Christmas Moments: Did You Know?

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

I heard the story of Joseph and Mary every year for the last thirty-two years, but never had I really examined Mary and what she must have been feeling and thinking on that long journey to Bethlehem. As I sat in church a few Sundays before Christmas, I listened to the beautiful words of the special, ‘Mary, Did You Know?’ and tears formed in my eyes. My hand unconsciously rubbed my belly, quite large with our fifth child due just weeks later, wondering if my little one I carried a boy or a girl?

Mary knew.

She knew her little One was a boy. The angel of the Lord had told her nine months before that she would have a Son, and she should call His name Immanuel. I let my mind drift back 2000 years before and put myself in Mary’s place.

Riding a donkey in her condition, bouncing along on the rough trail, feeling every jolt and muscle sway as the rocks rolled underfoot. Walking would have been better, had it not been for the constant tightening of the stomach every few minutes. The baby’s head was obviously dropping. In this strange and unfriendly town, who would attend to her labor and birth of this precious child? Who would know what to do when everyone else failed them?

 Joseph knew.

Joseph knew what to do. His hands were strong and capable of catching the sweet babe as He made His entrance into the cold world. He knew how to bundle the little one with swaddling clothes and lay Him in the manger filled with sweet hay. As the cattle and sheep gently chewed their cud, they watched as their visitors settled down after their long ordeal and slept for a few minutes on the pile of fresh hay, covered with a soft blanket. Nobody else knew of the miraculous birth that occurred that night and nobody cared to come and see the newborn baby.

But the shepherds knew.

The angels appeared to them in the sky above, startling them from their usual quiet chatter as they watched their sheep. The sky lit up with a glorious light, almost blinding them as the angels sang overhead. “Glory to God in the highest!” Their angelic voices rang out with the most beautiful song, praising the Heavenly Father for the birth of God the Son. Only the shepherds heard that song of praise and now came to worship the King.

And today, we still worship our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Did you know that Jesus came to bring peace to His children and is still bringing that peace to us today? Rest in the truth that He will never change and He is the same as He was 2000 years ago. I can truly say I am glad that He chose to come to earth as a man and I know I am going to be with Him someday in Heaven.

How about you….do you know?


About the author:

Cara Simmons is a wife, mother of five, and an author of Christian YA adventure fiction. She's enjoyed writing short stories since childhood and telling them to whomever would listen. From monkey tales to stories of kidnappings, and orphans, Cara wove exciting adventures that thrilled her listeners. In 2007, Halo Publishing International published the first book of her trilogy, The Orphans of Mordecai's Castle: The Haven followed by book two, The Leviathan in 2009. Her final book is presently in the editing process and Simmons hopes to see it published by the end of 2012. To learn more about Cara and her books click here.

Christmas Moments: Come Let Us See

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:12

Every year after Christmas Eve service, Dad turned on the car radio so we could listen to the announcer track Santa's journey through the winter sky. I was so eager to get home, jump in bed and quickly fall asleep so Santa could come to our house. Sometimes, I tried to stay awake as long as I could, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Jolly Old Elf himself as he left gifts under our tree. How my little heart thrilled at the thought of catching that twinkle in Santa's eyes.

Oh, if only I could just catch a glimpse...

In Luke 2:8-20, we read the story of shepherds who caught more than a glimpse of the greatest gift ever given. While they were tending the sheep, angels appeared in the sky; and as frightened as they were, the shepherds were so convinced of the angels' news that they said, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened." When they arrived at their destination, they came face-to-face with Jesus. He wasn't left under a beautifully decorated tree. Instead, He was placed in a manger. He wasn't wrapped in a pretty package tied with a brightly colored bow. He was wrapped in strips of swaddling cloth.

When our boys were small, I couldn't wait to see their little faces as they opened their gifts. I anticipated that moment more than I looked forward to opening my own gifts. I wanted to see their eyes light up and hear their joyful squeals of delight over their new toys. Might this be what the Father had in mind when he gave us Jesus? Is it possible He greatly anticipated our response to His gift more than He wanted to receive from us? I think so, because it's more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

This year, as we reflect on the Christmas story, let us see Jesus. Let us unwrap the gift of the Savior and receive anew all that He has given us, and turn our faces toward heaven and offer to the Father our joyful praise and thanksgiving for all that He has done.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

About the author:

Renee Rowell, lives in Elgin, SC with her husband David and their youngest son. Their eldest son is serving overseas in the U. S. Air force. For the past twenty-five years she and David have served shoulder-to-shoulder in worship ministry and presently minister at The Church of the Harvest in Lexington, SC. Renee's current projects are blogging at Life Outside the Margins and authoring a book, Loving Like Jesus Loves: Strengthening Your Heart for the Extra Mile. Renee welcomes visitors to her blog or facebook page.