She was just a girl. Girls weren’t highly valued in her culture, so imagine her surprise to be visited by an angel! The message Gabriel brought was even more amazing. God had chosen her to be the mother of the long-awaited Messiah. She could have said, not me, no way, but she didn’t, she only asked how. When Gabriel explained how, she said, let it be so. And, then it was so. This devout young girl, spiritual mature for her age, agreed to bear this special child without a husband. In spite of the derisions to her reputation and humiliating gossip this decision would bring, if it was God’s will, it was her will. Thus, she will always be known as Mary, the mother of God!

They saw and recorded what they saw. No one could see God and live, so God came in human form and people saw him and touched him and heard him speak. How awe inspiring is that! With all the razzle dazzle surrounding Christmas, can we imagine what it was like when Jesus came to earth, beginning as we all did, as a tiny baby. He came with his own razzle dazzle, choirs of angels and magi with gifts, but also with physical danger from those in high places, both spiritual and human. May we never fail to fully appreciate the significance of this one birth to each of us and to the world.

As I read my latest Advent devotional I glance up at the sparkling lights dancing across my Christmas tree. For many years now I’ve set up a fresh green tree in my living room at Christmas time. However you may view Christmas trees, mine is a symbol of new beginnings, new spiritual beginnings. God has rescued me many times, both physically and spiritually, and to me the tree symbolizes his merciful grace. He didn’t leave me or my family in spiritual darkness, he rescued us. May the whole world come to recognize what the Savior has done to free us all. Praise God for his sacrificial love!

My neighborhood’s aglow with Christmas lights. Many go all out with lawn nativity scenes, snowmen, Santas, and trees and shrubs—all lighted. When you drive by some, you can set your car radio to hear Christmas music. Except for the nativity scenes, all this doesn’t have much to do with Christ’s birth. Christmas is just another holiday to many, but I’m not judging anyone. I’ve come to realize I’m not so special, not better than my unchurched neighbors. Jesus lived and died for me as part of the whole world. These people are my brothers and sisters and will be for eternity. We are the same, all sinners in need of a Savior. The only difference is some of us recognize that and others haven’t yet!

Christmas music is a joy to some and a pain to others. I agree some of the secular music with no connection to anything spiritual can be annoying. On the other hand, our classical radio station plays Christmas music all December long. Most of the music is familiar hymns, but classical pieces such as The Messiah by George Handel are included. Have you ever noticed how much more meaningful the words are when you contemplate the significance of Jesus’ birth. “Oh, Holy Night,” “Joy to the World,” “Oh, Come All You Faithful;” they are so familiar. But when we take time to think deeply about the meaning of the words, they seem new every year.

Do you ever wonder if you’re doing God’s will? Is there something you need to be doing that you aren’t? You look at what you’ve done in your Christian life, and it doesn’t look like much. Your accomplishments certainly aren’t noteworthy. If you think that way, and I have, we’re both right. Because no matter if what we’ve done seems small in our eyes or has made us famous and sent awards our way, it’s what God has accomplished that matters. We can be the most charismatic speaker or persuasive writer, but if God’s Spirit is not involved in our ministry, we are only entertainers. Whether in small ways or great, only God can make a difference in people’s lives.

The dinner guests were startled. Why was Mary kneeling at Jesus’ feet? Then amazement turned to critical disbelief as a jar was broken and a sweet aroma filled the room. After pouring ointment worth a year’s wages on Jesus’ feet, Mary wiped his feet with her own hair. What was she thinking? Some were immediately critical of this embarrassing and costly display of affection, but not Jesus. Only days before his death, he recognized Mary’s sacrificial act not as wasteful but as absolutely appropriate. Would we all be as extravagant in our love of our Savior!

You’ve probably heard the quote, “Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” (Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.) While some read this as Christians shouldn’t be so fixated on getting to heaven that they forget their mission here on earth, others define “heavenly minded” as focusing on God continually as we live out our time here on earth. I agree with both outlooks. Yes, we can become so involved on assuring our own spirituality, we can neglect the needs of others. And, yes, If we fix our minds on Christ and our relationship with him, his concern for others will be the result.

Life is hard sometimes and painful. A couple of my friends have lost sons in the last few weeks and another a younger brother. Two adult sons and a brother, gone way too early. A tragic loss of a loved one, a health crisis, a failed relationship, all can cause grief, fear and anxiety. As the Scriptures say, in times such as these, God is our refuge and strength. Jesus was totally human as well as divine. Our Savior knows how we feel. He suffered loss in his physical time on earth. We don’t know how old he was when Joseph died, but you know he missed his earthly dad. He also lost his cousin John to a tragic death. When life is hard, we can go to him because he understands and grieves with us.

I want to shout, No more bad news! I feel overwhelmed sometimes with each day’s awful news, but I’m not discouraged. We have a day set aside once a year to remember to be thankful. With all the freedoms and material blessings we have, that hardly seems enough. No, I don’t deny the negatives in this world, but gratefulness is an attitude of mind. If we’re not careful we can become fixated on all the bad we see and forget how blessed we are. On Thanksgiving Day, let’s be grateful for the positives in our lives. And, every day, not just on Thanksgiving, let’s be thankful.