Christmas has always been a special time for me. As a child, the anticipation of Christmas morning was almost more than I could bear. When I was about six years old, the only thing that I desired under the tree was a sled. I am not talking about the cheap, flimsy plastic sleds that you can buy today at the dollar store, but a wooden sled with metal runners and a handle to help you steer around the trees and over ramps. I had asked Santa to bring me this, and I just knew he was going to do it.
My brother and I shared a room in the basement of our home while my younger brother and sister stayed upstairs closer to our parents. About 4 a.m. I was awakened by Tom shaking me.
“Santa has been here!”
“Did you see him?”
“No, but I think he may have brought us something.”
“Really? What?”
“I think he brought us sleds.”
“How do you know?”
“I think I may have gone upstairs and looked!”
There was no more sleep for us that night. When the first light came, we ran up the stairs and saw our new sleds under the tree with a bow on them. Moreover, it started to snow outside! I could not wait to try out my new sled. I had it all planned out. I would go to my drawer and pull out my long johns, my good jeans with no holes in them, two pairs of thick socks, and a heavy shirt. After dressing, I would complete my outfit with my rubber snow boots, gloves, my red and yellow Chiefs stocking hat with the fuzzy ball on top, and my heavy winter coat. We would sled and play in the snow until our legs were bright pink from the cold. When we came inside, my mother would warm us up with a steaming mug of hot chocolate.
All my thoughts were destined to take place, but first, we had to finish our Christmas traditions. We opened the other gifts that included new clothing and books to read, and then we would all sit down amidst the unwrapped gifts and chaos while my father would pick up his Bible and read from Luke and Matthew the story of Christmas. I really loved the story, and I believed it, but this Christmas morning, my thoughts were about snow, hills, and hot chocolate.
As I have grown, the gifts and festivities around Christmas still carry a lot of joy for me, but unlike my younger self, the story has grown more precious and more meaningful. I can’t deny that the telling of that story around the Christmas tree brought me closer to Jesus. It was through the telling of these stories that I came to know Him as my Savior. That is why we still tell the story around the Christmas tree today. Amid all that is happening during the Christmas season, we find a baby lying in a manger. That baby has meant so many things to so many different people.
A group of shepherds heard about this baby and rambled in from the fields to find Him. What did they find when they saw Him? They found their Savior and their Messiah. Their joy could not be contained! They believed!
Some educated magi from an eastern country were told about this baby through a star. They journeyed hundreds of miles of harsh terrain to find Him. What did they find when they saw Him? They found a king. They bowed down and worshiped the child and gave Him gifts. They knew there was something special about this child. They believed!
A righteous man named Simeon was led to this baby through the Holy Spirit. He had waited all his life for this child. He now held the baby in his arms. What did He find? He found peace and salvation. He lifted up the child and praised God. He believed!
A woman of over 100 named Anna came across the baby at the temple. She had been fasting and praying for 84 years. What did she find when she saw the child? She found redemption and hope. She thanked God and shared with everyone the news of this child. She believed!
What do you find when you come to this child in the manger? Is He your Savior, your King, your Peace, and your Redemption? The hope of the world was sent to us and was laid in a manger. I hope you believe!
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Rev. Jon Huebner is pastor of Mt. Airy Baptist Church in Mt. Airy, Georgia. He can be reached at jonmhuebner@gmail.com. To read more inspiring, faith-filled columns, click here.
