Just Shine On

Christmas.

It’s not just about the tree, tinsel, presents, possibility of snow, a break from school, or the cookies and eggnog. All Christians know that. 

But Christmas isn’t all about Baby Jesus either. 

Now, before you personally arrange for my excommunication, let me explain!

My family has always celebrated Christmas with the main focus around the story of Jesus’ birth.We keep an advent calendar, set up our own Nativity set, make a birthday cake for Him on Christmas Eve, etc. But here’s the thing: we need to celebrate with the bigger picture in mind!!!  

That baby, born of a young virgin girl, was so much more than He appeared to be.

The picture of humility, innocence, and helplessness, lying in a manger…born into poverty. Yet despite all this, He was the Son of God the Father, a powerful being, in the form of a newborn. The shepherds knew it, because the angels sang His praises. The three wise men knew it, because they saw His star at its rising. But even still…a newborn. That’s what they were looking at. Surely they didn’t know all that was in store for this baby. 

That helpless newborn grew up, and at the age of 30 years old, ventured out on His own, to teach us and spread His Father’s message around the world; a message that is still circulating two millennium later. Three years of teaching ruffled the feathers of some of the High Priests, who ordered for Him to be crucified.    

That baby, after growing up and living for 33 years in this world, died on a cross to save us, as undeserving as we are, from our sinful human ways and give us the chance of an eternity in Heaven. 

So during the Advent season, and on Christmas, we not only celebrate the birth of the Baby Jesus, but the significance of His birth, knowing how the story of His life unfolds.

With the gift of His birth, comes the anticipation of His life, His death, and His Resurrection, which we embrace throughout the Liturgical year.

But most of all, we are shown our Father’s enormous amount of love for us; presented to us as a holy newborn, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.

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