Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

This was the voice of an angel of God, together with a great company of the heavenly hosts, breaking in upon the shepherds as they watched over their flocks in the night. Like us, they were just doing what they normally do. And here we are again at Christmastime doing what we normally do, running around frantically trying to get to every item on a mighty long to-do list in the next few days leading up to December 25^th. We live in a society so consumed by doing that we no longer take time to just be.

When the Christ child was born, there was no room for him in the inns of his day. His father Joseph and his mother Mary had to settle for shelter in a stable. No one provided a warm, safe place for them to be. We sometimes think that if we had had the opportunity, we would have behaved differently. Don’t be so sure, because we are the most distracted generation that ever lived. We can no longer even lift our eyes up from our numerous electronic devices to look at or listen to each other or carry on a decent conversation. So if an angel of God appeared to you, would you even stop to pay attention? You would, but only because you would be compelled to recognize someone majestic and greater than yourself.

Well, Christ has come! Have you paid any attention to him? He has been calling you into a deeper relationship with himself and his Father. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” (John 15: 9-10).  Make time and room for his glorious presence this Christmastime.