I love Christmas! It’s my favorite time of the year—from the Christmas lights and decorations, to the parties, to the excitement that fills the air. There is so much anticipation during this season. With all the hustle and bustle, though, it is very easy for us to lose sight of what Christmas is all about. It seems like this season takes forever to arrive, and when it finally does, it goes by in a flash.
As you are reading this, I want you to take some time to really think about what that night was like when Christ was born. In today’s world, when the royal family is expecting a new arrival, everyone in Britain and around the world goes on “baby watch”. There is so much excitement and anticipation as people wait to see the new baby. I remember when Prince George was born, the media was camped out in front of the hospital. People lined the streets, waiting for Prince William and Kate to depart the hospital, hoping for just one glimpse of the new prince and future heir to the throne. As they exited the hospital, everyone was trying to get that perfect photo, and the next day, tabloids around the world announced the birth of the future king. But that was not the case for the little baby who was born the King of kings and Lord of lords.
His arrival was a much quieter one. Now I would imagine, like any baby, he didn’t arrive completely quiet—after all, he was a baby—but maybe he did. But there weren’t millions of people waiting to hear the news if he was safe and well. No one was waiting to document the event and announce his arrival. There was no parade or pomp and circumstance. Instead, it was a very quiet and intimate arrival, a special moment, a humbling moment.
If you think about it, God could have chosen for Jesus to arrive in this world in any manner that he wanted. He could have opened up the heavens and made a glorious announcement of his coming, but instead, he chose a quiet, intimate entrance into this world. To me, I think he did this to exemplify his nature. He is humble, he is kind, he is intimate, and he wants to be personal with us, with me. I think about how personal this experience must have been for Mary and Joseph as they held this tiny baby in their arms who was sent to save us all. What was going through their minds as they looked into his eyes and held his tiny hands?
As you think about this very special day over two thousand years ago, I want you to realize that Jesus wants to have an intimate relationship with you. He isn’t a distant God, he is a personal God. Just like he was so personal with Mary and Joseph, he wants that same kind of relationship with you. He wants to hold your hand when you feel lost, he wants to comfort you when you are sad, he wants to laugh with you and celebrate with you when you are happy; he wants to be there for it all. He already is, but it is up to us to decide how much we want to allow him into our world. He gives us that choice. If you are in a season when God seems distant, it isn’t because he isn’t there. I would encourage you to spend some one-on-one time with him today—his birthday—and see just how much he loves you and all that he desires for you during this brief time on earth. I hope you experience his presence like never before this Christmas and take some time to remember what Christmas is all about.