Christmas from the Perspective of (a Guest)

In preparing my heart and mind for His birthday celebration this Saturday, I have been sitting with the Christmas story from the perspective of the different participants.  I know that’s a rather brash thing to do; after all, for centuries far greater scholars and theologians than me have been writing commentaries about our Savior’s birth.  But the very thing that strikes me about this incredible, amazing, jaw-dropping, mind-blowing event, is that it was designed to be a celebration of the people and for the people from its very inception.  God didn’t send His Son to walk among only the privileged few who were wealthy enough or intelligent enough or good looking enough or athletic enough or ….. No, from the beginning of time, God knew that He would send His Son to walk among all mankind; the rich and poor, the king and commoner, the man and woman, the young and old, the freeman and the slave, the righteous and the criminal.  No one was or is excluded from this very special birthday celebration. 

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given. (Isaiah 9:6)

For unto me, a Child is born.  That birthday invitation includes me.  What will I wear?  Who will do my hair and make-up?  And for heaven’s sake, what is the protocol for gift giving?   I am a flawed woman yet deeply loved by God, Himself; so much so that I have been invited to celebrate the birth of a holy child.  His holy child.  I can barely breathe at the very thought of it.  The God of creation has personally invited me to the festivities and all I need to do is RSVP with the words I believe.

Yet the beauty of this birthday celebration is that we can all attend whether we believe or not.  That’s because He came for all mankind.  So when I respond forthrightly with the words Yes, count me in, I will also be rubbing shoulders with party crashers and those prefer who hang out at the fringes of the celebration.  They may claim simple curiosity or boldly state they came just for the food, but they are really compelled by a Love that knows no bounds.  I say “Come one, come all.  Welcome to the party!  It’s gonna be a blast and it’s going last for eternity.”