Luke 2:16–20 (NIV)
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
CONSIDER THIS
The moment all creation had been leaning in for, the longing and hope of generations had finally arrived. Actually, it had arrived sometime before this moment but had only become known to the world just now. Like the words of the prophet Isaiah:
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:2, 6–7)
Divine light had dawned on the world; a Savior and Lord, the one who would restore and redeem all things, has come to eliminate our darkness and offer us life and light in him. When light has come, and all darkness has fled with the night, the glory of that reality is so compelling it can’t be contained. A child born into the world to save it is a light worth proclaiming.
This Christmas morning, I’ll leave you with this simple reality. Knowing the light for yourself, awakening to it, and basking in the fullness of its glory, should cause you to proclaim its glory with everything you have. The shepherds caught sight of a child King and told all who would hear. After a simple encounter with a baby, the shepherds worshiped the Lord with delight. Awakening to the light, realizing that he had obliterated all darkness in you, and for creation, should cause life-giving proclamation for others. Tell them you’ve seen the King. Tell all who will hear that he has flipped the lights on in your darkness. With everything within you, tell the story of God’s in-breaking through your greatest pain because you’ve seen the Messiah and his salvation. Tell them that no darkness can overcome this light; that, for them, this light can be life too.
Right now, in the moment of this Christmas morning, make the aim of your life to radiate that truth until he comes again in a glorious dawn.
Today, I simply want to close us in worship.
I don’t think there’s a better song for Christmas, or at least for our discovery of in-breaking light in it, than this. Take a moment this morning to listen, sing along, and rejoice in the declaration of these lyrics, “King of Kings” by Hillsong Worship.
Find it wherever you stream music, and turn it up as you celebrate the light this Christmas morning.
For the Awakening,
Sarah Wanck
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2 Responses
This came to me in the middle of last night:
The Parable of The Author’s Wife (Jesus Isn’t a Baby Anymore)
There was once a famous author whose wife mostly ignored and rarely communicated with him. She did however attend a book club where she heard a weekly lecture about him and his books, and she enjoyed looking at his baby pictures once a year.
That woman is like millions of Christians who mostly ignore and rarely communicate with the living Jesus. They do however go to church to hear a weekly lecture about Him and His book, and they enjoy hearing an annual account of His birth.
“With everything within you, tell the story of God’s in-breaking through your greatest pain because you’ve seen the Messiah and his salvation.”
Thanks for meaningful comments