Christmas reflections

Christmas for me is a time of reflection. I think about the year and how God has been gracious to us in too many ways. I have the challenge of telling the Christmas story to a 2-year old son in a way that he understands.

Two significant Bible passages centered on Christmas that are particularly meaningful to me are:

Written around 700 years before the birth of Christ, Micah prophesies,

2 "But you, O Bethlehem, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me One who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

3 Therefore, Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.

4 He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

5 And He will be their peace"- Micah 5:2-5.

Micah tells us that the Savior will be born in Bethlehem- a small obscure town. He also lets us know that His origins were before creation which is explained more fully in the 1st chapter of the Gospel of John. We are told that the Jews would fall away from God for the next 700 years, but God has something in store to bring them back to Him- a Savior. And finally in verses 4-5, we are promised the hope of peace and security when Christ returns to rule a resurrected earth.

From the promise of Christ in the Old Testament, He is revealed in the pages of the New Testament. Luke tells us,

8 "There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby keeping watch over their flocks at night.

9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

10 But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.

11 Today in the town of Bethlehem a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.'"- Luke 2:8-14.

A humble Savior born in a humble town to humble parents. Good news is proclaimed to all people- rich, poor, man, woman, every skin color and nationality. We have been given a way to know God through Christ.

I conclude with the lyrics to my favorite Christmas song- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen- performed by the Bare Naked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan. If you haven't heard the song, you have to get a copy. I always wonder if the artists performing these great Christmas songs have any idea what the lyrics mean.

God rest ye merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Saviour
Was born upon this day;
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.

[1st Chorus]O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy!

From God our heavenly Father
This blessed angel came;
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name.

[1st Chorus]

[2nd Chorus] O, star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to that perfect light.

Born a king on Bethlehem's plain;
Gold I bring to crown Him again;
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.

[2nd Chorus]

Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and sacrifice,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Worship Him, God Most High.

[2nd Chorus]

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Let Nothing You Dismay
O Holy Child

Merry Christmas,

Ashley Hodge