Christmas 1957

It was 1957, my mother who was divorced at this time - made Christmas special. Working full-time at Pilgrim State Hospital serving three meals a day to the patients and a seasonal job at the post office to earn extra money, she forfeited her needs to buy my sister and I pretty dresses, shoes, a Christmas tree, candy canes, and placed a few presents under the tree come Christmas morning. Mary, my older and only sister, cherished the gifts under the tree, knowing Mom sacrificed to give us a Merry Christmas. Mom’s devotion to us, especially at Christmas, made a difference in our lives. Mary and I, although by today's standards we were poor - we were richly blessed! The sacrifice of her love was more valuable than the gifts.

            In Mark 10:13-16, Jesus embraces the children and gives a firm warning to those who are of the age to be responsible and accountable for their souls. Teaching a pivotal point to his disciples and the crowd that had gathered, “And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.”

            In another discourse, Jesus again did not give us an option to opt-out…Matthew 18:1-5: “At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.” Salvation is not about our altitude or success in this world, but it is all about our attitude for the eternal world to come. Attitude bears witness to our behavior, which is the window to our souls.

            Two-thousand years ago, the Nativity of our Lord, Jesus Christ, His birthplace, Bethlehem, interpreted “house of bread”; Jesus was laid in a peasant’s bed, a manger, a feeding trough for animals. His mother, Mary, lovingly cared for her newborn, wrapping him in soft fabric, protecting him from the external elements. His earthly father, Joseph, kept watch for their safety, while attending to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the new mother. Fondly recalling his dream found in Matthew 1:21, “She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Their vocation, marriage, a gift given to them by God, Mary and Joseph took on the overwhelming and tremendous commitment of parenting the Christ child, God’s only begotten Son.

            God keeping watch that unprecedented night, sends a proclamation announcing the Birth of His Son by illuminating the night sky and offers to all humanity the merciful gift of His Son, divinity in human flesh as scribed by the hand of Saint Luke in chapter two. “Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

            The angels sent by God, were joyous about the Good News, waiting for this monumental day with eager anticipation! Luke 2:15-19: “When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” Shepherds witnessing the supernatural phenomenon were moved to action. No excuses were given! What joy the Almighty God had given them – our Messiah has come!

            Wisemen, who were astrologers and religious men, knew the Christ child was born, also searched diligently, quickened to the heart, traveling hundreds of miles bringing gifts to their King, who was not a king of this world, but the King of the kingdom that would come. They knew the eternal significance and importance of this spiritual event (Matthew 2:1-12). God touched our world with His finger, granting us undeserved forgiveness, mercy and grace, by giving us the one true, Christmas gift - His only begotten Son, Jesus, the tunic of salvation for our depraved and naked souls.

             Using the eyes of a child, we must accept that wrapped present with open arms, with humility of heart, and by tearing off the paper of our wretched-sinful lives, giving ourselves solely to Him, opening the box, let us put on our white-robes of eternal life, the sweet gift of salvation, which is the eternal Gift that keeps on giving on this Christmas Day. Revelation 7:9-10: “After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.”

Merry Christmas and Rejoice because we have a Home in Heaven!

May God Bless you – Bobby Speers