One of my favourite Christmas memories involves my brothers and me running out early Christmas morning only to discover very little under the tree and my parents nearby with smiles on their faces as though keeping some secret. I’m not sure who noticed the keys hanging amongst the branches, but one of us plucked the Honda key ring from its perch. When we looked out the window, a brand new Big Red Trike sat in our driveway. The trike provided our family with years of adventure and my children rode it through the ditches and wilderness too. The memory reminds me of a different gift, one promising to bring peace and joy, not temporary, but carrying on into the everlasting …
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But 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.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:1-14 NIV
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s!