We Stand...We Receive

December 24

We stand at the threshold of the celebration of the incarnation—Immanuel, God with us. May we allow our incarnate God, our Savior our Lord, to be the heart of our joy

Most believers have imagined themselves to have been at the Nativity scene. We’ve pondered the wonder of hearing the angel chorus announce the birth of the One who came to be Prince of Peace. We’ve contemplated the amazement of the humble shepherds who were privy to such grand news.

We think of the wise men, indeed wise beyond the knowledge of the astrological signs they analyzed in order to discern the arrival of One highly favored and anointed. This One, they knew, was unique among the potentates born into the realm of man; was worthy of their finest gifts of treasure and of homage.

When we think of how we would have acted or what we would have done, we know we would have been struck with awe and wonder, even as were the shepherds. And like them, we would have heard the angels reassure, “Don’t be afraid, for I bring you good tidings of great joy that is for all people” Luke 2:10.

Perhaps we would have proclaimed as did the elderly father of John the Baptist when he heard the news of Mary’s pregnancy and the imminent birth of the long-awaited One, “Through the tender mercy of our God, the Dayspring from on High has visited us” Luke 1:78. Perhaps we would have rejoiced to have Jesus as our Savior. That joy is still available to anyone who will receive it.