12 Days Of Christmas: The Sign

"And you will recognize [the Savior] by this Sign: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."

- An Angel, Luke 2:12

Rabbi Kotzk: "Where is the dwelling of God?'

Students: "What a thing to ask! Is not the whole world filled with His glory?"

Rabbi Kotzk: "God dwells wherever anyone lets Him in."

Anyone reminiscing about Christmas past? Every Christmas I so look forward to the big boisterous  joy-filled celebrations of our Savior's birth -- cathedrals ringing with Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, thundering pipe organs, brilliant stained glass windows, illuminated life-size nativity scenes, children with aluminum foil halos and crooked angel wings busting out "Joy to the World" in the annual Christmas play, and huge choirs singing, "Glory to God in the Highest!" And that's what we expect at Christmas, isn't it? After all, it is the Birthday Celebration of God's arrival on planet earth.

Which is why it was so unusual when a local news channel filmed several police officers going in to remove a homeless encampment in a canyon near our home. There were old sleeping bags strewn about, pieces of plywood nailed together for shelter, empty cereal boxes, discarded water bottles, trash everywhere, remnants of a campfire here and there, tattered coats, pieces of worn clothing. And then....there it was....in the midst of all this clutter, propped up with a large rock, was a scrawny little Christmas tree with three ornaments on it.

The camera almost missed it, but I didn't. And It struck me that while the whole world shouts "Glory to God in the Highest!" a forgotten, nameless, homeless man or woman was whispering, "Glory to God in the Lowest too."

Because The Sign was that the Savior of the World would be born in a manger. Jesus, the Son of God, made the long journey from Heaven to earth on Christmas Day so He could be with you right where You are.

So, if you're thinking that Christmas may not be for you this year because, for whatever reason, you cannot get into the celebration of it all, remember: the true message of Christmas is not just "Glory to God in the Highest" when life's going great, but it's also "Glory to God in the Lowest too"....right where You are.

So, why not whisper, "Merry Christmas, Jesus!"...’cause He's right next to you!

Pastor Harry

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