Christmas Eve

December 24

The angel had told Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah. She was in awe of her heavenly visitor but the magnitude of his announcement was not lost upon her. In response to the amazing pronouncement she had just heard, she said the following:

Mary’s beautiful Magnificat:: Luke 1:46-55

46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.

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 Day-spring 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.