Well, the Christmas maelstrom seems to going strong, and I have allowed myself to be swept right along with it. Forgive me, Lord, for I know so clearly that is not how it is supposed to be! But in the midst of all the activity and the sudden moments of blind panic when I recognize how much I have to do, God gives these sweet, quiet moments of joy. It's as if the blinders of busyness are removed, and God reveals just a hint of the glorious, unbelievable reality of what He did at Christmas! It's one of those moments C.S. Lewis once described as being "surprised by joy."
That's what happened the other day as I was driving along rushing to get errands accomplished before school pickup. As I listened to the song, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," the words suddenly broke through, "pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel." The Lord Jesus didn't break into time and history with reluctance or resignation or regret. He came eagerly! He was "pleased" to dwell with us, His sinful, disobedient, distracted, rebellious children.
I just don't think any of us can begin to appreciate what a sacrifice this must have been for the utterly perfect, glorious, holy Creator and Sustainer of the universe. For absolute perfection to come live amidst squalor and ugliness far exceeds anything our imaginations can comprehend. Yet He came willingly and joyfully. And He came in the lowest and most humble of circumstances...and He was pleased to do so!
No wonder the angels were singing! So how can I do any less? During this season of the year, my mouth should be filled with praises and wonder at what the Almighty Sovereign of the universe did for you and for me at Christmas. "Let men and angels sing..." Let us sing not just with our voices but with our hearts. And with our attitudes. And with our actions. So to the One who came--and was pleased to come--be all the glory forever and ever!
