Wonder of Christmas

It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how old I get (not that I am admitting that I am getting old) or how many times I read the Christmas story, that time and time again God takes that same story and brings something new out of it to show me. In my family, since the time I was born, (again, not that that was that long ago) we have been reading the Christmas story every Christmas morning before we open gifts. Over the years my parents would mix it up a bit by using different versions of the Bible or leaving out words and having us fill them in. I'll never forget the year my mom found the Rhyming Bible and I sat there on Christmas morning listening to my mom read the Christmas story while soundling like a full on rap star. Just a few years ago, with my own kids, we found a talking bear that read the Christmas story. So you get the picture right? I have heard the Christmas story many many times as I'm sure many of you have also.

Just a few years ago was one of those years when I was reading through it and something new seemed to jump off the page at me. Something I had never given any thought to in all those (not so many) years.

It was in this passage from Luke chapter 2

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

What leaped off the page was verse 13. "Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others - the armies of heaven - praising God and saying"

It struck me that as I thought back through all the stories of the Bible and times we are told someone was visited by an angel it was always one or maybe two angels. Yet, here in the Christmas story the "armies of heaven" appear to these shepherds.

Here is where my imagination takes over because the Bible doesn't tell us why. But I wondered why in this one instance the sky is filled with angels praising God. Surely one angel and being surrounded by the Glory of God was enough to convince the shpeherds that the message was true.

It just seems to me that what was happening that morning in Bethlehem was so huge, so amazing, such a pivotal point in God's story that heaven just couldn't contain itself. I imagine God sending one angel to tell the shepherds while the rest of heaven leans over the edge watching this story take place and finally God saying "Ok ok go. All of you go get down there!" And heaven just bursting open as the angels flood the sky all wanting to be a part of this moment.

So what about your Christmas? Is December a month when you eagerly await Christ's birth, leaning over the edge just wanting to particiapate in this story? Are you so filled with awe at the birth of Christ that it moves you year after year to praise God?

December can become a pretty crazy month. Trust me, as the owner of a retail business, I understand how hectic December can be. Amidst all the craziness it is easy for the Christmas story to lose it's wonder. Especially if, like me, you have grown up reading the Christmas story every year.

So let me challenge you to find a way to bring back the wonder this year. If December gets too hectic for you, be intentional about finding a time to stop and reflect on the Christmas story. If the Christmas story has become boring or stale to you, find a way to read it anew this year. (May I recommend the Rhyming Bible?)

This moment was so big that heaven couldn't contain itself. Heaven had to celebrate. And I'm just guessing that if this moment could move those who spend every day in the presence of God Himself so much, that it should be a moment that moves us mere mortals even more. This is the moment God came to be in our presence. This is the moment all of history had pointed to. This is the moment God stepped in to redeem His people. This is the moment God so loved the world that He sent His only son.

"Glory to God in highest heaven and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." Luke 2:14 NLT