Jesse Tree Devotional for December 25th

December 25

Jesse Tree: Birth

Today’s reading: Luke 2:6-21
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

The entire ocean of history, rises, surges, crests to this pinnacle in time. The beads of days have been strung and accomplished. The delivery, the culmination, is imminent. The ages hardly breathe before this bringing forth.

Angels come. Tidings are brought. Everything that has breath rushes to see this thing which has come to pass, this birthing of the cosmos into New Life.

Like the shepherds, we come with haste, hardly hoping, wild to see. And we find You, YOU, God with us, not in electrifying, intimidating, frightening majesty, but as a newborn, waiting, wanting, to be held close. We come, bow low, and embrace the baby, this God, who has saved us and redeemed the sweeping expanse of the Universe.

We hang the star at the top of the tree. The symbols are now all hung. We have read God’s breathtaking story----there is none like it. Like the shepherds, we enter into the dance of Creation, glorifying and praising God for all we have heard and seen this Advent.

The angels eventually return to heaven, the shepherds disperse with the news. But we, we are like Mary, who did not leave but kept all these things. We too keep You, Jesus, the most exquisite gift ever given. Long after the tree is packed away, You, Lord Jesus, remain at the height of our thoughts. We ponder You, Jesus, in our hearts all the year round.

You have come.

Please stay.

Merry Christmas, indeed.