The First Christmas

Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19

It was in the quiet, early hours of a summer morning that the first cry of life rang out. The gift we had been expecting, hoping and praying for had arrived. God in His grace had lavished upon us a gift too wonderful for words. A grandson named Swen.

As my body prematurely ages and breaks down, Swen’s body grows stronger. His life refreshes my soul. This will be his first Christmas and my best. Whether I spend Christmas in the hospital or at home, I am blessed beyond my imagination. Every time I see Swen’s smile, hear his giggle or hold him in my arms, I will remember God’s astonishing gift of His son… Jesus!

God’s gift - the divine wrapped in flesh. The One who has always been, steps into time and is born. The mighty King of Kings leaves His throne to lie in a rustic manger. Swen has provided his Grandpa Van a new lens to see the gift of God, His only Son. I have decided, like Mary, to treasure up all these things, pondering them in my heart.

God has given me the following thoughts to ponder each of the 7 days leading to Christmas. Thanks Swen for all the help.

1- As the baby Jesus gasped for His first breath, I acknowledge that every breath I take is His gift to me.
“Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7
“And when the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’” Mark 15:39

2- Eyes that struggled to see His parents have been watching over me all my life.
“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9.

3- Mary holds the baby close to her breast and feels the heartbeat of life. This is the life that now lives in my heart. This Immanuel, God with us, will one day be the mystery of God, Christ in Us.
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23
“…to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27

4- The mouths that now can only utter unintelligible noises will declare the Wisdom of God.
“And the Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” Luke 2:40
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” Romans 11:33

5- Soft little hands, that will have the calluses of a carpenter, created all things. Tiny hands that disappear in His father’s hands are so large they easily hold the waters of the whole earth in His palm.
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span.” Isaiah 40:12
“He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created by Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:15-16

6- Arms that reach out to His mother will be strong enough to carry His cross. He will allow Himself to be nailed to the cross so that He might reach out through history to embrace us in His mercy and grace.
“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53: 5

7- Tiny feet that now cannot take a step, will walk all the way to the place of execution carrying our sins. This is the path to intimacy with God. It runs from the manger to Golgotha. A holy journey planned before the foundation of the world. God already loved the whole world. You can see His love in His footsteps of humility, sacrifice, and obedience.
“Who emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:7-11

This Christmas, make time to treasure in your heart the baby who is King. Be careful, illumination leads to seeing the extraordinary in life’s ordinary. Luke chapter 2 shows me that receiving God’s gift leads to praise, rejoicing, witnessing, wonderment, and worship. Who knows, you might even hear the sound of angel wings and receive a personal invitation to see God’s miracle of love.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Dan