For the past 1 1/2 hours, I have been lying in my bed at the point of dozing off only to realize that I am still very much awake. It seems as I'm just about to hit that wonderful dream state my eyes pop open. The clock says it's only been 15 minutes since the last time I checked. There isn't one thing in particular that has rendered me Sleepless in Holly Cove. My mind has run through every possible scenario...everything that has happened, could have happened, and of course, probably will happen.
This time of year once seemed so magical to me. People were happier. Every house or at least every other house on every block was decorated. This year, however, hasn't really even seemed like Christmas. I couldn't wait for the Christmas movies, music, decorations, and lights, lights, lights. The same Christmas movies are being aired over and over. Same boy meets girl. Boy chases girl. Girl pretends to resist. Boy gets girl in the end and everyone sings "Joy to the World" around the Christmas tree. The music, of course, never changes and this year it seems many more houses, entire neighborhoods even, are bare, dark, cold. Even today, while wrapping gifts I told my mother, "It just doesn't feel like Christmas to me." With only 3 days left, I'm afraid it will go by and I will have completely missed "the most wonderful time of the year."
What is it all about, anyway?
So, I stop to read the Christmas story. From the beginning, we have two angelic visitations and two women with two miraculous pregnancies. Elizabeth,an elderly, barren women and Mary, a young virgin. The mouth of Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist, was closed (because of his unbelief) and then, later reopened supernaturally. We read of the baby, John the Baptist, leaping for joy in his mother's womb at the encounter of the unborn baby Jesus. The story continues with a third angelic visitation to the shepherds in the field followed by the appearance of hosts of angels. The NIV translation describes the angels as "a great company." Jesus was taken to the temple for circumcision when he was 8 days old where he was presented to Simeon. Now it had already been revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen "the Lord's Christ."
As I read Luke's version of the birth of Christ, I discover the Christmas story is about celestial visitation proclaiming peace. Each angel proclaimed, "Fear not!" and "Good News, Glad Tidings, Great Joy!" The hosts, the great company, of angels shouted, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on who his favor rests." Sorry, Patty Duke, you can't top these angels.
The Christmas story is about believing. Elizabeth exclaimed [to Mary], "Blessed is she who believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished." Unbelief rendered Zachariah mute until the birth of his promised child. Simeon saw his promise fulfilled. He held the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God saying, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace, For my eyes have seen your salvation." Santa Clause can't make deliveries like these. Why would we want to teach our children to believe in someone who is not real?
Quite obviously, we know, the Christmas story is about miracles. As Elizabeth proclaimed, "For nothing is impossible with God." Mrs. Miracle can't conjure up a virgin conception and make babies leap in the womb.
And, yes, there is even romance. A man marries a woman supernaturally impregnated because God told him to? There is nothing more appealing than a man who listens to the leading and direction of the Lord. What could be more romantic? John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
So, again I ask, what is it all about?
Having no fear, but peace; believing that He will "fulfill with His hands what He promised with His mouth." (2 Chronicles 6:4); knowing that nothing is impossible with God; and of course, the Good News of salvation! So, as Evie would sing, "Come on, ring those bells. Light the Christmas tree! Jesus, we remember it's your birthday!"
Finally, my eyes are heavy with sleep. So, here comes the trite ending to all Christmas stories...Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior..." Luke 1:46-47
This time of year once seemed so magical to me. People were happier. Every house or at least every other house on every block was decorated. This year, however, hasn't really even seemed like Christmas. I couldn't wait for the Christmas movies, music, decorations, and lights, lights, lights. The same Christmas movies are being aired over and over. Same boy meets girl. Boy chases girl. Girl pretends to resist. Boy gets girl in the end and everyone sings "Joy to the World" around the Christmas tree. The music, of course, never changes and this year it seems many more houses, entire neighborhoods even, are bare, dark, cold. Even today, while wrapping gifts I told my mother, "It just doesn't feel like Christmas to me." With only 3 days left, I'm afraid it will go by and I will have completely missed "the most wonderful time of the year."
What is it all about, anyway?
So, I stop to read the Christmas story. From the beginning, we have two angelic visitations and two women with two miraculous pregnancies. Elizabeth,an elderly, barren women and Mary, a young virgin. The mouth of Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist, was closed (because of his unbelief) and then, later reopened supernaturally. We read of the baby, John the Baptist, leaping for joy in his mother's womb at the encounter of the unborn baby Jesus. The story continues with a third angelic visitation to the shepherds in the field followed by the appearance of hosts of angels. The NIV translation describes the angels as "a great company." Jesus was taken to the temple for circumcision when he was 8 days old where he was presented to Simeon. Now it had already been revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen "the Lord's Christ."
As I read Luke's version of the birth of Christ, I discover the Christmas story is about celestial visitation proclaiming peace. Each angel proclaimed, "Fear not!" and "Good News, Glad Tidings, Great Joy!" The hosts, the great company, of angels shouted, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on who his favor rests." Sorry, Patty Duke, you can't top these angels.
The Christmas story is about believing. Elizabeth exclaimed [to Mary], "Blessed is she who believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished." Unbelief rendered Zachariah mute until the birth of his promised child. Simeon saw his promise fulfilled. He held the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God saying, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace, For my eyes have seen your salvation." Santa Clause can't make deliveries like these. Why would we want to teach our children to believe in someone who is not real?
Quite obviously, we know, the Christmas story is about miracles. As Elizabeth proclaimed, "For nothing is impossible with God." Mrs. Miracle can't conjure up a virgin conception and make babies leap in the womb.
And, yes, there is even romance. A man marries a woman supernaturally impregnated because God told him to? There is nothing more appealing than a man who listens to the leading and direction of the Lord. What could be more romantic? John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
So, again I ask, what is it all about?
Having no fear, but peace; believing that He will "fulfill with His hands what He promised with His mouth." (2 Chronicles 6:4); knowing that nothing is impossible with God; and of course, the Good News of salvation! So, as Evie would sing, "Come on, ring those bells. Light the Christmas tree! Jesus, we remember it's your birthday!"
Finally, my eyes are heavy with sleep. So, here comes the trite ending to all Christmas stories...Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior..." Luke 1:46-47
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