12.12.17 // Expecting the Messiah: The Very First Christmas Eve
Luke 2:1-7
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that
all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when
Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own
town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to
Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the
house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was
with child. And while they were there,
the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn
son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there
was no place for them in the inn.”
Can
you imagine walking in Mary and Joseph’s shoes at this point in their lives, on
the eve of Jesus’ grand entry into the world? I cannot imagine what they would
have been feeling at the moment when the contractions began and labor signs
commenced. The nine months of waiting and preparing for Jesus’ coming was
finally over. The fullness of time had come, and in a few short hours, He would
arrive! Surely their anticipation was so great in those final moments. The Lord
had prepared their hearts for nine months for this very moment. Wow!
What
must they have been feeling in those last moments together before Jesus arrived
on that first Christmas Eve? Were they anxious? Were they humbled? Were they
were worried about the fact that they were in a stable and couldn’t find a room
in the inn for their new baby boy? Were they worried that the Lord was
disappointed at their location? Were they uncomfortable in the stable? Did Mary
miss her mother in those moments when she was delivering her first baby? How
intense was her labor, and for how long did she labor? Did Joseph have time or
success in finding a midwife to help? Were the animals in their way? Did they
already have the idea to put Jesus in the manger once He was born? Did the kind
stable owner have any clue what was about to happen in his stable? Did they
anticipate visitors after Jesus’ birth, or was that a surprise? How did they
felt the moment they heard Jesus’ first newborn cry? How did they respond when
He was lifted up for all to see? I’m sure the scene was breathtakingly and
indescribably glorious!
When
I think about Christmas Eve, my immediate thoughts take me back to my
childhood, when I couldn’t wait to wake up in the morning to a menagerie of
presents. I was filled with eager anticipation as I waited for Christmas
morning. Now that I am older, my focus is not on the earthly gifts so much.
Yes, of course, I still enjoy the thoughtful gifts from family and friends, but
those gifts are not the source of my excitement as they were when I was a
child. Now, my heart and mind are drawn to the same eager anticipation that Mary
and Joseph must have felt on their first Christmas Eve. My mind is blown away
with wonder at the fact that God would come to dwell with us – and especially in the
form of a humble baby that needed to be cared for. He entered the world under
such humbling circumstances, and why?? Because of His love for you and me! What
an amazing Father we serve?
As
you approach Christmas, and specifically Christmas Eve, I pray that the Lord
will allow you to genuinely feel true excitement and wonder at Jesus’ coming as
if you were in Mary’s shoes on the very first Christmas Eve. I pray that you
will be in awe as Mary was that the moment for the Savior to enter the world
was finally here. I pray that you will stand amazed at the Lord because He has
physically come to dwell with man – Immanuel – God with us. I pray that you will truly worship Christ
this Christmas Eve. And yes, while we enjoy gifts and family and friends and
traditions, I pray that our greatest joy will stem from our worship and
adoration of Jesus Christ –
our Savior who was willing to be humbled by taking on the form of an infant so
that we could know Him! Praise the Lord!
Merry
Christmas!
Always,
Jacquelyn
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