How Do You See the Christmas Story?

How do most Christians view the story of the Savior's birth? How do you really view it? Of all the miracles in the Bible, I've always found that the virgin birth is the hardest part for many to believe. Why? If you believe our God created everything that exists, if He has that kind of power, if nothing is impossible for Him, then He can certainly cause a virgin to have a holy child.

"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.... Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:30, 31, 34 & 35).

Apart from that bit of unbelief, another problem seems to be that some of us have grown up in church. From as far back as we can remember, we've heard the Bible stories. Every year, year-in and year-out, we've listened to and often seen the Christmas story and the Easter story acted out. Have we lost the wonder, the awe, the majesty? Has it all become so

common place that we have a ho-hum attitude? Do we just go through the motions of another Christmas season without really thinking about what a great sacrifice this was on God's part and the great gift it was for us?

"And there were in the same county 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 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" (Luke 2:8-11).

Take time to meditate on these things. Most Christians probably don't spend enough quiet time before God, meditating on Him and listening for His message to us. Pray that He will help you approach the Christmas story with the heart of a child and the understanding of those early church leaders who wrote our New Testament. And take time this Christmas season to enjoy the glorious wonder of it all.

"And when they [the wise men] were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him...." (Matthew 2:11a)

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