Getting Ready for Christmas?

Today, as I looked at our Christmas tree, still bare, waiting for lights and decorations, I remembered a blog post I wrote almost two years ago.  This time of year we get so busy with gift buying, decorating, cooking, and all the other "events" of the season, that we seldom take the time to really focus on the wondrous event that occurred over two thousand years ago.  

Was Mary, the mother of Jesus, ready for her first "Christmas"?  Truthfully, can you imagine how she felt discovering she and Joseph must travel a distance of over ninety miles to Bethlehem so close to her delivery date? Most likely, tiny clothes had been lovingly made, the birthing room cleaned and ready. Why were her plans for a quiet delivery at home spoiled? Was she fearful of the uncertainties, or did God give her perfect peace that everything would happen according to His perfect plan, albeit not hers?

On that long ago night, a very special baby was born..the Savior of the world. There was no sanitary hospital stay with obstetrician and nurses attending. Jesus was born in a place prepared for animals, not the most precious infant ever born. Instead of a soft, silk blanket, He was wrapped in strips of cloth, placed in a stone feeding trough made for cattle, horses, sheep, and camels. 


There were no beautiful decorations, no Christmas tree covered in lights. God the Father provided the light, the brightest star, guiding seekers to His Son. Christmas cards did not announce the birth of God's Son. Instead, the blessed event was heralded by a multitude of angels. The good news was given first to humble sheep herders. Not exactly who you and I would have expected to be at the top of God's invitation list.

Are you getting ready for Christmas? Will you be disappointed if your vision of a "perfect Christmas" falls short of your plan?  Just maybe, God has a different plan for you this year. Don't be disappointed if the gifts you give, or receive, aren't the "perfect" gift. There is only one perfect gift. We cannot earn it or buy it.

Jesus, the Son of God, the Creator of the Universe, set aside the splendor of heaven for one reason..He loves us. What sacrifice, what amazing...grace!  God's perfect gift, Jesus, is available to ALL who seek Him...not just at Christmas.  I hope and pray that you have accepted God's perfect gift, so that you can be ready for Christmas...in your heart.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6

Copyright 2013 Laney's Musings