Friday, December 10, 2010

Last Minute Christmas

My guess is that most of us now are developing a list of the last things we need to do before the 25th. Banquets, get togethers, cards, presents, church services, family meetings to decide how the holidays will go, baking and much much more. In the midst of long to do lists it is difficult to really enjoy the meaningful things that God offers us. Of course, this is very similar to how Mary and Joseph must have felt with travel and having a baby and such. Maybe Christmas is experienced best in the midst of chaos, when we find moments to "treasure all these things in our hearts."

I love Max Lucado's words about this,
"He looks like anything but a king. His face is prunish and red. His cry, though strong and healthy, is still the helpless and piercing cry of a baby. And he is absolutely dependent upon Mary for his well-being.
Majesty in the midst of the mundane. Holiness in the filth of sheep manure and sweat. Divinity entering the world on the floor of a stable, through the womb of a teenager and in the presence of a carpenter.
She touches the face of the infant-God. How long was your journey!
This baby had overlooked the universe. These rags keeping him warm were the robes of eternity. His golden throne room had been abandoned in favor of a dirty sheep pen. And worshiping angels had been replaced with kind but bewildered shepherds."