The Reality of the Nativity Story

Have you ever spent time really thinking about the reality of the nativity story?

Like the logistics of having a baby, as a teenager, in a barn, after riding a donkey for what, 3 days?  I won't get into it, but come on...just think about it.

Today I was hit by another reality of this glorious moment in history.  It came from listening to Christ centered Christmas songs.

The First Noel:
"They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night"

O Holy Night:
"A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees"

Let's think about this... it's been 400 years of what seems like silence (from Malachi to Matthew) and trudging along, keeping the promise of a coming Savior alive.

Take a second and put yourself here.

How often do we tire in our waiting for a promise, or for a breakthrough, or for a hope to be realized?  GENERATIONS have waited... have hoped to get to be alive to see this long promised Savior.

That silence, that deferred hope, that waiting and wondering... it resonates with me, deeply.

When I truly grasped this reality, it hit me hard.

Can you feel the thrill of hope at the Savior's birth?  Can you imagine being one of that weary world?  Can you imagine what that next morning would feel like?  Waking up to a new world?  One LITERALLY FILLED WITH HOPE!!  One would HAVE to fall on your knees.

And then to have such a far reaching sign.  A star, so bright you can see it in the day time!!  Reality check, no lights...EVERYWHERE is dark on the night of Christ's birth.  And then FLASH!  Then this star appears.  Sometimes I have wondered, how did these "wise men" see one star and decide it needed to be followed like a rainbow w/a pot of gold?  Well, one word, reality!  The only lights at night are what fires are lit and the moon and stars.  And to have a star so bright you can see it in the day, suddenly flash in the sky, who could miss that?

Let's just think about this... From a weary world, full of darkness to one filled with hope and dazzled by light.  My heart swells, I can't help but get choked up and feel so blessed to be one who not only understands, but believes and walks in this hope, light and love every moment.

Please take a moment to let the reality of our Savior's birth sink in.  Sing these songs of stories with your children, it's not just a "birthday party" for baby Jesus, it's a  celebration of a new world, a new life and all consuming HOPE!!!