Almost Christmas!

We are now but a few days away from Christmas (four to be exact!), thus, everyone is very busy. The roads are filled with travelers. The stores are filled with shoppers. Our homes are becoming filled with cookies, chocolates, and gifts. The frenetic pace with which we move about easily overwhelms the calm and beauty of the season.  Yes, it is almost Christmas!

But, be of good cheer!  The traffic, crowds, and tension we might feel is pretty reflective of what the first Christmas must have been like.  After all, when for the first time it was almost Christmas, the whole nation of Israel was upside down.  A decree from Rome had forced everyone to go back to the town of their ancestry to register in a census—all at the same time! Thus, when it was almost Christmas—almost time for Jesus to be born—Joseph and Mary had to take the long and difficult trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  They had to get on the road and into the middle of the traffic. They had to figure out where they were going to stay once they arrived.  They had to find a place suitable for Mary to deliver the baby. Those days leading up to that first Christmas were surely no sleigh-ride through a calm wintery night.  The days leading up to that first Christmas were days filled with great traffic, crowds, tension, and chaos.

Yet, into the middle of the traffic, crowds, tension, and chaos a miracle took place.  Prophecy was fulfilled. The Savior of the world was born!  God stepped into our hectic and crazy-paced world in the form of a human baby. Jesus was born—to bring hope, help, and healing. He came to save the sinner.  He came to bring eternal life. He came to bring peace to our tension and order to our chaos. That’s why the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”  (Luke 2:14 – NIV)

Well, it’s almost Christmas once again and our world is still filled with traffic, crowds, tension and chaos. I feel it. You feel it. But the truth remains: Jesus is still the Savior of the world, the One who is able to save us from our sins; Jesus is still the One who is able to lead us into eternal life; and, Jesus is yet the One who is able to bring peace to our tension and order to our chaotic lives. 

In the midst of all the busyness of these next few days, take some time to worship our Lord Jesus.  Attend services at your church. Read through the Christmas story with your family. Reflect upon the goodness of God and pray to the One who came to be your Prince of Peace. And, allow him to fill you with his peace.

Have a great day. And, Merry Christmas!

-  Pastor Tim Harris