The thought started as so many do.
The night was cold and clear, stars shining against a black sky. While Copper, our yellow Lab, sniffed his way around the block, I interspersed my prayers with plans for Christmas. Only seven days ‘til Christmas. Only six days until Christmas Eve… …what else is left to do? Have I bought everyone’s presents? Everything wrapped? Does it matter that I never got Ethan to put the lights along the roofline? When are we going to go visit those sweet ladies from church? Should we bake cookies? Oh! Remember the year we “caned” our neighbors? Maybe we should do that again … but there are only six more days …
Counting down the days to the big day, I have a to-do list that grows exponentially, plus I have demands that already have January staring me in the face. I’ve picked out some gifts that I know are perfect, and I can’t hardly wait for them to be opened. I’m excited and anxious. That’s when it hit me: There was a time when God counted down ‘til Christmas.
There were decorations to coordinate, particularly a star to set in place. There was a musical performance to direct, literally a choir of angels. And, there was a gift picked out, not to be opened until Christmas morning. He could hardly wait. He had picked out a gift He knew was perfect for us. The prophetic time had come. The immortal would become mortal. God would come and live on Earth. He was excited.
The Trinity is still a big enough mystery to me that I’m not sure how the pre-Christmas events would have played out, but I can’t help but wonder how He must have felt. Jesus had already been growing in Mary’s belly for almost nine months. As she grew more and more uncomfortable, did God mull over the plan? Each time the donkey staggered on the way to Bethlehem, did heaven shake? Was Jesus prepared for what he would see? Did he know an evil king would want him dead? Did he know the 12 people closest to him would include a traitor? Did Mary know these things? I’m pretty sure she didn’t.
If you ever wonder why God doesn’t tell you everything, the birth of Jesus is a good example of why you don’t need to know. If, when your baby was on the way, you knew about every scraped knee and broken heart, could you have handled that knowledge? God knew. And, as the days counted down, He had to have been a little anxious. Didn’t He?
Maybe not. The world didn’t stop for Christmas. People were still asking. God was still working. Sin was still present, and the faithful few were still hopeful. As you count down the days for Christmas, stop for a minute and realize God counted down too. He understands your excitement, anxiousness and wonder. He understands the importance of the shiniest tree topper, the best song and the most perfect gift. Just know that your perfect gift could never match His.
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