We have once again entered the season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ the Lord. Many are busy decorating and shopping, cooking and baking…planning for the one day of the year which seems to get the most attention...much unlike that first "silent night" when there was almost no attention. We might think the Sovereign of the universe should arrive with much fanfare but that's not what the Bible teaches about our great Savior…

"...who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men." (Phil 2:6–7)

Have you ever tried to imagine the absolute wonder and amazement in the hearts of those who were there? The Creator of the world is all of a sudden a "helpless baby," cradled in the arms of one He created. Picture for a moment...this young teenage mother as she reaches for the tiny hand that once formed the very stars that fill the sky she is now resting under? Then listen to her exhausted but elated voice, as she looks up at her husband Joseph and whispers, "He's here!"

That night as the little town of Bethlehem slept…God quietly entered history.

Now, some 2000 years later, a lost and dying world vainly celebrates a baby that was born but they do not worship the Lord who has no beginning. Countless people are oblivious to the fact that they are one and the same…the great I AM who came to "save His people from their sins." And while He came virtually unnoticed the first time, everyone will see Him when He comes again to "judge the living and the dead."

As Christians, our motivation should always be Christ, but it does seem that the very nature of this holiday gives more incentive to live the gospel. It certainly provides more opportunities to declare the gospel. This season as we do both, let's pray that God would open the hearts of many to receive the greatest gift ever given, so when He comes again it will be for joy rather than fear that they say...