"There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky! There's a mother's deep prayer and a Baby's low cry! There's a tumult of joy o'er the wonderful birth---for a Virgin's sweet boy is the Lord of the earth! And the Star rains its fire while the beautiful sing -- for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!"
Zacharias was performing his normal and customary duty of the priest's office--burning incense in the Temple--when suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and announced to him such a startling message that he was struck dumb and not able to speak because he believed not the words of the angel! Then, the angel, Gabriel, was sent to a virgin named Mary, and announced to her an equally amazing message, but Mary did not question---she believed and said, 'My soul doth magnify the Lord!'
And so, it was, in the fullness of time -- God's perfect plan -- God's perfect time -- that there were humble shepherds out in the field, under the stars, keeping watch over their flock by night. When suddenly! An angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. And then---because the other angels wanted to get in on this grand and glorious event---there appeared in the starry heavens a multitude of the heavenly host praising and glorifying God! As the shepherds wondered in awe at these heavenly beings, again an angel gave an astounding message; 'Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy'! This very night, in the city of David--God has laid a Baby on the doorstep of your world!
Amazing -- just an ordinary baby! Why would He whose name is called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, become an ordinary baby? He -- who spoke the universe into existence, whose glory fills the heavens, who inhabits all eternity! He -- who made all things, and without Him was not anything made that was made! He -- who is all wise, all powerful, who knows our downsittings and our uprisings, and understands our thoughts afar off! He -- who is clothed with majesty, excellence, glory, beauty and honor!
Why? Why would He willingly leave the glories of heaven---lower Himself to be born as an ordinary baby in humility and shame---with the animals in a smelly manger in Bethlehem? The answer can be found in only one word -- LOVE! It was love for you and me that sent the Saviour! The best known verse in the Bible, John 3:16, says that 'God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. .
What will we give to Jesus this Christmas? There is only one gift we can give to this newborn King, and that is ourselves! May this be our prayer and desire today --
"Take my life, and let it be --consecrated, Lord to Thee!"
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