Most Blessed Christ-Child, in my mind today I envisioned a stable in the side of a mountain. The manger, in which You were to be placed, was empty in anticipation of Your coming on Christmas Day. As I contemplated the empty manger, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of hopelessness and emptiness that existed before Your coming. A time of darkness where happiness was sabotaged, men’s dreams were lost (or at least set aside) and the courage to persevere abandoned them. Except for a brief flicker of hope, that a Savior would come to deliver those who were oppressed and downtrodden, darkness covered everything. Life was more an ordeal than a pleasure … work seemed oppressive rather than fulfilling … joy and happiness were seen as something impossible to achieve. Sin filled the earth and kept men captive … death held no hope … and, man’s attempts to redeem himself were in vain.
And then on a cold, dark night, You came wrapped in swaddling clothes and born in a stable. Not at all the picture of the King who those awaiting Your appearance expected. Not a fire-brand of warrior who would lead the captives free. Instead You, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, came as a simple human in every way. You appeared so tiny, fragile and helpless … not at all a Majestic King or Army General. You, the one who came to save His people, needed to be cared for and watched over. But You were a radiant child, glowing with love and tenderness. When the shepherds came to praise You and the Wise Men to give You gifts, they knew You were special and they sensed the importance of what was happening. Your humble parents looked upon You with tenderness and admiration because they knew the importance of Your birth and the special mission to which You had been called.
Your Heavenly Father sent You as a personal message of “peace on earth, good will to all.” Angels welcomed Your coming and the sky was aglow with the wonder and majesty of what was happening. Your face shown with a light that filled the darkness and Your message of peace and good will filled the earth with hope of better days to come. You came to earth on Christmas Day to save me (and all men) from Satan’s power and the shackles of sin. Through the unselfish gift of Yourself, came love and with it comfort and joy. In Your comfort, I found relief from my mental and physical distress and I grew in strength and hope. My grief and feelings of loss were replaced with a positive outlook, perseverance and hopefulness. In my heart, joy abounded … I became excited … and I expected good to fill my life. Through Your comfort and joy, I am a better person today. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Romans 10:15 How beautiful are the feet of them who preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things (excerpted from Isa 52:7).