What Child is This, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?

Do those seem like silly questions? Perhaps they are to those of us who have 20/20 hindsight. We know exactly who He is.

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary!

Sure, we know who He is. We’ve heard the story. But do we hurry to bring Him our praises, or do we simply offer them in a hurry so we can get on to other things? I know my life always seems most hectic at this time of year. I hear plenty of others voice similar sentiments.

Here we are in Advent, a time the church established for us to prepare our hearts for the coming celebration of Christmas, but a time that finds us busy with so many other things: buying gifts, attending parties, decorating, sending cards and letters, wrapping presents, shopping some more, preparing feasts and goodies, visiting family and all the while bemoaning how little time there is in each day. Satan is trying to take our focus away from the Gift. Pause right now to reflect on it.

Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians fear; for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spears shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you;
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The babe, the son of Mary!

Christmas is about a birth, to be sure, but it is also about a life lived and a death died for each of you. That is the gift. Not just a sweet baby in crude surroundings who would someday make good, but the Son of God who would make YOU good by His life and death.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrhh;
Come, peasant, king, to own Him.
The King of king salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him,
Raise, raise the song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby;
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The babe

In the midst of the business and busyness of this season, please take time to contemplate and thank God for His Gift to you: a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.