One thing that I have noticed as I study the Nativity story each Christmas is that it becomes more meaningful. It really isn’t about the trappings that we associate with Christmas, even though I love every part of Christmas. What it is really about, is a gift of hope, peace, joy, and love from God. Christmas is about a precious gift, in the form of a baby, who was an offering, and became a seed that would reap a tremendous harvest in each of us. He was a gift wrapped in flesh, clothed with humanity, and destined for greatness. He is the substance of things we hoped for (Hebrews 12:1) The simplicity of a baby born in a stable, contained the amazing revelation that God is with us. No longer do we have to wait for Him to manifest, He is Here. What an awesome thought! Our waiting and our search is over. He found us and now we can find Him! He came to us, now we can come to Him. He offered His life to us, now we offer our lives to Him. His loved was demonstrated, so that we can demonstrate our love back to Him.
I hope that during this season of hope, joy, peace and love, that your heart gets expanded to really know how much God has for you. God was determined enough to make it happen through a baby in a stable. Let the story of the Nativity come to life in you this season. It is not just a story, but an unfolding of God’s breath of life, manifested in humanity, wrapped in divinity, so that we can know Him, experience His presence and then live for Him, filled with hope, enveloped in joy, surrounded by peace, and wrapped in love.
Advent Activity: Mondays are usually a good night for family togetherness. Why not make family ornaments tonight for your Christmas tree? Keep adding a homemade ornament to your tree each year. Maybe make about something memorable you did as this year.