seeking | Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

It’s Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas – Christmas Eve Monday, December 24

Luke2:7-20 KJV

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The long awaited time is here. People have been running around and getting ready for the big day. We have heard countless songs sung in church, stores, malls, and on our radios and music devices. As the old Christmas song says “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” or is it?

Have you, like the shepherds abiding in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night, been visited in the quiet by the Lord and His holy message through our Advent devotions, worship and through the Holy Word? If you don’t feel like you have been visited, then I encourage you to stop all that you are doing. Throw aside all that has crowded Christ out, so you cannot only look like Christmas but truly SEE CHRISTmas.

Sit at the feet of the Holy Child of Bethlehem, born to a virgin, Mary, and her betrothed carpenter husband, Joseph, found in a manger. Follow the Star in the sky and then sit in the stillness of this night and soak up the gift of Christ, our Savior. Let Jesus, Immanuel, God with us, saturate your soul. Close your eyes and peer into the depths of God’s heart and see it beating, in love, for you and all mankind. Gaze into the glorious grace and mercy that have been poured out to save us from sin and into newness of life with Christ our Savior. Savor the gift of the Savior on this Holy Night and offer thanks to Lord. Now, it’s beginning to look like CHRISTmas!

Lord, God help us, especially this day, to savor the gift of the Savior. Don’t let us be like the world and pass by unaware that You provided all that we need in Jesus Christ. Enable us to be like the shepherds on that most Holy Night so long ago, to go out into the world this night and share that Jesus Christ is born. Keep us mindful that the gospel message is ours to deliver to all that we gather with this Christmas Eve and for the rest of our earthly days. Thank You for provided the only gift we need, Jesus. We pray this all things You desire us to pray, in Christ the Newborn King’s name. Amen.