Christmas: “Do You Get It?”
First published December 22, 2008
Luke 1:30-34
“And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end.’”
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“You know,” our choir director, Becky said, “I’ve said it before, and will say it again. There is more to this song than getting the notes right, than getting the words right, than even getting the dynamics right. Christmas is different for Christians because we get it. Do you get it?” I was tired and zoned out. Yup. I get it…every year I get fatter. I get presents. I get into debt. I get exhausted.
“This song has to say, ‘We get it.’ It has to grip the listener.” Becky continued, describing various artworks around the world and the reasons these pieces were remembered. I, on the other hand, thought I got it. Okay, okay. We celebrate Jesus’ birth. I get it.
The choir practiced more Christmas pieces. I was struggling. I just don’t get it. This interval is hard to hear. The vowel shapes run amok. And on top of it all, the song has to say, “We get it.”
I stopped and looked at the words. “How quietly, how quietly, the wondrous gift was given for me.” That’s it! Becky’s wisdom was right on the mark. Everything that had to do with Jesus’ life on earth was simple, yet complex. He was plain and ordinary while special and extraordinary. He was humble and quiet while changing lives and jolting the status quo. Quiet, yet wondrous. Now that is gripping. I’ve known this nearly all of my life, but I had allowed the “We get it” outward focal point to fade.
Today’s verses from Luke are just a sneak peek of a speck of the extraordinary end of Jesus’ life. It is evidence that this is a perfect time of year to emphasize to the world that “We get it.” If you are sidestepping and losing your focus, then this is a perfect time to reexamine the challenge. The bottom line for us all is, Christmas: Do you get it?
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Dear Lord, as we approach the day of celebrating your son’s birth, may we be empowered to show the world that we get it! Help us show the lost that this is more than just a day off of work. This is more than fancy decorations and cute songs. Make our lives a reflection of the full meaning of Jesus in our lives. In His Holy Name, amen.
Copyright 2008 Karen Vaughn
Luke 1:30-34
“And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end.’”
**** ****
“You know,” our choir director, Becky said, “I’ve said it before, and will say it again. There is more to this song than getting the notes right, than getting the words right, than even getting the dynamics right. Christmas is different for Christians because we get it. Do you get it?” I was tired and zoned out. Yup. I get it…every year I get fatter. I get presents. I get into debt. I get exhausted.
“This song has to say, ‘We get it.’ It has to grip the listener.” Becky continued, describing various artworks around the world and the reasons these pieces were remembered. I, on the other hand, thought I got it. Okay, okay. We celebrate Jesus’ birth. I get it.
The choir practiced more Christmas pieces. I was struggling. I just don’t get it. This interval is hard to hear. The vowel shapes run amok. And on top of it all, the song has to say, “We get it.”
I stopped and looked at the words. “How quietly, how quietly, the wondrous gift was given for me.” That’s it! Becky’s wisdom was right on the mark. Everything that had to do with Jesus’ life on earth was simple, yet complex. He was plain and ordinary while special and extraordinary. He was humble and quiet while changing lives and jolting the status quo. Quiet, yet wondrous. Now that is gripping. I’ve known this nearly all of my life, but I had allowed the “We get it” outward focal point to fade.
Today’s verses from Luke are just a sneak peek of a speck of the extraordinary end of Jesus’ life. It is evidence that this is a perfect time of year to emphasize to the world that “We get it.” If you are sidestepping and losing your focus, then this is a perfect time to reexamine the challenge. The bottom line for us all is, Christmas: Do you get it?
**** ****
Dear Lord, as we approach the day of celebrating your son’s birth, may we be empowered to show the world that we get it! Help us show the lost that this is more than just a day off of work. This is more than fancy decorations and cute songs. Make our lives a reflection of the full meaning of Jesus in our lives. In His Holy Name, amen.
Copyright 2008 Karen Vaughn
posted by Karen Vaughn | 10:48 AM
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