn was overcrowded, and Mary gave birth in a crude stable. She wrapped the baby snuggly in strips of cloth and placed Him in a manger, simply a trough used to feed cattle and other livestock. 

Isaiah 9:2 NET The people walking in darkness see a bright light; light shines on those who live in a land of deep darkness.

That night, in a field near Bethlehem, there were shepherds watching over their flocks. Abruptly, the Lord angel appeared. Can you see the raw moment, it must have taken the shepherds breath away! the immense light, imagine the sounds! The radiant splendor encompassing them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were probably held in their tracks, terrified! But the angel reassured them. 

Luke 2:10-14 NET  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”

And so the Shepherds worshipped the Savior, that night in a regular, everyday probably overgrazed field, as they were tending and living among their flocks of sheep. The radiance of God's glory overtook them. 

Jesus Christ, we celebrate You. There’s no greater example of humility than our Savior. Let the reality of what we celebrate at Christmas really sink in: 

Jesus laid down His royal position to pursue you and me! To pursue those we have forgotten about and those we don’t yet know!! All the people! All the generations before us and those who will come after us. 

He knew we would betray Him. He knew He would die a terrible death, and He came anyway. 

Look at how much encouragement we have found in our relationship with Jesus, we are filled to overflowing with His comforting love. Filled so that we can pour His light over the streets around us, We have experienced a deepening friendship with Holy Spirit and have felt His tender affection and mercy, in order to take our steps with His wisdom.