December 5, 2023

Luke 1:26-38

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. I love the songs, the smells, the crisp air, the food, the sounds, the laughter, the memories and family time. It a time of joy, laughter and love, even when the world around me now doesn’t seem to reflect the same.

As a child my brothers and sister and I always looked forward to the “Wish Book” coming and would poor over it for hours trying to decide what we wanted to ask Santa for in our letters. Growing up we didn’t have a lot of money and even though I can’t recall a discussion of it, we were aware that some items just cost too much.

Today, we all look at costs. We know where the best gas prices are, where we can afford to buy dinner out, the price of groceries, even, how much is too much to spend on a grandchild! Cost are on everyone’s mind, especially this time of year.

I have often reflected on Mary and Joseph that first Christmas so long ago. The costs that they were facing from family and society were huge given the time, place and their faith. Yet Mary’s response was simply “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled”(Luke 1:38).  Joseph also simply did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him. Such great faith considering the costs they would bear.  

The Gospels speak of cost and price 4 or 5 times. The pearl of great price, the cost of the oil poured on Jesus’s feet. However there are seventy five references to love. The Father’s love for us. Jesus’s love for us and the disciples. The commands to love the Father and to love each other. Then powerfully, Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends(John 15:13). Even though Jesus knew the cost he would pay, to Him, it was only love for us. What a gift!! Love is the greatest gift that came to us through Jesus Christ, His only Son(John 3:16). It costs nothing, only faith to believe and acceptance. No gift is as great as the gift He is too much. I hope the song link below will help you and your family remember Jesus during this Christmas season.

Lord, prepare our hearts this Christmas season to love more and to remember Your gift. To love deeper and with faith that You will walk with us through our “costs”. And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love(1 Corinthians 13:13). Amen.

https://youtu.be/FZ4JA3YZCj0?si=kOSS0KuSkhxF_pBK

Mack McCall