Wow!

The day comes when all of the waiting and wondering are over. The event happens, the news is received, something begins or ends.

“and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She [Mary] wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them” (Luke 2:7NIV).  Mary delivered her baby.  No news media or social media.  No family or friends. Not even in a room. It may have been in a stable or a cave.  Talk about being underwhelmed – this could not have been what Mary was expecting! Her baby’s first bed was a manger however, no amount of thinking or conjecture would have resulted in a letdown for Mary. Certainly, the accommodations may have been less than desired, but what happened next was nothing short of WOW!

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests’” (2:8-14).

Now that’s what I call “breaking news!” Can you envision the experience the shepherds had – how unexpected, how frightening, how incredible? And they responded – “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger” (2:16). What must it have been like for Mary to hear the story of the angelic message? Her waiting and wondering became the “wow” that is beyond words.  “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (2:19).

Whatever the situation, whether good or bad, the time comes for us, like the shepherds and Mary, to respond.  Did the Christmas meal prep, gift giving, family dynamics, or busyness of the season somehow take away from the message of God’s love given to us in Baby Jesus? He grew to be the man who would sacrifice his life that we may have life. Or … did you once again treasure this gift in your heart?

We always have a choice in how we react to a situation.  How will the “news” or remembrance of Christ’s birth impact your life today? Will it cause you to love better, to be kinder to others, to live with hope? I pray this would be so because when we consider God’s love for us … WOW!

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