During this Christmas season I hope that you are able to take some time and think about what is truly significant in your life.  John Timmerman,  a professor of English at Calvin College, has recently written a new Advent devotional book called "Light of the World".   He states in his introduction that his purpose for writing the book is to help us have a more intimate understanding and love for Jesus. THIS is significant.  During this Christmas season we need to fight the hectic shopping and stress and desire to more intimately know, understand AND SHARE this Jesus with others! 

Some of the characters in the Christmas story give us wonderful examples of how we should be ready to welcome the Christ child....and....his people.  How would you have responded if the angel came to you like he did to Mary?  Her words of faith were, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be unto me according to your word."  Luke 1:38.  What pure and bold faith in the face of a totally unbelievable situation.  She was ready to welcome this child into her life even though she knew it meant she would be an outcast from the community...even though she knew it would change her life forever.  Are you willing to welcome others according to Mary's example?

Look at Simeon.  Simeon had a revelation from the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  So, "he simply prepared for its fulfillment in the only reasonable place-the Temple Courts.  We don't know how long he waited there, how many days or years.  We only know that Simeon was faithful and full of belief. "  (p.15 Light of the World)   Simeon heard that he would meet the Christ and so he prepared and was ready to welcome Him.  What are we doing to prepare and welcome?

During this season....and throughout the year...focus on the significant....and welcome others as Mary and Simeon welcomed Christ.