I’ve
known the Christmas story for what seems like forever. Over the years the
details of this "story" were filled in and it became more than just a nice
story but a biblical and historical account of great sacrifice and miracles
that impact my life personally in an incredible way. And yet, as is the case
with almost anything that I hear/see/watch more than once or twice…I forget the
impact that it once had in my life and it can easily become a nice, familiar
story again.
Maybe
this is just me (although I sure hope not!). We live in a very commercialized Christmas environment…it
seems easy to fall into the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, Christmas
traditions, Christmas baking, Christmas parties, Christmas decorating…and lose
focus of what we’re really supposed to be celebrating and focusing on.
I
find that I need to be intentional about keeping my focus and my priorities…I
don’t WANT to be in a place where I’ve spent all of December caught up in the
whirlwind of festivities and then show up to church for the Christmas service
and simply hear a nice, Christmas story. The Saviour of the world, MY Saviour,
deserves a whole lot more than that.
In
order to keep my heart focused on the birth of Jesus Christ I try to find ways
that keep the story real and alive…last Christmas there was a song that just
made everything come alive as I spent time listening to the words, I wanted to
share it with you. Here are the words so that you can really focus on them:
Glory to God in the Highest
Downhere
On
hillsides of moonlight and shooting stars,
Shepherds keep the late watch on a crisp blue night.
Suddenly the darkness, breaks with full day light,
With hosts of heaven’s angels filling the sky.
"Glory to God, in the highest! now here in Bethlehem.
Glory to God in the highest! the Child who will save all men!"
Rushing to the city, sandal slipping cobblestone,
Find they in the great story, for centuries we've now known.
Pouring out with wonder, the shepherds step outside,
and lift worn hands to heaven singing aloud...
"Glory to God, in the highest! now here in Bethlehem.
Glory to God in the highest! the Child who will save all men!"
Now until He returns, remember this time;
When least of men were given the greatest of light,
That God chose not to glory in wealth, power, fame..
but with the simple and the small he came.
"Glory to God, in the highest! now here in Bethlehem.
Glory to God in the highest! the Child who will save all men!"
How
do you keep the Christmas Story from being more than just a nice, familiar
story?