12/15/2022 – Early Mornings During the Christmas Season
There is something special during the early morning hours, when everyone is still sleeping, when the house is quiet, you feel that slight hint of outside cold air fighting its way thru the fireplace. The fireplace has long surrendered its heat during the night, all there’s left are smoldering ashes from what was a comforting fire. You do not dare step on the floor without slippers, the cold floor will slap you back to life. But it’s during the Christmas Season, I imagine a young couple (Mary and Joseph) during those early morning hours, staring down at baby Jesus as He slept in that humble manger. I’m speaking about those few hours after the shepherds had left and returned to their duties, after the angels finished singing their song of praise. All there was left was Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. I imagine a scene where baby Jesus is sleeping, perhaps exhausted after the stress of birth, I imagine Mary and Joseph in silence and in complete amazement at the miracle before them, I imagine the audience of farm animals looking on also taking their cues to respect the silence.
Luke 2:16-18
16 “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
During this Christmas season we can get so caught up in all the shopping, the gift giving, the Christmas dinners with family and friends. All these activities are great and fun but let us not lose sight of the real reason of Christmas, it’s the unfolding of God’s plan of redemption and salvation for you and for me. That perfect baby would grow up to be the perfect, sinless lamb, that one day would walk the Via Dolorosa on his way to Calvary. Be purposeful this Christmas season to wake up early, walk thru your home, reflect on God’s many blessings and on the true Christmas story. A young couple in Bethlehem, staring down in amazement at the maker of the universe.
Today celebrate this verse Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
PS – Have a very Merry Christmas!