I normally start listening to Christmas music in about September and keep up with it through the end of the year, but I realized a few weeks ago that I have not listened much this year. Last week while I was driving with my sister, we listened to a song that reminds us that Christmastime is here. I was suddenly more in the Christmas spirit despite warm temperatures and dusty skies. As we look forward to rejoicing and celebrating that over 2,000 years ago, the Hope of the world was born in a humble stable, . We are approaching the end of the year 2021, and because a baby King was born thousands of years ago, there is still reason to hope, rejoice, and look forward to what is to come.
When Jesus was born, there was not a tree alight with gifts piled beneath it or a candlelight service the evening before. There were not loved ones to celebrate with or tables filled with a feast to enjoy. The Messiah was born of a virgin in a cold barn surrounded by animals. He had come. He has come. Though our Christmas celebrations look different today than they did the night Jesus was born, as we gather with our loved ones in the weeks to come, there are many reasons to celebrate. After centuries of anticipation and wondering when the Savior of the world would arrive to rescue the world from its own captivity, He was born Emmanuel, God With Us.
As 2022 grows near, we are again waiting for the coming of our promised King. We wait in anticipation knowing that the same King who brought good news of great joy on a dark night all that time ago and who we worship today is coming again for us one day. Merry Christmas to all.