A Truly Awesome Christmas

Posted: 12/21/06

A Truly Awesome Christmas

By Travis McClinton

Ah, the joys of the season are upon us. Christmas Trees, cookies and cake, peppermint sticks, the crisp breeze of a December wind, and the wonder in the eyes of children as the excitement of the glorious day comes closer. The feelings swell your heart, and overflow with happiness.

Being a father of two, this time of year always makes me giddy like a child myself. But the other day made me realize how wonderful this time of year truly is.

One Friday, I went to pick my children up from school and overheard my son talking to a friend of his. Living in the age of technology, they were, of course, talking about one of the new video games on the market. The words, “wow,” “amazing” and “awesome” came up in the conversation. I normally let things like this go, but I decided to ask Andrew what he meant by “awesome.” He told me it was something cool and incredible. I sat quietly and nodded. Then he asked why.

I told him “awesome” has a slightly different meaning than “cool.” I told him it means to leave someone in awe and wonder. My littlest child finally perked up and asked what I meant. So I told them that to be in awe and wonder is to be so amazed, that your legs feel weak, you are speechless, and you are just filled with so much joy that you can’t keep still. We talked more about the definition of “awesome” until Erin asked, “Daddy, what do you think is awesome?” Hundreds of things flooded my mind. The birth of my children, the day I got married, and the day I graduated from college all came forth.

Then in the back of my mind, a tiny thought slowly appeared and I almost wept. When I was young, I loved to listen to my little record player. And the record I literally wore out was A Charlie Brown Christmas. And from that, I remembered my favorite passage of Scripture.

Luke 2:8-14

Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Both children sat quietly. Then, being of inquisitive natures, they both asked why. I sat back, and began to tell them.

Imagine, a quiet and cold night. You and your friends are sitting on a hill watching hundreds of sheep, trying not to fall asleep. Then you see a small pin prick of light off in the distance slowly building in brightness. You nudge your buddy, and he sees it as well. It grows and grows, brighter and brighter. Soon, your sheep are twitching, and your buddies are starting to get a little nervous. Finally, you see a light that is brighter than day glowing around a person hovering just above you in the sky.

By this time, you are trembling with such fear, you can’t stand, you’re body is stiff and cold, and you can’t keep calm. You’re terrified. Then a voice so gentle, but commanding attention, falls on your ears, saying, “Fear not,” and immediately you’re calm.

This angel then tells you that what you are about to hear is a sign for a momentous occasion: Not far from where you are is a baby that is just now coming into this world. A Savior for all mankind. He who will save all from sin. A child who would be Christ. A child who will be born in humble surroundings, but will do amazing things.

For a brief moment, you think nothing could be more amazing than what you have just witnessed. Then slowly, like a small hum, a sound starts building. You notice the light getting brighter than you thought it could. And then the most beautiful sound flows through the air. A chorus of amazing voices that stagger you even further to the point of sobbing and weeping for joy. Those voices of such amazement singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

And in the blink of an eye, they’re gone. You don’t move. You’re afraid it was a dream. You turn your head slowly and notice the same look on your friends’ faces. Was it real?

In a heartbeat, you’re running faster and faster to the nearby town. You don’t know where to go, but are drawn to a small barn. You skid to a halt. And you look in the small feeding trough, and there lying in old cloths is a small baby boy, with a peace and calmness that wafts throughout the small group of people.

You then realize what you are seeing and what has just happened. You, a lowly shepherd, have been told the most amazing news. News that will shake the world. News of such amazing importance, it has been told to you. You then know that whatever may come, all that matters is that you were told of Jesus’ birth. And you will always remember it.

Silence gripped my children. I smiled. I knew that through their amazement they were the shepherds who have been told an amazing thing. They would always remember what was said this day. And I knew just how they felt.

Later the next week, my son’s teacher called me and told me my son told her the story I entrusted them. She thanked me for reminding them, as well as her, what Christmas is truly all about. And she told me what Chirstmas story she will be giving her family this year.

I’ll always tell my kids the Christmas story. And I know that one day, I will tell my grandkids, too. But I will always remember what my son told me, through huge eyes, but with the quietest whisper of a voice, “Wow, Dad, that is AWESOME!”

Travis McClinton is an information technology trainer for the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board, based in Dallas.