Close your eyes and pause, and listen in the hush of the night; eavesdrop into the joy and harmony of the choirs rejoicing in unison…oh do you hear them?
In the calm and quiet of one December evening two thousand years ago, do you sense the sacred presence of a miracle?
Does the core of your being burst as Angel voices echo the heart of heaven, setting the scene of one Holy Night when God emerges and speaks again after four hundred years of silence through the cries of the Christ child breathing his first, who now sleeps in a manger of swaddling clothes?
Do we cast our gaze towards the east of the night and in our hunger for Him, we seek Him and travel thousands of miles as the Magi did, following the star to Bethlehem where Jesus lay, and fall to our knees in wonder while opening treasures to Him?
Does the weight of this wonder cause you to fall on your knees and prostrate face down in worship to a Holy God who sent his only son to be born for our sake?
Oh, do you hear them?
The Angel voices are singing…
Fall on your knees;
O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night divine.
O Holy Night
(Excerpt from song
By Placide Cappeau, Adolphe Adam)
Christmas is personal.
Our Heavenly Father longed eternity with us and made a way through His son being born of a virgin.
The Christ Child’s long awaited birth announcement lists his name as…
Wonderful…
Counselor…
Prince of Peace…
Jesus came to be our Savior for all who would receive Him.
Surely, this news of great joy would cause the world to pause and fall to their knees in wonder and join the choir of Angel voices echoing the heart of heaven, setting the scene of one Holy Night when the cries of the Christ child remind us, He was born this night for our sake.
Let’s revisit that Holy Night.
(Matthew 1-2 NIV)
A CHRISTMAS CHILD IS BORN
By Lori A Alicea
Two thousand years ago began,
The story of one night.
Appears to shepherds keeping watch,
An angel caused them fright.
The angel said, be not afraid,
I bring you news of joy.
The Savior has been born to you,
The barn he sleeps this boy.
In Bethlehem, a sign awaits,
Where swaddling clothes are worn.
When find a manger bed, rejoice,
The Christmas child was born.
The shepherds left their flocks at night,
To Bethlehem they went.
They hurried off, amazed to see,
The child that Heaven sent.
That night a Christmas star appeared,
From east three Magi see.
The star would lead them to their King,
The place this child would be.
Bowed down three Magi worshipped him,
This child’s face behold.
Presenting myrrh and frankincense,
To Him their gifts of gold.
A barn received Immanuel,
No royal robes were worn.
Expecting grand, so many missed,
A Christmas child was born.
Dear Lord, the shepherds left it all,
To see if this was true.
The stories told them long ago,
To get a glimpse of you.
Might I be willing, leave behind,
The minute when you call.
Might I be stirred for one small glimpse,
Of you to leave it all.
The Magi traveled far because,
Their heart was for their King.
Prepared to share their love for Him,
Arms full of gifts they bring.
Might I come bearing gifts myself,
For you this Christmas Day.
Surrendered heart I give to you,
My life, please have your way.
This Christmas child no room for him,
No vacancy the inn.
Two thousand years ago one night,
His story does begin.
Remind me when I leave no room,
Or vacancies within.
No guest room but the Master Suite,
Reserved for you my Inn.
And though from heaven you were sent,
To live with us on earth.
The baby born a manger lay,
A barn received your birth.
Might I allow you to grow up,
From manger where you lay.
Who died for me then lives again,
On Resurrection Day.
Dear Lord, you are my gift today,
A treasure wrapped in Thee.
Immanuel, our God with us,
My present ‘neath the tree.
But don’t you worry kids; your name stays on our “Good List” throughout the month of December and beyond.
Grandkids are something else.
Good or bad, a grandparent’s heart is to give good gifts to their grandchildren. Grandchildren don’t earn our love by accumulating enough good stickers. Nor can they lose our love by those checkmarks of bad behavior next to their name.
No matter our age, our Heavenly Father delights in his children running and searching the halls, calling out for him and his whereabouts.
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, (which means “God with us”.) Matthew 1: 23 NIV
In our Heavenly Father’s eyes, his children are always on the good list. No “good stickers” or “checkmarks” beside our name ever earn or jeopardize his love for us.