Faith Fridays- The All of Christmas

God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is love; the radiance of Christmas, which is purity; the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice; the belief in Christmas, which is truth; the all of Christmas, which is Christ.
                                                                -Wilda English

Blogs across America and the abroad are typing about Christmas.  Every stereo in stores (save Macy's) is playing a Burl Ives classic.  These are all good things- moments that add joy and a spirit that is true to this season.  But I can't help but think of this baby Jesus, lying in Joseph and Mary's arms, with the whole world on His shoulders.  Does He know that He will save the world?  Do Mary and Joseph truly understand the glory of their son?  It is so fascinating and humbling that it brings tears to my eyes.  Sweet, baby- sweet crying, hungry, wet, baby Jesus.

The lowliest shepherds heard it first, that Jesus was coming.  A sign that God has sent His son for everyone- the high, the low, the lowiest, the loveable, the unloveable, the rich, the poor, the strong, the weak.  Jesus came for you.  And you.  And you.  And yes- even you. 

Are you feeling pain or hurt this Christmas?  Have you lost a loved one, or are you feeling alone this Christmas?  There is a little baby who was born so that He could die for just this burden you are feeling right now.  We celebrate His birth this week only because of the rest of his life which revealed to us that He is the savior of the world! The burden carrier of the world!  The burden carrier for your burdens that you feel right now.  Matthew 11:28 tells us If you lay your burdens at His feet, He will give you rest.  It makes sense that Christmas is such a time for peace and rest, because it is what God wants for us!

Dwell on this sweet baby; his tiny fingers and toes, his little cries for his mommy.  This sweet baby boy, born in Bethlehem.