Christmas Thoughts

As it is Christmas Eve, and almost Christmas, I found myself thinking. I was thinking that despite the craziness of life and all that is going on right now, the Christmas season is a somewhat peaceful and calm time of year. Well, it should be anyways...Maybe some will disagree with me. There always is the craziness of unplanned emergencies or sickness, trying to get those last gifts bought and wrapped, and trying to get the house ready for visiting family. And yet, it the midst of that when you just sit back and think about Christmas and what it means, it can be calm, peaceful and beautiful.
As I sit here writing this post, my mind is going back to that lowly stable that night. I doubt that Mary and Joseph were experiencing anything but peace as they made the final leg of their journey to Bethlehem. Mary was about to have a baby and Joseph was frantically trying to find a place for them to stay and where Mary could give birth to the Savior of the world. There was no room for them in any of the inns and they took shelter in a dirty stable. I think though that after Jesus was born, and Mary sat there holding him and looking into his little face, that she must have felt not only wonder and amazement, but also peace of heart. But those are just my thoughts. Imagine it though, holding the savior,,,,YOUR savior in your arms as a tiny new born baby knowing that one day that little baby would grow up and die on a cross for the sins of everyone ever to live. What a feeling that must have been!
My church had a Christmas eve service tonight and at the end, we all had little candles and as they were lit, we stood and sang "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World". The lights were off except for the ones over the stone wall where an oak cross hangs. As the candlelight flickered and voices sang in unison, It truly was a lovely and peaceful moment that I think will stand out in my mind for a long time. Life has been busy and even stressful at times as of late, but in that very moment, I felt peace and contentment as we sang about Christ's coming. I am so thankful that God sent His Son so that by Him we might be saved. That most certainly is the most wonderful gift of all.
So this Christmas season, even if there are difficult times, maybe even stressful times, I just want to encourage you to sit back for a moment and observe and remember what Christmas is truly about and about the peace that we can have through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. It in Him that we can find peace which transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Merry Christmas!