The delight and excitement on this child's face caught my attention and reminded me so much of life with little kids - when everything is new, exciting, and full of wonder.
The way his gaze is lifted up made me think of the night Jesus was born. I imagine the look of this precious child must be similar to that of the shepherds' faces when the angel appeared, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. What an amazing sight that must have been! And then to be told our Savior, Messiah, Lord, had been born and was in Bethlehem (Luke 2:8-12).
Or when the Wisemen saw the star of the King of the Jews and went to visit Him (Matthew 2:1-2). How awestruck they must have been when they saw the star and knew its meaning. On a clear night, I'm in awe of the magnificence of all the stars and the brilliant display created by God. It's hard to fathom how much more glorious Jesus's star must have been or the magnitude of their feelings when they saw it in the sky! Can you imagine?
God sent Jesus, from Heaven, born of the Virgin Mary, in a feeding trough in a stable amongst the animals, and with Joseph to be His earthly father. No warm hospital bed, no nurses or doctors to help with the delivery, or family to ohh, aww, and hold the new child. But the celebration was starting as the angels spoke to the shepherds and praises broke out. Then, as the Wisemen saw the star - imagine waiting for a specific star to shine. Imagine the magnificence it must have had to stand out so much that they KNEW it meant Jesus Christ had been born - born to save us all.
Jesus lived on Earth for thirty-three years, teaching everyone who would listen, then was crucified so that we may be saved. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). And when we believe in Him, He seals the Holy Spirit in our hearts to guide us (Hebrews 1:13).
But that's not the end of the Good News - Christ will come back! "So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him" (Hebrews 9:28).
I know I need to pause and be still much more often, to truly think about Jesus being born and why, and to live with the excited anticipation of His return. I pray in this season of advent, of hope, that we take time to remember the reason we decorate, buy gifts, and celebrate is because the true reason for this season is that Jesus Christ, our Savior, was born.
Wishing you the awe and joy of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
