It was Saturday. Not just any old Saturday, either. It was the day of one of my very favorite events of the year: my children’s choir was to ring the bells at a Salvation Army red kettle at a local grocery store and sing Christmas carols.
Friday night I was PUMPED.
Saturday morning I woke up sick as a dog. And I mean the kind of sickness where you find yourself worshiping the god of the porcelain bowl – which I did many times before realizing I was NOT going to ring any bells or sing Christmas carols. I made the right phone calls to cancel the event and fell back asleep for several hours.
When I woke up, I was bummed. I had a lingering headache and heartache. I was SAD.
What is a girl to do laying in bed with nowhere to go and no energy for anything except think about the unfortunate situation? I turned on the tv for distraction. I could hardly bear to watch anything that might exasperate my poor frame of mind. My heart was lonely and cold; it needed a little warmth.
Hallmark Christmas movies almost hit the spot as I lay there half asleep-half watching the girl fall in love with the guy while everyone sings “Silent Night.” That about covers the theme of every Christmas Hallmark special, right? Always culminating in a happy ending. Always. You can count on it like clockwork. And sometimes it can help your heart.
Do you know what I realized later, when I was feeling better and in my right mind? There is a very true story, significantly better than any Hallmark movie ever dreamed of being. It is the story of Advent. That is what I truly needed- that Saturday, and every day for that matter. It is the one narrative that brings all of the joy, peace and comfort needed to warm my heart and soul.
from Luke 2:
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 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.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 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.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2 does not simply tell a nice story of a baby being born. Yes, Jesus, came to earth – the Godhead incarnate! It is an amazing, miraculous story of love and sacrifice that we as believers cherish and celebrate.
But, this passage from Luke presents the story of a God who makes promises and keeps them. From early in the Old Testament, since the fall of man, He promised He would send a better King, a better sacrifice- a Redeemer and Savior. And that is exactly what He did. In Luke 2, God kept His promise. There is nothing more hopeful than this : He is a promise-keeping God. He will come again. And when He does, He will redeem every story with His perfect ending. When Jesus comes again to reign, that perfect ending? It will really just be a beautiful beginning of life with Him!
daily portion 