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“There were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And an angel of the  Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold I bring you  good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:4-11 ESV

Perhaps you have replayed this part of the Christmas story in your mind or maybe you’ve seen it acted out in a children’s play or in a movie? There are several events told of great surprise or fear as the Christmas story unfolds. Zechariah’s encounter with the angel Gabriel as the birth of John the Baptist is foretold…  Then, Mary’s great surprise when the angel Gabriel appeared, telling her she would conceive and give birth to a son and would name him Jesus… yet she was a virgin!   Mary’s visit with her aunt Elizabeth who was six months pregnant in her old age… The journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register for the census when she is soon to deliver her baby! The frustration of no available rooms in the inn and finding themselves in a stable, where she delivered her firstborn. Talk about events not going according to plan! Also, the angels that appeared to the shepherds that created shock and fear… And the couple’s eventual plight to Egypt with baby Jesus… The list goes on and on!

Were their lives really much different than ours? Haven’t you encountered times of uncertainty when you make plans, but they don’t turn out the way you envisioned? Disappointment, fear, frustration, shock, disbelief, and worry are just some of the emotions that engulf us during these times.

Christmas  plans are being made, but perhaps they  have fallen through due to a variety of reasons. If you are like me, I want Christmas to be a joyous time. I’ve decorated my home, made some special favorites, and prepared gifts for friends and family.  I’ll make the turkey dinner which gives me great pleasure. But, deep down, I wish things were different. I’d love for my son and his family to be with me …. I’d like to be healed of my physical conditions. But, just because its Christmas, life doesn’t suddenly become a bed of roses. So, where is the joy in the season? Simple. By getting my focus back on the true meaning of Christmas!  Rejoicing that our  Savior was born 2,000 years ago! Emmanuel, God with us… the Incarnation! Scripture fulfilled! Several prophets foretold of the coming Messiah four to six hundred years before Jesus was born! Talk about shock!

As much as we’d like all trials to disappear at this time of year, take heart, Jesus will return one day, and all the wrongs will be righted. Set time aside to ponder the scripture and allow your thoughts to be transformed by the  true account of the birth of Jesus and the reason He came to earth. Christ came to seek and to save the lost!

With that said, I have the greatest Gift of all.

How do you find this Gift? Salvation? Through forgiveness of your sins. May God’s tender mercy be upon you as He gives light and peace to your life.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, from my home to yours.