Advent Devotional: Come And Behold Him

Have you stopped to behold Him yet this Christmas season? I know, it’s a busy time of year. Full of Christmas lists and shopping, wrapping paper and gift bags, decking the halls, endlessly addressing Christmas cards, running to this pageant and that program, feast planning and baking, charity events, trips to see Santa, Holiday light tours, caroling, family get-togethers. All good things. Festive and family-focused. Spreading good cheer to all. There’s nothing wrong with it. I love this time of year.

As I fly around from one item on my to-do list to another, I listen to Christmas music. I sing along as I decorate the tree, hang up the stockings, and decorate the cookies. Inevitability, somewhere amid “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree”, something a little more peaceful takes over my stereo and bids me slow down. Something less festive but more meaningful. Something that tells me to be still and be quiet.

O Come, Let Us Adore Him
Christ, the Lord

In those moments, I’m drawn away from my over-the-top, lights flashing Christmas tree to my simple, wooden nativity set. While I set up the scene and sing along, I’m reminded why I go to all this trouble. I remember why we decorate, celebrate and make such a big to-do. It’s not all for nostalgia and family traditions. It’s not about presents and Santa. It’s not so that our kids can have a fun time. It’s for Him. Christ, the Lord. Our Savior.

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:10-11

The wise men didn’t participate in a gift exchange. They didn’t draw names and set a spending limit and then take turns tearing into wrapping paper and gift bags exclaiming, “Wow! You shouldn’t have!”

Instead, they fell down and worshiped Him. They brought Him costly gifts. Treasures. And they rejoiced over Him with great joy.

They knew He was the Messiah. The One who had been prophesied. This little baby Jesus gave up His throne in heaven to live among men on Earth. Men who would one day kill Him on a cross in payment for their sins (and mine. And yours.) He would grow up to pay our ransom. He would sacrifice Himself on our behalf. We have the ultimate gift, eternal life, because of His great love for us.

Do you ever feel like you’ve heard the story so many times it’s become tired? You know that Jesus is “the Reason for the Season” but you’ve got so much going on and you already know the story, so you just rush past it?

When was the last time you read the account of Jesus’s birth with great joy and rejoicing? When was the last time you worshiped as you sang the old familiar Christmas carols proclaiming His birth? “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (John Francis Wade, 1743) says to “come, and behold Him”. Pay attention to Him. Focus on Him.

And then, adore Him. Worship Him. Give Him glory, honor, and praise. He’s your Messiah, after all. Your Savior. Christ, the Lord.

“O come all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O Come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, Born the King of Angels.
O Come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”

****In all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, how do you keep your heart focused on Jesus? How do you keep your kids focused on Christ? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments.****