The Wonder of Christmas
By Dan Qurollo
Burke County
Without a doubt, 2020 has been a whirlwind of a year we will most likely not soon forget. Amid all the fear and uncertainty, it is easy to lose our focus on Christ and place it on that which has no eternal value. Added to the craziness of the year, this time of year is often filled with incredible pressure, much of which is self-inflicted. Although many view this time of year with frustration and panic over all that is expected of them, believers are to be governed by a much different perspective.
That perspective centers on a baby born to a young, unexpecting Jewish girl who was betrothed to a man who loved her dearly. When Mary first received the news, she was puzzled as to how this was going to be fulfilled. The angel explained to her, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35) and was reminded, “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). She was filled with excitement and wonder as she ran to tell her cousin Elisabeth what was about to transpire. Her song of praise recorded in Luke 1:46-55 is worthy of careful study.
Though we often think about how unexpected our year has been, the events surrounding the birth of Jesus were most likely not what neither Mary nor Joseph anticipated. She and Joseph were forced to travel to Bethlehem to pay a tax. When they arrived, they were unable to find a room in the inn and were forced instead to lie with the animals. It was that night in those conditions that the very Son of God entered into this world. What a truth to ponder!
After the shepherds came and witnessed that which they had been told, they immediately began telling all who would listen to that which they had seen. I have always been intrigued by the statement that is contained in Luke 2:19 which states, “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” I have often wondered what she thought.
Find some time this Christmas season to get away from the busyness of life and ponder the events we are celebrating at Christmas. It is truly an amazing reality to consider that God took on human flesh to pay the price for my sins. Clearly, it is worth pondering, and it demands our focus.
________________________________________________________________________________
Dan Qurollo is pastor of Morganton Baptist Church. You can visit them online at www.morgantonbaptist.net, on Facebook, or on Youtube. You can read more good Christian news from Dan HERE.
________________________________________________________________________________
