December 28. The end of Christmas and the end of the year, but not the end of the story.

Jesus came to earth just as the prophets said, born of a virgin in the town of Bethlehem. This month we’ve read, studied, and listened to insights about every aspect of Jesus’ birth. The Christmas narrative concludes with a simple statement from Luke (chapter 2, verse 40): Jesus “grew in wisdom and stature.”

The Son of God grew and, at thirty, Jesus began His public ministry and showed us the heart of God.

He taught with unprecedented wisdom and understanding. He ministered to the afflicted, healing with power and compassion. Then He died in our place and victoriously rose again. When Jesus ascended to Heaven He left the disciples, and us, with a promise spoken by angels:

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky?
This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven,
will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:11

Christmas is a time of great joy, greater and deeper for those who know the real reason for the season. But our greatest joy is yet to come. Jesus is returning! Rather than announcing His birth to shepherds on a hillside, the angels will accompany Him in all His glory to bring us home.

Our true “Merry Christmas” awaits us.

Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay

Did you ever notice the details of the Christmas story are jarringly humble? A young virgin, a common carpenter, submission to unreasonable authority, an arduous trek, a stable, a manger, lowly shepherds. And then…

Enter the Magi—wise men, kings, visitors from the East, Gentiles. Royalty arrives.

Jesus is not yet two. It is unclear whether the family returned to Nazareth or remained in Bethlehem, but they were unknowingly positioned for an amazing visit. Regardless of their address, a star supernaturally led wise men from the East to their doorstep.

Royalty joined the cast of humble participants in the Christmas narrative. When the kings saw the Christ, they fell to their knees and worshiped Him. Men who were wealthy, learned, prestigious, foreign, and respected, knelt before the King of all kings, presenting Him with rich gifts and highest praise. Isaiah foretold this event hundreds of years prior:

Nations will come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your dawn….
bearing gold and incense
    and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.*

Both the lowly Jewish shepherds and the royal Gentile magi worshiped when saw they the Christ. When we see Him, not on the pages of a book but through the eyes of faith, we also fall down and worship.

Like the wise men, let’s accompany the worship of our King with unrestrained, freely given, generous gifts from our time, talents, and treasure.

*Isaiah 60:3,6

Four hundred years of silence. No prophets. No angels. No word.

Was there talk in the heavenly realms? Did the angels wonder why earth seemed to be disregarded? Peter tells us angels long to look into the things concerning man’s salvation (1 Peter 1:12). Did they realize something momentous was about to happen? What did they feel when they were released from heaven to announce the birth of the Messiah?

I like wondering about these things, but I can only be sure of what Luke 2 tells us—the angels’ joy could not be contained and they erupted into worship.

First came the message from an angel in shining glory:

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;
he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Then, a great host of angels appeared, praising God:

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

He’s here! The silence has been broken. Messiah has come.

May our hearts be as responsive as the shepherds. They hurried off to find Jesus and, “when they had seen Him, they spread the word and all who heard it were amazed.”

Share the shepherds’ message and amaze someone today!