Christmas 2016 has come and gone. Yes, the tree is still lit and the toy Polar Express train below is circling the tree skirt, where the gifts were sitting just a few short days ago. In the past week, I’ve cooked several pounds of bacon and breakfast sausage plus dozens of scrambled eggs and a brisket, sure signs that we had kids at the house for large festivities.

The house is calm this morning, but just yesterday these walls were filled with the sounds of love. The big kids were picking on each other and the little kids were building something with Legos and playing Monopoly Jr. We watched television shows with Frosty, Rudolph and the Grinch. Other annual family favorites had us watching the Griswold family and the Baileys of Bedford Falls.

Most of us know that this is the time of year that we celebrate the birth of Christ. The Bible tells the story in Luke 2:1-40. The first 20 verses tell of His birth then the next 20 tell of Simeon and Anna, who had been eagerly waiting for the Christ child. They had waited for quite a long time.

The birth of Jesus was a big deal. It still is.

On that ancient night, shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks. Today, the Good Shepherd watches over us.

The Magi, or wise men, followed the bright eastern star to Jerusalem in search of the king of the Jews. They found Him in Bethlehem and they laid their gifts before Him.

Lots of folks were looking for the Messiah. I wonder if they expected a grand entrance as the Heavens opened up and the King of Kings floated down to Earth. Yet, God’s promise was quietly fulfilled when a baby was born of a virgin in a stable. I can imagine the scene was filled with faith and wonder. How must Mary and Joseph have felt as they stared down at the Hope of Mankind, knowing the “impossible” was sleeping in their arms?

Immanuel. God with us.

Later in Jesus’ life, we read in chapter 18 of Matthew’s account:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest
in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said,
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will
never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly
position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And
whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

In Matthew 19:13-14 we read:

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them
and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little
children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven
belongs to such as these.”

We make it hard sometimes, don’t we? It’s simple. He wants our child-like faith. We’re made in His likeness and he adores each of us. He absolutely adores each of us. How do I know? Jesus!

Faith. Faith OF a child. Faith IN a child.

Wise men (and women) still seek Him.