Joy at Christmas…
Christmas is fast approaching. Every year it seems to come sooner and sooner. I guess that goes along with getting older and life just flying by in general. It is easy at this time of year to get caught up in the gift giving and parties and forget the real reason for Christmas. I was reading the story this morning of the birth of Jesus in Matthew. His birth was prophesied in the Old Testament and came to be in the New Testament. I know as I go about this holiday season I want to remember and meditate on my Savior. There is a song in the hymnal called Christmas Has its Cradle. It is really an Easter song, but the words are very impactful and remind us of why He came.
Christmas has its cradle, where a Baby cried; did the lantern’s shadow show him crucified? Did he foresee darkly His life’s willing loss? Christmas has its cradle and Easter has its cross.
Christmas has its cradle; shepherds came to see Little Son of Mary, Lamb of God to be
Had His Father warned Him, none would grant Him room, save in the Christmas cradle and in the Easter tomb?
Christmas has its cradle, Wise men came to bring Myrrh and gold and incense, offerings for a King; Myrrh alone stayed with Him, death’s balm for this Boy. From the Christmas cradle and to His Easter joy.
Christmas has its cradle, where that Baby cried; In the Easter garden, Christ lay, crucified; when death’s power was conquered, God’s life through Him poured; Christmas has its cradle and Easter has its Lord!
Take a moment and step away from the hustle and bustle of buying gifts and praise the one who has GIVEN Himself as a substitutionary atonement for our sins!
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EDIT -
So today I ended up going shopping and it was a crazy event. People and cars going everywhich way and plenty of opportunities to get frustrated. I was on the phone with a good friend from college and the phone kept dropping the call. I think this happened close to seven times. Anyway, this made me think that during this time of year (or any other time of the year) I need patience. Not just a little bit but what I am going to call a full tank of patience. Thanks friend for the reminder! I am glad that God places people into our lives to remind us of those things 
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