Merry Christmas

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This is a picture I took this season of a dear friend's little girl.  I love her wonderment at a symbol of Christmas.  Her awe, made me think of the story of Simeon seeing Jesus.  


And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

   "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

    For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

    Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

    A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

I love how it says Joseph and Mary "marvelled" at what was said about their little baby.  Can you imagine what they must have thought and felt?  It boggles my mind when I try to put myself in their shoes.  

It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season.  And in that hustle and bustle are wonderful, lovely and good things that God has given us like family, friends, togetherness and the joy of giving.  Though God has given us these gifts and manifests his love to us through these things, He is not these things.  It's like the difference of looking at a picture of the Grand Canyon and seeing the Grand Canyon with your own eyes in all its beauty - a picture, no matter how lovely, can't ever match the real thing.  So if we only focus on the stuff of the season, even if it's the good stuff, we miss out on the substance of the season and lose the true meaning, wonderment, and deepest joy:  Christ.  The baby in the manger, who was and is the consolation of Israel, the salvation of his people.  My prayer for my home and for all of you is that we would marvel, like Simeon, at the true wonder of Christmas!  


Happy Christmas!!