While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:6-7
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! With barely a month into setting up our new home, it was time to head out for our annual holiday excursion. The amount of reflection that needs to be done is at an all-time high. So much has taken place this past year that I know some space is needed to count my blessings without rushing on to the next item on the mental list.
Sometimes we must force ourselves to slow down to give our brain time to process through events. I don’t know about you, but I find it difficult to be in deep contemplation with all the noise around me…noise that maybe I create so I don’t have to think too deeply. Something to consider on this trip!
So far, I’ve experienced fireworks in “surround sound”, visited raptors, toured a college with my oldest, forced my “kids” to get our picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Clause (much to their dismay), had a few dinners with friends we only see once a year, met awesome new people, and stayed three different places. Whew…have I even mentioned we haven’t made it to our final destination yet? Tomorrow it’s time to slow down to have that quiet time.
In the meantime, we went to a restaurant today that I’ve been wanting to go to for a year now. Because of my excitement, the boys decided it was going to be my Christmas present. I couldn’t wait! They put on their “death” clothes without complaint this morning, which was a gift in itself. I know, I’m sorry about the moniker, but it’s what they call their clothes when they’re getting dressed up since they tend to wear them for funerals. I need to get them out more.
Please let me tell you why I wanted to go there today. Last year, while I was walking down the sidewalk during our Christmas trip, I heard the most beautiful music coming from an open door of a restaurant. I looked through the window and saw bright color clothing and heard the most glorious sound. It was an exciting worship experience through song! As I turned to continue on my way, I caught the name written on the side of the van that carried those musicians. I recognized it! I’d been listening to them for quite some time.
I found out this was something those wonderful singers do every Sunday and was hoping I could be one of the guests to listen on our next trip. For a whole year excitement built as we talked about going. It wasn’t about the food, it wasn’t about getting dressed up, and it wasn’t even about the singers. It was about the experience with my family. I was looking forward to all of us being able to enjoy a special time together that would allow us to make an awesome memory because how could it not me amazing with hymns and carols of the Christmas season being sung by those with voices of angels? We’d be celebrating together!
Interesting thing about our plans…they don’t always work out quite as we expect them to. There can be another side to things that look good on the outside but aren’t as pretty on the inside. It’s important to remember that perfection in human work is impossible. Too many people forget that the special comes from what’s inside rather than what’s outside. Were my boys too worried about the perfection for me that they forgot what would make it perfect? Yep.
You see, an ugliness can take place inside pretty trappings and a beauty can take place in simple, humble, and sometimes smelly trappings. Unfortunately, while waiting, customers felt they needed to be comparing their material possessions. Odd…seems like a lack of confidence inside those dressy clothes. Also, I figured I’d walk around the pretty city while my hubby waited. A seemingly beautiful city can have some dangers lurking within. Although everything turned out fine, things could have ended differently because of not having my eyes opened clearly enough.
When we got into the restaurant, we found out they accepted reservations from certain people, just not us. We were able to get a seat because we arrived so early, but my jaunt around the area made my hubby think we wouldn’t get a place. Oops, some weird rules. The food was good, but the feeling of aloofness was there. Finally, nobody was singing; they weren’t there. Could it all be salvaged? Sure! Laughter, fun, and being with my guys would be all it took. Unfortunately, the stress of perfection made that go out the window.
Today got me thinking about those times of stopping for an unexpected ice cream. We’d spend a few dollars at a little custard stand and have the best time ever. The outside might not have been the most beautiful but the joy inside was. That joy in people can travel with us wherever we go. Simple or elaborate. We can even be in some pretty smelly situations. It doesn’t matter though when the beauty is within. Sounds like a certain barn holding the best Gift offered many years ago.
I challenge you to remember the Gift that can always bring love and joy to any situation because of what’s inside compared to what’s outside. When the inside is devoid of the Gift, no matter the look of the outside, true light won’t shine through. The lack of worship from those wonderful ladies today created a void that wasn’t able to be filled because it seemed like the light went out. The light is you and me. It’s people. It’s love and joy that shines from us. Take away the fancy, and if the light is still shining, you know the Gift was accepted.
Will you embrace the Gift today?
