This December my favorite radio station is broadcasting only Christmas music for the entire month. I have been listening to seasonal hymns, hand-bells, special holiday carols, inspirational orchestras and church choirs, singing chipmunks along with country pop sprinkled with rock and roll and soft jazz. This is an exciting time of year and the music just adds to the festive mood.
I can still remember being a little boy and hearing neighborhood carolers strolling from house to house on a snowy Christmas Eve as I was being tucked in to dream of dancing sugar plums and chubby Santa’s. It was a wonderful time of innocent anticipation and child like pleasure.
Two thousand years earlier the world witnessed the first Christmas Eve and it was also ushered in with joy and celebration. There were even presents as the wise men followed a brilliant star to Bethlehem and placed their offerings at the feet of the Christ child.
“When they saw the star they were overjoyed. On coming to the house,
they saw the child with his mother Mary,
and they bowed down and worshiped him.
Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts
of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:10-11
Ever since that life-changing evening nations have celebrated Christ and the wonder of His earthly birth. His coming was recorded hundreds of years in advance by the prophet Isaiah (Isa 7:14). He was born of a virgin mother and placed in the eating trough of stable animals. Such a humble beginning! At the same time God’s angels surrounded the shepherds living in the fields nearby, singing praises to the newborn and witnessing to them the meaning of that night.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.
I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.”
Luke 2:10
Eventually He was crucified, died, buried and resurrected to heaven.
Those of us who share a new birth in Christ look forward to His triumphal and glorious return.
Luke 2:15
Manna and Coffee 