Christmas

It's now real. Christmas that is!

Our Christmas tree is up, and a brand new one too. After 18 years of marriage (how time flies) Natalee and I have splurged and bought our first Christmas tree. No more "hand me downs" for us. A beautiful, full, variegated green, Christmas tree. Covered in tinsel and decorations, oh and lots of lights! Kaleb and Emily were very excited but Kaleb in particular was just jumping out of his skin. There is something about kids that reminds you of just how special Christmas is!

But what a contrast to that first Christmas. A stable full of hay and animal smells just doesn't compare! It is hard to believe that the king of the universe was born in such an unspectacular place. Luke 2:7 says "she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." I like to joke that the angel in charge of accomodation must have been demoted after that mistake!

But it was no mistake. Jesus was not born to any particular fanfare in the worldy sense. He was not born in Herod's household, nor did He arrive as an adult. He came as a baby, fully vulnerable and dependant on His earthly mother. And that is part of the beauty of the story. The God of the universe came to a simple home, with simple needs. Emmanuel means "God with us". In the fullest sense, He became one of us. God entered into our world. In the same way that we do.

My deeper challenge this Christmas, is to make sure that there is room for Christ in my Christmas. That He doesn't get pushed aside for all the "fun" stuff. That while there was no room for Him in the first Christmas, I will make sure that there is room for Him this year.

What about you?