These passages are familiar; but I invite you to read them like it’s the first time—slowly, with intentionality, with thoughtfulness.
And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:30–33). And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:6–7). For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end (Isa. 9:6–7). And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over into Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger (Luke 2:13–16). When they [the wise men] saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh (Matt. 2:10–11).
Can we bask in these incredible passages of Scripture? An angel with a miraculous message. A virgin birth. A child is born . . . the Messiah. An army of angels singing glory to God! The shepherds, the wise men. They come to see this amazing thing that has happened. They come, and they adore Him. Oh, that in the excitement of these days we would truly adore Him! Oh, that we would pause. And savor Him. What if we would relish the deep, life-changing truth that Jesus Christ changes everything? What if we were like these shepherds and these wise men who understood something miraculous was happening?
Oh, that in the excitement of these days we would truly adore Him!
What if we stole away from the noise, even if just for a few minutes, to adore our Savior? Just a Bible, a notebook, a pen, and the Holy Spirit. For your busy, hurried, excited soul, you may need those quiet moments that reorient your heart and remind you what the celebration is about. In the precious quiet, adore Him for the love that sovereignly orchestrated the plan of salvation. Thank Him for His unfathomable humility in stooping down from His kingly throne to become a frail human. Worship Him for His sinless life, characterized by love, truth, compassion, and an unwavering desire to accomplish God the Father’s will. Bow your heart before Him as you contemplate Jesus on the cross, swallowing every drop of God’s wrath. Weep as you hear Him utter, “It is finished.” Cry out in gratitude, for your sin has been nailed to the cross, and the accuser cannot hold your record against you. Sing hallelujah, because He’s alive. Recount the ways He’s changed your heart, your life. And pray earnestly that His grace would be so alive in your heart that you please Him, serve Him, and cherish Him with your whole life. You may just find that you’d like to linger in the quiet for a little while longer. Come, let’s adore Him, Christ the Lord, together.