The Christmas Journey

As you gather together with family and friends for holiday festivities, may the journey there with packages and luggage piled high, take you back to the burdensome load on a lowly donkey some two thousand years ago. As Joseph and Mary made way to Bethlehem from Nazareth, like you, they were caught up in the hustle and bustle with their countrymen. All traveled to their hometowns, being called to a census by Caesar. (1)

May you not be so caught up in the madness that you miss the meaning. Let the signs of the season draw you in to the love that is Christmas.

May the packages unwrapped be a reminder of the great blessings the Lord puts before us each and every day of our lives. We need only receive them, open them, and be blessed by them. Remember the greatest gift of all is the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in the manger. (2)

May the red ribbons remind you of the sacrifice the Messiah made on the cross. God purposed this day for the fulfillment of prophesy and the atonement of sins.(3) The red string tied on the horn of the sacrificial goat on the Day of Atonement represented the Christ who has come to take away the sins of the world. (4)

May the singing of carols be a reminder of the songs of the multitude of angels,(5) the heavenly choir who sang rejoicing and heralding in the birth of Emmanuel, God with us. (6) May we lift our voices in praise and adoration, for the Lord has been born in Bethlehem.

May the twinkling lights all around represent that bright star that shone down on the earth, a beacon to all that this is where God would place salvation. This holy site, like a lighthouse signaled that to this child the lost and fearful would come. To this infant both the lowly shepherd and the scholarly king would kneel. (7) All of creation stood still that night as the universe bowed to its creator (8), come to save.

May the candles speak of His light. (9) May the tinsel speak of His glory. May the snow be an ever present reminder that only through His death can mankind be washed so clean. (10)

And as the eve of His birth draws near, may we steady our hearts. May soul and spirit merge as gently our eyes turn to the manger of Bethlehem. Along with the livestock laying low on the straw, be drawn close to the babe. Bend your knees. Bow your head. Whisper your praise.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:11-14

Scripture References:

(1) Luke 2:1-5 (KJV) 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

(2) Luke 2:12 (KJV) 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

(3) Matthew 1:21 (KJV) 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

(4) Romans 5:10-11 (KJV) 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

(5) Luke 2:13-14 (KJV) 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, good will toward men.

(6) Matthew 1:23 (KJV) 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

(7) Matthew 2:11 (KJV) 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

(8) John 1:3 (KJV) 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

(9) John 1:4 (KJV) 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

(10) Isaiah 1:18 (KJV) 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.