The Dark First Christmas

Wherever you go these days, there are crowds of people. The malls are particularly busy, festive, and filled with shoppers.

The Christmas season is always like that. People get super busy doing so many things: shopping for Christmas trees, lights, decors, gifts, food, preparing for parties, reunions, and other activities that are usually scheduled in December.

* * *

I remember how busy I was last year. When December hit, I started preparing for Christmas. My family was planning a big reunion and I was in charge of so many things. I was also hosting some parties at home and those needed lots of my time, too!

Every morning I would wake up terribly worried about the things I still had not done. 

* * *

Just in time I found a message from a dear friend in my computer. It was an email he sent to all his friends.

He wrote:

Don’t just eat and eat. Don’t just talk and talk. Don’t just run around going from mall to mall. Take some time to think about yourself and God.  

Make the time to be silent before the Lord and rate yourself honestly. In the silence, the light of God will brighten your heart. You will be less worried and stressed. 

* * *

I followed his advice and retreated to the most quiet place in our home. And I really asked myself what is the real meaning of Christmas? Why do people get busy on Christmas? 

I brought out my Bible and read about the birth of Jesus in the book of Luke, Chapter 2. 

* * *

On the night Jesus was born, everything was dark and dreary. There was a decree or law from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be taxed. So everyone went to pay their taxes—everyone into his own city.  

There were no parties, no bright lights, no colorful decorations, no carols. There were no exchange of gifts or school plays. 

There was only great suffering among the people—many of them very poor, starving, uneducated, sick, and abused by their powerful officials.  

* * *

Joseph and Mary (who was about to give birth) traveled long and hard from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, into Bethlehem. Every inn or hotel was occupied so the couple decided to rest in a lowly manger. 

Then elsewhere, like magic, an angel appeared among a group of shepherds watching over their flock. They were afraid, but the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” (The Message)

So the shepherds (poor, working people) ran as fast as they could, and discovered that what they’d been told by the angel was true! They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby Jesus lying in the manger. 

* * *

That was the first Christmas 2,000 years ago. Jesus was born in a dark, dreary world so that His light can shine in the gloom. 

Into darkness came great, awesome Light. That is what we need to remember as we prepare to celebrate Christmas.

Have a blessed Christmas everyone!

* * *

My e-mail: [email protected] My website: http://leavesofgrace.blogspot.com