Prepare the Way – The Glory
…prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God…and the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together…
Isaiah 40:3-5 NIV
Oh, how I love decorating for the Christmas season. It just fills my heart with joy. I have some cute Santas, but I really look forward to putting out my collection of nativities. Each different, they all depict baby Jesus in a manger, Mary and Joseph on each side. Some even include various animals.
What a night! Many knew the Messiah, the Savior of the world, would come some time and had preconceived notions about how it would happen. They expected much grandeur -- a king, a warrior, a mighty showman. They did not imagine a tiny baby born in such a humble setting.
God had prepared Mary. An angel revealed to her she had been chosen to give birth to his Son, the promised Savior. An angel also came to Joseph to encourage him after hearing Mary’s news. The angel prepared Joseph by giving him the name “Jesus” for the baby.
Someone had prepared the stable for the animals -- mucking it out and providing fresh hay. How could they know the significance of their actions? Jesus, the Messiah, would occupy the space not just animals.
Angels decorated the night sky to share the news of Jesus’ birth with shepherds in the field. They supplied them with the exact location of where the baby lay. Imagine their wonder as they got to experience the real Nativity first hand.
God did not choose to reveal his glory in a fine palace or amidst great riches of gold or silver. He chose to give himself to the common man – “for all people.”
Father God, as we prepare ourselves and our families for this Christmas season, let us do so with humble hearts as we celebrate your glory for all people.
Susan Partida
