We rapidly move into this time of year where our focus changes. If we are young, then rampant excitement! Parents of young ones? Well, stresses begin to create the best experience. As we age, well, I can simply say it’s a quiet time of the year and I relish the easier pace!
The following song is from Charlie Brown’s Christmas. The words are here, and below I’ve included a YouTube recording for you to listen to. With my hearing issues, I find it easier to read the words while I listen to music!
Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio)
Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year
Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share
Sleighbells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there
Christmas time is here
We’ll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Sleighbells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there
Christmas time is here
We’ll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
What Does Christmas Mean to You?
If you are observant, then you noticed the big box stores slipping Christmas decorations into the mix, say, back in September! The songs sweep through the airwaves, and about Thanksgiving time they are non-stop.
For some, it’s simple. Check the attitudes! Am I being naughty or nice? Maybe I need to improve my approach! We write out our shopping list. Who do I have to buy for vs who do I get to buy for? Then we think about what we would like ourselves, and hints start flying!
Kids make their list, parents read over their shoulders and plan!
Then, we pull out those annual recipes… Ugh… Egg Nog… Raw eggs? Really? Yum…Cherry Nut Loaf! Heated with a chunk of fresh hot butter! Calories! I have a memory of Christmas Cookie trays and there were some favorites. I had to look it up, but my favorite was Vanillekipferl (German Vanilla Crescent Cookies).
Some focus so heavily on the atmosphere of their home… I’m just saying. They must really enjoy Winter! Sleighbells, frosting, tinsel, fake snow, heavy coats… Our homes become seasonal themes! Thanksgiving is packed away and Christmas loads up the vacated space.
If you are like me, as soon as you put up anything (think Christmas Tree) you can hardly wait for the season to vamoose and it all gets packed away! In fact, burning the dried out Christmas Tree in the backyard was tons of fun!
If we could simply put the season into perspective.
It’s not that Christ was born on December 25th, we truly have no clue… But we include manger scenes to keep the season filled with purpose, even if we celebrate the glitz and glamour more than that quiet Shepherds barn. Then, we pull out the slogans to keep our attention focused away from the buying frenzy…
Jesus, the Reason For The Season
Silly Santa, Christmas is about Jesus
Christmas Joy Truly Begins With Jesus
Keep Christ present in your Christmas (No X-Mas)
Jesus is the Light of the World
Jesus is for Life, not just for Christmas
The Manger, the First King Size Bed
…This is a long list!
Hence, I got to thinking about our Christmas Wish List…
Christmas Wish List
Since my focus is about the true meaning of Christmas as is biblically recorded, I want to lay aside the focus of the seasonal bottom line stores that make or break their season based upon how much you spend with them! The toy drives, food banks, homeless shelters – all have a great plan to remember those among us less fortunate, but when we focus heavily upon these actions and forget Christ? Well. You get what you wish for!
Those early days of promise and blessings and instructions to Mary and Joseph. Think about their choices of life? What do you think they wished for?
The wise men searching for fulfillment of prophecy. Their wish? Or the owner of the inn? His wish? How about those shepherds in the fields at night? What was their wish?
Of course, we cannot put thoughts into their minds, but we can study their response to the time period. What I want to focus on? The angels…
Angels Wish List
You know the story. The shepherds are watching over their flock in the fields around Bethlehem. It’s night time. Suddenly, an angel appears, the Glory of God shines around them, and a declaration is made!
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:10-13
Imagine the moment. It is no surprise to the angels! They’ve been around the plan of God since the beginning. John the Revelator paints the pictures of creatures flying around the throne of God, crying, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty. Who was and is and is to come!” (Revelations 4:8). This is additionally an equal prophecy from Isaiah in the year that King Uzziah died. (Isaiah 6:3) Regardless, this is something easily seen in the glory world of God where the angels are part of His plan!
Though not surprised, they are called to the moment to reveal God’s plan to simple shepherds that night!
But it does not end with this declaration by a single angel! Suddenly…
And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
(Luke 2:13-14 NKJV)
How many were there? A multitude! From Greek, we get this image: “a fulness, a large number, throng, populace”… Could it be simply that all the angels were involved in this multitude? Possibly. Imagine the moment from the shepherds!
Angels Hymn
Imagine with me for a moment. The angels are called to reveal this night to mankind! If they could call upon their repertoire of knowledge and say something most important, what would it be? If they could share words of wisdom with the shepherds, and us today, what would they say?
I like to think these words are the first heavenly words shared with all of us, hence, they are the words most important for us to hear.
Could it simply be this is their Wish List for us to garner the full intent of the miracle? I like to think so.
These words are important! They show up throughout our Christmas Carol’s. Listen to our children recite them as they are dressed as angels and proclaim His birth. In many a Christmas card, they are documented and shared by the millions.
Glory to God in the Highest.
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
Glory To God in the Highest
The Lord of Glory is not relegated to a baby in a rugged little place on earth. It’s been prophesied. This is the place. It came at the fullness of God’s plan. (Galatians 4:4) Now is the time. Everything has lined up for this moment to reveal not only the birth of Christ but the declaration from the angels to uphold our view of who God is!
Not only are they declaring Glory to God in the highest, but showing us the importance of reciting their wish. Give glory to God!
This Glory was seen in Exodus as God led his people out of bondage! In the cloud, on Mount Sinai, and even as a “devouring fire” (Exodus 24:17). Israel had a history of acknowledging the Glory to God and understanding it in the tabernacle, but now this Glory was among them.
But when this Glory leaves in ascension, then it will also return in the clouds with the angels in the ending.
What’s the wish of the angels? Understand this Glory from on High has come to our level, and will return again someday at the right time!
Give Glory To God saints, give Glory to God!
We’ll give Him all the praise saints, give Glory to God!
Let’s lift up holy hands saints, and give Glory to God!
Let’s shout Hallelujah, saints, and give Glory to God!
Give Glory To God saints, give Glory to God!
~Edwin Hawkins
Peace on Earth
From the beginning, we have not seen the Peace on earth that we all hope for. This world is tumultuous, topsy turvy, and totally backward. Many want peace, but others love to stir it up! So, I have to tell myself:
I cannot produce in others, but I can only accept it in me.
What do the angel’s words exude? Peace has come to the earth! Jesus even says this later in the Gospels. Consider these two quotes from the Gospel of John.
- So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (John 20:21 NKJV)
- Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27 NKJV)
His peace came with him, and he extends it to us!
The angels proclaim it, and I accept it!
Goodwill Toward Men
Goodwill is from a Greek word that simply means “delight, pleasure, satisfaction”. Perhaps the angels want us to comprehend that what we are receiving in Glory and Peace extends delight, pleasure, and satisfaction to men everywhere!
The Apostle Paul seems to grasp this and shares it in his thought to the church of Philippi from my favorite epistle.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
(Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV)
Do you see it? Good Pleasure! That’s the same word as Goodwill. God works in our lives for His Good Pleasure! It’s not about me, nor necessarily what goodness I can extend to others, rather, it’s about letting God’s plan work itself out in my life!
That’s the Good News from the Angels!
My Christmas Wish
I have many wishes for Christmas. Yes, there are some things I want (gadgets, computers, things, and stuff), but there are none as important as hoping and praying for the Angels Hymn to be extended through me.
Glory to God in the Highest.
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
If I will live my life expressing Glory to God in the highest, sharing the peace I have within to all others, and allowing the good pleasure of God to be unwrapped in my life… Then my Christmas Wish is fulfilled.