Christmas is here! All the anticipation and excitement has finally come to a head. Hopefully, all of your last minute shopping has been completed so you can relax and enjoy the big day. Naturally, there will still be a few last minute things to tend to, some packages to wrap, and the big Christmas dinner to prepare.

I don’t know what your schedule looks like, but mine has been busy with family gatherings and Christmas parties. Things should quiet down as I approach Christmas. I am looking forward to our candlelight service on Christmas Eve. I love singing all the familiar Christmas carols, especially “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World.”

We have a gifted soloist in our church and I am hoping she will sing for us. I love a Christmas Eve service because it seems every year that is when Christmas arrives in my heart. I finally get myself quiet enough that I can appreciate the birth of our Savior in that little manger in Bethlehem. Everything else seems unimportant when I realize how much God did to show me that He loves me.

Recently I have been thinking about how much God expected from Mary and Joseph. These two people had a strong faith in God, but other than that they were normal people trying to live out their lives. Each of them independently had to hear from God and then agree to be a part of His plan. God didn’t force them into being the parents of Jesus, they willingly agreed to the task. They accepted the responsibility.

Their reputations must have been ruined. Everyone must have assumed that Joseph was taking responsibility for the child he created. Whoever heard of the incarnation? You know that Joseph must have made a cradle for the baby and other things that Mary would need for their new home together.

All their preparations were messed up when they had to go to Bethlehem because of the census. Weren’t there exceptions for pregnant mothers? They had to travel on foot to Bethlehem, a long journey. They didn’t have time to get back home because Mary went into labor. The baby was going to be born.

Can you imagine their thoughts? God gives them the responsibility to bring His Son into the world and to raise Him. They mess up on their first assignment. They weren’t at home where everything was ready, no, they are in a stable surrounded by animals and unpleasant smells. Even though they had a healthy baby, they had failed to provide the king of heaven with a proper welcome into the world.

Can you imagine their surprise when the shepherds show up with their wild story of angels out in the fields? God knew where they were and He seems to be pleased with them. They had not failed God at all. They just didn’t understand His plans and how they would unfold. They had done everything exactly right, even though it didn’t feel that way.

I think sometimes when we look back on our lives we imagine that we missed or failed God. We thought we were following His plan and then everything went haywire. Unexpected things, things out of our control happened. We are taken down a different path and we wonder, as I imagine Mary and Joseph did, did I miss God or have I failed Him?

The truth is sin can lead us away from God’s plans and purposes for us, but that is the whole reason for Christmas and Easter. God sent His Son into the world to let us know how much He loves us and then demonstrated His love by allowing His Son to die to take away our sins and failures. Christmas comes with so many packages that you will not find under your tree: forgiveness, mercy, grace, peace, and hope. The biggest package is God’s love.

I want to encourage you to receive the greatest gift of all time that you will not find hidden under your tree. Open your heart to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He is a professional at taking messed up lives and creating something beautiful. He has made good plans for your future, which I promise is filled with hope. Jesus was born to tell us of God’s great love. It is available to all who will open their hearts to receive Him.

Contact Doug at doug@dougcreamer.com