The Messiah was laid in a simple manger tucked away, practically hidden, in the town of Bethlehem. King Jesus came to save the world but HE arrived almost in secret.
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them” (Luke 2:6-7).
When Love was born, it happened in the quiet…
We are at that season in the year when it is all about excitement, joy and merriment. It is that time of the year when we are indulgent and lavish, as we give gifts, parties and so much of our time to family and friends.
And why not, it truly is a time to celebrate isn’t it?
As believers we know the real reason for this season! We know that we are really celebrating the birth of our King – even if the rest of the world may have lost the plot.
We can keep our eyes fixed on The One and not merely be dazzled by the shimmer of the season. We know that this is the time to emulate all that King Jesus did – give extravagantly, love lavishly, and celebrate joyously.
We know why we celebrate; we celebrate Jesus and so we do…as merrily as we can. It is after all the season to be jolly!
BUT…
Do we also celebrate Jesus with Him, one on one – in the quiet – as extravagantly as we do with others?
Are we as indulgent and lavish with our gift of time alone with Him as we are with the gifts we give others?
There’s something to be said about why God loves to love us in the secret place; why He loves to give the deepest revelation of His heart when we are all alone with Him; and why He loves to just be with us, without any agenda.
Over the last few years, I have learnt to love Christmas in a new and quiet way. Ever since my heart soaked in the fact that “God is Love” (1 John 4:8) and Love was born in the quiet, I realised how much God reveres intimacy and quietness.
God loves intimacy with His children so much that He allowed the Love that was born and laid in a simple manger, to be brutally hung on a cross – all because He wanted His children back.
Love was nailed to a cross so that nothing could ever separate God’s children from Him.
That’s how much God loves intimacy with you… and me. When my heart finally knew that through and through, it made me look at Christmas a little differently.
To me, it is a season to give a little more to others – but also to Him who gave me His life;
It is a season to be joyful with others but even more with Him who turned my mourning into joy;
It is a season to give a little more of my time to family and friends but, it is also when I press in for more time with the One who gave me eternity.
As I shop for gifts during Christmas, I always find myself quietly asking what new gift I can give my Jesus, and I always find Him telling me the same thing – “just more of you.”
Ultimately, I think it is what God wants from all His children, a little more of their hearts and a little more of their time…and in return, He gives us ALL of Him.
When Love was born over 2000 years ago in the quiet…it was so that love can unite a Father to His children because…
“nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
Ponder:
This Christmas, what can you do differently to be a little more extravagant with your gift of time to Jesus?
Suzane Avadiar is a writer, blogger and avid traveller. Over the last 17 years, she has written extensively for various publications in the global marketplace. Writing is not only her passion but also her instrument of worship. She has a deep desire to reveal the Father’s heart through her writings, so that every reader steps into their God-given identity. Suzane also writes daily devotions on social media for her church, Destiny C3 Subang. She recently completed her first book, Sent To Journey – Devotions for the Traveller, and is pursuing publishing opportunities. She can be reached through her blog at www.suzaneavadiar.com or on her Facebook page.
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