Luke 2:6 – And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she would be delivered. (KJV)

I received a long-distance call from a friend a while back. She was awaiting news of the birth of her first grandchild and, lest she be tempted to call and check on the progress every so often, chose to call and talk to me. We managed to avert her temptation for almost an hour.

I remembered the impending birth of our first child. I had called my husband at work, telling him it was "time". He dashed home, dashed in the door, said "I'm here!", and dashed out to the car, leaving me on the doorstep, mouth open, and little suitcase by my side, as he called nervously in his excitement "Hurry, we have to get to the hospital, you're going to have a baby!"

Awaiting a birth is a time of great emotion. We are excited, distracted, happy, nervous, apprehensive, in awe. The list is long, the reasons varied. It was no different during the days leading to the birth of Christ and it is no different today, awaiting the celebration of His birth.

We are excited at the thought of being together. We are tempted by commercials to buy certain products. We plan Christmas parties and carol singing; we bake, buy, and decorate. We dash here and there to get everything done, sometimes leaving the reason for Christmas "on the doorstep with the suitcase".

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, as we dash about during this busy season; as we are tempted by the commercialism; as we ride the roller coaster of emotions such as joy, frustration, love, and sadness; as we feel we are overworked and maybe under-appreciated; as we fear we have overspent; may we take time to remember the real reason we have a Christmas: to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and all the blessings bestowed upon us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Mary Daniel <marydee@shaw.ca>
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Send your feedback to the author