So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby, who was lying in the manger. (Luke 2:16)
The holiday season is upon us. As I have grown older, it always seems to come so fast. I love this time of the year, especially all the memories of past Christmases. The lights, the gifts, my mom’s tamales and for my family instilling in us the significance of Christ coming in the form of a baby. I would sing, “the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.”
René MacielI still am drawn by all this season brings, but now it calls to me differently. Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ. It is a celebration of Jesus’ birth and his return in glory. So now, I celebrate his coming to us, and I rejoice that one day he will come again to celebrate my return to him. A Child has come.
The Scripture says in Luke, “… and they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.”
This is a great time to find the Christ and celebrate his birth and his coming to earth to find us. Have you been seeking him or looking for him to be found in your life? The shepherds found him, the angels found him, the wise men found him, and maybe you will find him this Christmas.
It is a wonderful season to be still and seek his presence and purpose for our lives. Thomas Merton said, “Those who pay no attention to the coming of the Savior fail to admit that they need a Savior.” Christ came into the world to bring salvation, to bring hope, to restore us into a right relationship with the Father. A relationship of hope and sonship. A relationship of knowing our Creator. What a gift that we can experience and be reminded of each Christmas and all through the year.
We do not need to go far this Christmas to find the Christ child. He doesn’t come in lights and gifts or even in family gatherings. He is here, ready to meet you. He is within us. He is near. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Let us go in haste and find Christ this season. He is waiting right there to be found in your life.
Prepare yourself. The Lord is come!
René Maciel is president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and president of Baptist University of the Américas in San Antonio.
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