Believe in a Baby

We have an obnoxiously loud, talking nativity in our house that my daughter likes to play again and again and again. But at times, even our story-shouting manger seems to be drowned out by "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" and continuous Justin Bieber (this song is really on again?!)

What are we actually celebrating? I remember as a kid finding out about Santa and feeling like the whole world had deceived me. I naturally started wondering if the whole baby in a manger thing was some big fairy tale too. It's easy to understand how a child might assume such a thing, what with story of the North Pole somehow mixed in with the story of Bethlehem. Even for an adult, the fantasy of the holidays can become dangerously jumbled with the miraculous Truth. And while Santa might be a fun way to celebrate God's love at Christmas time, the greatest gift in the history of mankind came as a tiny baby over 2,000 years ago. And it's that same gift that gives us hope this Christmas.

Our pastor suggested to us this Sunday that for the next week leading up to Christmas, everytime we see or pass by a manger or nativity scene (even if it is juxtaposed with a flying reindeer) we should actively remind ourselves,

"It is true." 

Luke's "carefully investigated" "orderly account" states: 

..the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”-Luke 2:10-12

It is amazing. It is miraculous. It is our eternity... and it is true! This Christmas I pray that you can be very merry in knowing that God sent Christ for you. 

"Thank God for his gift too wonderful for words!"

- 2 Corinthians 9:15

Merry Christmas!