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Psalm 98
Isaiah 52: 7-10
Hebrews 1: 1-4 (5-12)
John 1:14

By Margie Green

Ask anyone who knows me well and they will tell you I love Christmas. In fact, I have a Christmas village that has grown so large, it stays up all year because it takes too long to put up and take down.

I love Advent, Christmas Eve services, embarrassing my grown children by standing on our front porch waving at Santa as he rides through the neighborhood on a fire engine Christmas Eve, decorating the house and tree, family traditions, gift wrapping, gift giving and the music. I always look forward each year to the first time I hear 'Mary, Did You Know?' one of my personal favorites.

Just as Psalm 98 celebrates God saving his people from exile in Babylon, our Christmas hymns celebrate God?s saving grace with the gift of the Savior?s birth.

I also enjoy shopping for that perfect gift. Like many of you, I find myself looking at the sale ads in the paper, which go something like this: 'Sale! Fine Gold and Jeweled Watches in Velvet Boxes -- 75% Off!' Excited and thinking I have found the perfect gift, I hurry to the mall, only to find the watches are nothing like the picture in the ad. I leave empty-handed, disappointed and upset at the false advertising.

Close your eyes and think about the advertisement the shepherds received that chilly, dark night as they lay quietly watching their sheep.

Imagine an angel suddenly appearing before them jubilantly praising, singing and announcing the Good News. 'Do not be afraid for unto you is born a Savior who is Christ the Lord.'

Can you see the brilliant, blinding light and hear the sound of the trumpets, horns, voices and glorious praise bouncing off the mountains? Now that?s an ad campaign.

The excited shepherds hurried to Bethlehem to see this fulfillment of the Scriptures as predicted by Isaiah. We can only imagine their thoughts, amazement, wonder and awe as their faith led them to the Christ child.

As they drew near the improbable birthplace of a King, a stable ? perhaps rundown, certainly smelly, lit by lantern or only by moon and starlight, and warmed only by the presence and breath of the animals, ? did their wonder, awe and faith wane? Did they leave disappointed and upset, complaining that the product didn?t measure up to the advertisement?

Scripture tells us they returned to their fields rejoicing, praising and glorifying God and telling everyone what they had seen, their faith strengthened, and with this tiny babe came the gift of forgiveness and the promise of heaven for those who believed.

How often do we neglect to recognize the signs and wonders in our own lives and offer praise, glory and thanksgiving to God?

As our families gather together this Christmas, we must open our eyes, ears and hearts to God?s signs and wonders and let our faith be strengthened. Let us rejoice, like the angels and the shepherds, and thank and praise God for the gift of our families, the blessings that overflow in our homes and nation and especially the Christ child.

Let us remember that the Christmas story did not take place in one night, but is still being fulfilled. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Margie Green is a member of Oakdale -Emory UMC in Olney and administrative assistant to the bishop?s assistant.