Imagine you are nine months pregnant. You are uncomfortable all the time, regardless of what you are doing or your position. Now, you find out that you have to travel to your husband’s hometown. You are on the back of the donkey and you feel every single step it takes. It’s bumpy and everything hurts. It’s dusty and dirty and all you want to do is lie down.

Just as you make it to town you realize that you will not be getting any rest because the baby is coming very soon. You hadn’t realized that all that pain you were experiencing on your journey were actually labor pains. After all, you are a teenager and have never before given birth.

Your husband is trying to find you a place to stay for the night and a place for the baby to be born. He returns to tell you the only place he could find was a stable, complete with animals of all varieties. What choice do you have, the baby is coming regardless and you need to get inside very soon.

As you enter the stable you look around, taking it all in. The first thing that hits you is the smell. It’s not pleasant, it smells like… well, it smells like a barn full of stinky, dirty animals. Next, you notice all the sounds. The animal’s night has been disturbed by your husband trying to move them out of the way. It’s kind of loud. It’s dusty, dirty and not at all how you imagined it would be when that angel told you that you were going to have God’s Son.  Your husband is trying his best to make you comfortable, clearing a spot and making a place for you and the baby. There are so many thoughts and feelings rushing through your head. Fear, excitement, joy, worry, anticipation, not to mention sheer exhaustion.

Finally the baby is born. A Son, just as the angel said. You whisper the name, Jesus, and instantly you are filled with peace. Peace that is so deep and sure, that you know without a doubt that it comes from God. You are holding His child. The Savior of the world is in your arms. Tears begin to stream down your face. They are tears of deep joy, complete awe, utter exhaustion and unimaginable peace.

Fast forward some 33 years. Tears once again begin to flow down your face. This time you are at the foot of a cross. Your Son, the Son of God, is hanging on that cross. He is beaten, broken and bloody. You can almost feel the unbearable pain He is suffering. He looks down at you and asks one of His friend’s to take care of you. Your mind recalls that night in stable when Jesus was born. Once again you think-it wasn’t supposed to be this way! You are confused and hurt. You want nothing more than to see another miracle. What comes instead is peace. That same soul deep peace you felt on the day He was born. And you know it comes only from God. You have no idea what’s going to happen, but you know God is involved and whatever comes next will be okay.

Jesus, a man. The Son of God. Born for one reason-A living sacrifice for the sins of the world. The greatest Christmas Gift ever! The Savior of the world. Born for you and for me. Born to pay the debt that is impossible for us to pay.

Just a few thoughts I wanted to share about Christmas. These are not mine words but the words Jesus gave me. My prayer for you this holiday season is that you will find this peace. Soul deep peace that is so sure, you also know it comes only from God because He alone can provide that kind of peace.