From the Pulpit: 'For God so loved the world ...'

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.  According to the poem by Clement Clark Moore, we know exactly what is happening on Christmas Eve.

I think the real picture would include a midnight run to the store for a last-minute gift. Perhaps putting the finishing touches on a Christmas tree, icing on cookies, or maybe filling the car with gas for a trip home.

But today, we are about two weeks before Christmas, what are you doing now? Shopping, baking, planning, making that list and checking it twice?

Perhaps a better question would be, what were they doing on this day, 2000 years ago?

What about Joseph and Mary? I am sure they were discussing what would be the best plan? Do we stay together and make that trip to Bethlehem? Do we split up and leave Mary at home? Or, perhaps with her aunt Elizabeth? The journey to Bethlehem from Nazareth is about 90 miles, Mary is already in the “any day” mindset. What do they do? 

The Wisemen? Had the star already risen in the East? Were they already having the debate on what this means? Had someone already suggested to follow the star, see where it went? Or, perhaps nothing had yet changed, and they went about today as they had every day, unaware of the miracle soon to come.

I do know, most of the world had no idea that the Messiah was about to explode on the scene with choirs of angels, and shepherds. And I wonder today, how many of us are getting so caught up in the business of the season, that we miss the true meaning of Christmas?

For God so loved the world, that he sent his one and only son. That whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting, eternal life.

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night:”