As I was thinking about a Christmas devotional to read this year, the thought occurred to me to write one for my blog. Pretty sure that a Christmas devotional in some form has crossed my mind before. So, here I am…attempting to put together several posts that will be a page on my blog simply celebrating Christmas! Exciting! Now, as I write this first one, I cannot guarantee a second, or any after! When I write, I have found that I have a thought (or two, or…well, you get the idea!), or inspiration, and then I have to take the time to sit down and begin. Beginning is the key. Then, I have to see where it goes…test the waters, you might say…making sure that I feel like this is the right direction.
For this first attempt, I would like to encourage you and me as this Christmas season has begun to take time daily to celebrate the One for whom Christmas is celebrated. Celebrate and reflect on at least one aspect of His birth, His death, His resurrection. I love the decorating, the lights and glitter, and simply the atmosphere of the entire Christmas season just as much as the next person; but the reason the season of giving is so special is because of the joy that only He can bring. Who is this “He”? He is Jesus…born of a virgin, whose name was Mary. He was born in a stable in Bethlehem many years ago.
For the most part, the event of the birth of a baby is usually a family celebration. When my son was born, I was young and unsure of this new role as a mother in my life; but this baby was very small and precious, and instinctively, it was evident to me that I must nourish him and do my best to keep him alive and in my life. I did my best, and he survived and is still alive and well 34 years later! When my daughter was born, I had about four years of experience being a mom by then. I was braver as she delivered. With both, we had opted out of finding out whether we were having a boy or a girl. I wanted to be surprised. I had my little boy, so I was hoping for a girl. God granted my desire, and a girl was born. I had to ask if the doctor had said it was a girl, and with the confirmation, celebrated with tears of joy! She, too, (although not quite as tiny as my little feller) was dependent on me to nourish her body and our relationship. Their lives—their births—are still celebrated in this mom’s heart today!
Although the road leading to the birth of Jesus was challenging for Mary and Joseph, there is no doubt that a celebration still occurred.
“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.”
Luke 2:8-20 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.2.8-20.NLT
As it was my responsibility to nourish my new little tykes to keep them alive and in my life, it is still up to us to nourish our relationship with this King born in Bethlehem so long ago. He is still alive and wants to be a part of our daily lives. The Bible says that He cares about every detail of our lives. That says to me that I can take every detail of my life to Him in prayer. No thing is too small or too great for this King. So taking time each day to spend time with Him—to seek out The Savior—as the shepherds did…repenting of any sin; surrendering our lives to Him; talking to him about any detail that concerns us; glorifying, worshipping, and focusing on Him will bring that great joy spoken of in scripture that only He can bring (vs 10). I think what you and I will find over and over again is that, that joy overflows into celebration—daily—with a thankful heart…a joy that will spill over and splash onto others by our words and actions…during this Christmas season and beyond.
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Psalms 37:23 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.37.23.NLT
Simply Celebrate With Jackie 