"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

"He is born the Divine Christ Child

Play the oboe, play the bagpipe.

He is born the Divine Christ Child

Let us sing and rejoice this day!"

When I was little we had a huge Christmas musical production at my church.  Each year this was the song the children's choir sang.  My dad and I used to be in it together; he played guitar and I sang in the choir.  We used to meet up between rehearsals and shows to share dinner together.  This was time I always cherished and looked forward to, even at my young age, because I got my daddy all to myself.  That was usually hard to do since I was the oldest of five kids in our family of seven.  I was always so proud of my dad- he was the cool guitar player that had a guitar solo up on stage.  Yeah, he still is the cool guitar player. . . and I'm still proud he's my dad.

Another Christmas memory that has become a special tradition in my family started when my dad was a kid.  His dad, who I call Boppa, would gather all the kids (and now the grand kids) around on the family room floor every Christmas Eve.  He'd light a candle and begin. . .  

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. . .

This is such a special time for our family that one year we had to conference call our cousins in when Boppa and Nanny had come to North Carolina for Christmas.  By the time we got to the end there wasn't a dry eye in the room, or on the other end of the line. Christmas is Boppa's favorite time of year - he loves Christmas!  And his love for Christmas is contagious. 


Christmas joy is contagious altogether.  Why do I love Christmas music, and the food, church at Christmas time, the feeling of coming home?  Last week I sang Christmas songs out loud for an hour (no lie) when I had the house to myself.  I love seeing everyone dressed up at church, Advent, singing beloved Christmas carols. Decorated cookies, the smell of sweet spices, cider.  And coming home of course- whether it be from college, visiting family, going to your hometown, or having people come to you- just knowing that you are surrounded by those that love you most.  How could I forget snow.  There is just something magical about snow


So what makes this a big deal? Oh yes. . .

"He is born the Divine Christ Child

Play the oboe, play the bagpipe.

He is born the Divine Christ Child

Let us sing and rejoice this day!"

Why is joy so contagious this time of year? I believe it is because generation after generation had waited for the messiah to come to us.  We take time to celebrate it at Christmas. Well, I don't know anyone that can play the bagpipe, but "let us sing and rejoice this day!"

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.  Psalm 98:4 (King James Version) 

Yes!  The messiah is here!  After many generations, we have waited for this time and we only celebrate for maybe a month? MESSIAH.  He is Emmanuel - God with us. When I worship, as I live my life, am I praising him like I have been waiting for the messiah and now he is here?  He is the one that our ancestors waited on! I live in a time where I should be shouting and praising the God who is with us, who has come, and reigns!  Our King is alive, he is Emmanuel, God with us.


May I worship him while I await his second coming.  May it consume my heart and take all my energy, so that I walk into eternity praising his name on earth as it is in heaven. 

"Jesus Messiah, Name above all names, Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel.

The rescue for sinners, The ransom from Heaven, Jesus Messiah, Lord of all."

Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin

"Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity"Hosanna by Hillsong United