The night before the Eve of Christmas

Christmas has been on our minds for weeks, perhaps months. And, here we are on the threshold of that wonderful day. And, what does it find us all doing?

I have to admit I love Christmas. But, this year, I don’t even have my Christmas tree up, and it’s only a little over 24 hours until Christmas morning. The gifts for the family are bought, but they are all still in the shopping bags, just waiting to be wrapped. I just have not felt like getting to the task of wrapping all those gifts. And, there are a million and one other things I need to do – clean house, cook, and I do not feel like doing any of that.

Have you ever looked forward to a time, and, then, as it approaches, what you had planned doesn’t seem all that important anymore? Christmas should be the happiest time in our lives; yet, we spend days, weeks, even months sometime in order to see what we can buy for others that will make them happy. And, now that those gifts are bought, we realize this is not what really makes us happy. Oh, we love to see the looks on the children’s faces when they open their gifts. And, it makes us happy to be able to surprise them. But, even those there is an element of happiness in gift-giving at Christmas, it is not the ultimate happiness that man has waiting for him.

Can you imagine yourself with a wife about to give birth, and be without a place to stay? Can you imagine the stress put on Joseph when he found out about Mary’s situation – what he must have thought and gone through during that time?

Christmas is the time of year we set aside to celebrate that eventful day thousands of years ago, in a stable in Bethlehem, without the conveniences we now have – no running water, no soft bed, or niceties for the newborn baby boy. There, alone, Mary and Joseph welcomed the little baby boy into the world. But, the world did not know this baby would soon become the Saviour for this world. I wonder, had they known, would they made room in the Inn for Joseph and Mary? Or, would the world have turned their backs on this family, just as lots of the world have today turned their backs on that soon-coming King?

As Christmas approaches, take time to celebrate the reason for this season – the birth of Jesus. Mary and Joseph were fortunate to be chosen to be the earthly parents for the child who would soon become their Saviour, as well. What a privilege for that couple to know that God had personally chosen to send His only Begotten Son to earth through Mary. Oh, I am sure it presented many problems for not only Joseph, but for Mary, as well.

• Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

• Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

• Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

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Conservative Cat

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