Christmas Eve: the Christ Child

"And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." - Luke 2:12 ESV

A simple birth, heralded by the angels. A simple birth, witnessed by poor shepherds. 

When my kids were younger, there was always a frantic gift wrapping extravaganza that went on from 10 PM or so, when my ex and I were sure they were asleep, until sometimes 2 AM or 3 AM - just to get everything wrapped and the stockings filled. More than once I taped packages, or filled stockings with my eyes weary from the lack of sleep. Christmas Eve, back then, was less about the birth of the Christ Child, and more about logistics. 

But I've never forgotten the significance of Christmas Eve. This whole concept of God becoming man, and doing so as a helpless newborn, is really challenging to fathom. Oh, sure, 2000 years later it's easier for us to swallow, but it still can be difficult to wrap our head around. This was not man trying to find a way to God: this was - and is - God's way to come to man. In fact, since the Book of Genesis, God has always sought a relationship with us: in Genesis 3:8, God is walking in the Garden of Eden, and in verse 9, He calls out to Adam and Eve, "Where are you?" He has always sought us out, to connect, to become one with Him. 

And this little baby, so frail, so needing help, is the means by which God achieves that oneness - a means to have a relationship with us. And that relationship starts with the angels telling the shepherds where to go, and how to find He who is "...Christ, the Lord." (Luke 2:11b ESV)

On this Christmas Eve, may you hear the call of the Angels, and seek the small baby in the manger, who is Christ, the Lord. 

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