Life This Side of Heaven

Christmas cards have been an enduring means of sending greetings to friends and family another across town, across the country and around the world. However, for many, with the advent of social media, texting and video chatting, the means by which we’re sending greetings has changed. But before we look wistfully at the past, and maybe even lament the change, consider the very nature of Christmas itself. It’s all about an extraordinary new means of communication...

With all of different colors, styles, looks, and sizes, it’s difficult to pick out clothes for someone else.  It’s not easy to know what will go together well and what fits. But, hands down, the award for choosing the best gift of clothing for Christmas – goes to our God.  He really knows what goes well together and what fits.

In ancient times, you could tell the announcement that was coming by the feet of the messenger carrying the news. As well as having been given a Savior, you and I have been given some pretty fine footwear for Christmas.

On this day, we awaken and are reminded of our heavenly Father’s gift to you and me of His Son. It’s time for us to tear back the wrapping as we rejoice and tell others.

If I was one of the "shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night," I might have asked the angel if he could repeat the announcement just made. "Did I just hear that right?   The almighty and eternal Son of God, the one through whom all things were made, the King of kings and Lord of lords … is lying in a feed trough?"

“Everyone counts.” That’s the title of what the U.S. Census Bureau calls its new song, “A catchy tune and fun lyrics help young children understand the census and why everyone counts in their own special way.” It was a census that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. And it's through faith in our Savior, whose birth you and I are getting ready to celebrate, that God now counts you and me in very special way – as His redeemed children.

“Supply crisis: Will Christmas be cancelled?” That was a provocative newspaper headline. There are so many things that we often count on, all coming together with perfect timing, that the hope for a perfect Christmas celebration is practically unattainable when any of them is in short supply. However, Christmas itself is all about God's loving response to very real shortage.

It’s one of the most lovely images of the season of Advent. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby John leaped in her womb. Some have wondered how that's possible. The truth is, it's even more amazing to think of all the leaping for joy that's taking place now and all that's going to come as result of Jesus' saving work.

It must have had folks scratching their heads when the prophet Micah announced that the Savior of the world would be born in Bethlehem. Today, the little town of Bethlehem is famous but you can be sure that folks in Micah’s day were asking, “Bethlehem? Are you kidding?” But this tells us something important, and very comforting, of how God looks on you and me and our salvation.

Do you enjoy listing to Christmas oldies? A number of radio stations have curated lists of their favorites. Of course, when they say oldies, they’re referring to songs that came out primarily in the fifties and sixties. And many of them are actually songs that are based on earlier hits. But there’s also a favorite hymn of this Advent season that’s actually a clever remake of some much, much older music. Can you guess which one it is?