Celebrating the Messiah

That's right. Christmas is a celebration, a remembrance, and promise of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Each year we remember the historical events that lead up to the birth of the Savior of the world...a meager and quite humble birth in the feed trough of a stable. Not quite up to AMA standards in birthing procedures, and yet isn't that just perfect! The one who is above all standards, above all rules and regulations that we put in place, was born below those standards.

Jesus Christ came down to earth those many years ago. Born to his unwed mother Mary, who almost got 'tossed out' by Joseph. Born in a manger because there was no where else to be born - no family, no money, no means to find a place in Bethlehem. How glorious! Wrapped in cloth that probably wasn't pristine or newly woven, sanitized with Woolite, or smelling of baby powder. How beautiful! With the stench of animal waste and general dirt, along with the sound of mooing cattle, donkeys, etc...(no real idea of what animals were present- just use your imagination.) How incredible!

Incredible indeed, because you see Jesus was born amidst the mess and the muck of the world, just as Jesus comes to us amidst the mess and the muck of our daily lives! Right now! Today and everyday. Jesus comes to us. Have you seen him today? Have you heard him today? He comes to us everyday and says, "I am with you. Come and see..."

That's the Christmas story we forget...that Jesus came down, right here on earth, as a human. Born in the most wretched of places - a feeding trough for an animal. He lived a humble life with his parents and family, and then wandered the area with his disciples, often being taunted, threatened, and ultimately killed for bringing the message of hope and salvation to all the world. And Jesus came back at the resurrection to remind us that we are not alone, and that God is at work in this world, God is at work through even those who would kill him.

God is at work in all of us and comes to us still, each and every day - whether in a baby, or a conversation with a friend, or a random encounter with a stranger on the street. Christ continues to come to us, right here on this earth, just as the little baby in the manger, and he is saying, "I am with you. Come to me. Come and see!