There Will Be No End

It seems each year it I find it just a bit harder to slow down and really experience this thing we call “Christmas Spirit”.

Black Friday starting on Thursday, Local Saturday and Cyber Monday have overtaken giving thanks, celebrating a meal with family and friends and enjoying each others company while making memories.

Now, we’re all buried in our digital devices looking for sales, deals and the next thing to buy.

And in the midst of doing, we lose something.

I had a few moments this evening to slow down and it hit me that Christmas is only a week away. My wife and I have talked several times this year about how fast this season is passing by and about how hard it’s been to get into the spirit.

And in the silence of the moment, something whispered to me about the first Christmas.

Maybe Christ chose a manger, shepherds and barnyard animals to tell us something. Maybe, in the midst of a census decreed by the king that required everyone to journey to their hometown, maybe Christ was telling us that Christmas would be chaotic.

Maybe in the stress of tens of thousands of people travelling all at the same time, in the craziness of sold out hotels and no room left in the inn, we’re supposed to see something.

Maybe we’re supposed to notice the simplicity and the beautiful restraint we see when we look at the arrival of the King of Kings not heralded by men, not surrounded by the best doctors money can buy and crowds of newscasters outside, but instead encompassed by the love of a mother and father, watched over by angels and announced to simple shepherds.

Maybe we’re supposed to realize that in the chaos of the season, we need to make time for those moments of silence. We’re supposed to actually remember the birth of the One we sing about. And maybe we’re supposed to remember that the birth of this little baby is simple.

We needed a savior.

Our loving God sent one.

And the earth stood still.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
Isaiah 9:6-7