If you’ve spent any amount of time with a newborn baby, you know the captivating nature that a young child holds. He or she naturally attracts the attention of every person in any room.
Last month, my family experienced that entrancement firsthand, when my first nephew was born. We waited a long time for that little guy to join us in the “real world.” He came later than his due date, weighed more than was expected, and spent his first few days on earth in the NICU. (Nearly five weeks later, he is healthy and growing—praise the Lord!)
During that delivery weekend, I watched as a wide array of visitors trickled in and out of the hospital room. Some had never met, some wished they’d never met, and others were close friends. But they all had one thing in common—celebrating a new life!
Observing the scene from my chair in the hospital room, I couldn’t help but wonder what the first Christmas may have looked like.
Jesus came later than many anticipated, looked different than most imagined, and spent his first few days on earth in a stable. He brought the biggest gift ever given, in one of the smallest and most unassuming packages.
The shepherds didn’t know Mary and Joseph when they joined to celebrate Christ’s birth. The wise men weren’t friends of the family when they started their journey. From Simeon, to the disciples, to today’s believers … the story of seemingly unrelated people with a shared thread continues.
Christ’s presence unites people of all tribes and tongues.
Regardless of family history, walk of life, marital status, career choice, accomplishments or failures … Jesus offers to unite all of humanity to one family, for one cause. He knows what mankind faces every day on earth—He faced it Himself! And He offers salvation to all who ask!
Max Lucado says:
When God chose to reveal himself, he did so through a human body. The hand that touched the leper had dirt under its nails. The feet upon which the women wept were calloused and dusty. And his tears—oh, don’t miss His tears.
They came from a heart as broken as yours or mine has ever been. So people came to him! Not one person was reluctant to approach him for fear of being rejected.
All month on the 60-second feature, UpWords, Max is leading listeners through Christmas reflections and Scriptures. If you have not yet added the program, now would be the perfect time to do so—may I encourage you to consider it for your station?
