Around the holiday season we feel many different emotions. We have hope for an upcoming new year, we fear getting together with family, we enjoy the decorations and maybe miss those loved ones that have departed. I think the Christmas season can easily be overshadowed with the rush of buying gifts preparing or either going to parties, or impatiently waiting for traffic to move. What I think the holiday is supposed to be about, just a reminder, it is a time of spiritual experience and reflection. It really is a time of wonder as the story tells us that something pure and holy entered into the world and change our hearts and our minds and our lives.

The world during the time of the birth of Jesus was a mess much like today and much like most days of anyone’s life. There is political strife and poverty, fear of not having enough and fear of losing what we have. Then Jesus came into the world and shifted the entire dynamics of heaven and earth to proclaim there could be love and peace and joy within a human being regardless of the circumstances that surround one’s existence. There is hope of something beautiful, to rise above the turmoil and the tragedy.

My favorite translation of the birth of Jesus is found the book of Luke. I think Luke was a phenomenal writer and when I ponder what he says about this pivotal moment I am in awe. Please read it with me and I pray you find the same beauty that I find.

Luke 2:1-20

2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. NKJV

Merry Christmas!