Tuesday, December 14, 2004
The First Day of Christmas
Today is the first day of Christmas.
“On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree.”
I am not real sure how to incorporate the partridge/pear tree thing, but this year I am going to enjoy TWELVE days of Christmas. When my children were in their teenage years and some of the wonder of Christmas had worn off I decided to give them gifts for 12 days of Christmas. This became a real challenge to do without spending a fortune, but they got candy, socks, yo-yos, paddle balls and other inexpensive things. Part of the fun was I would make it a scavenger hunt. They would get numbered clues and have to find their gift. It truly was fun for all.
We have some hidden gifts in scripture that are fun to find, consider the ordinary shepherd in Luke 2: 8-17
There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
I would love to have been a shepherd that got a telegram from an angel and a singing telegram at that. Something about the angelic choir calmed these men. They went from being terrified to running to find Mary and Joseph. Can you imagine a host from heaven singing praises to God for your benefit. I love verse 17 in the Message “Seeing was believing.” I want to see with the eyes of faith. I want to see Jesus. This year that will be what my Christmas is about.
“On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree.”
I am not real sure how to incorporate the partridge/pear tree thing, but this year I am going to enjoy TWELVE days of Christmas. When my children were in their teenage years and some of the wonder of Christmas had worn off I decided to give them gifts for 12 days of Christmas. This became a real challenge to do without spending a fortune, but they got candy, socks, yo-yos, paddle balls and other inexpensive things. Part of the fun was I would make it a scavenger hunt. They would get numbered clues and have to find their gift. It truly was fun for all.
We have some hidden gifts in scripture that are fun to find, consider the ordinary shepherd in Luke 2: 8-17
There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
I would love to have been a shepherd that got a telegram from an angel and a singing telegram at that. Something about the angelic choir calmed these men. They went from being terrified to running to find Mary and Joseph. Can you imagine a host from heaven singing praises to God for your benefit. I love verse 17 in the Message “Seeing was believing.” I want to see with the eyes of faith. I want to see Jesus. This year that will be what my Christmas is about.
