This past week our home was filled with all the familiar Thanksgiving sights and sounds. The kitchen carried those unmistakable aromas of sweet potato casserole, fried turkey, cream cheese cupcakes, and cranberry-orange relish. From the living room came the soundtrack of laughter, classic movies, the Macy’s Day Parade, and football games playing in the background. It was wonderful.
But here’s the thing about Thanksgiving in our home: it barely ends before the transformation begins. The oranges and yellows of fall are quickly packed away, replaced by reds and greens. Lori is convinced that the house must be fully prepared for Christmas before the calendar even thinks about turning to December. And as soon as the tree goes up, our focus seems to shift to what will soon sit beneath it (the gifts, all wrapped and ready for those we love).
In some ways, I think many of us picture the first Christmas through a very similar lens. We imagine the kind of frantic pace we feel this time of year. We picture a last-minute rush to prepare for the quickly approaching arrival of the greatest gift ever given. We imagine the scene unfolding with the same hurried pace we feel this time of year. But Scripture tells a very different story.
The preparations for the arrival of Jesus didn’t begin in a stable or with a census decree. They didn’t even begin with Mary’s conversation with Gabriel or Joseph’s dream in the middle of the night. As John opens his Gospel, he reaches way back, far earlier. As he writes:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” — John 1:1, 14 (NIV)
John wants us to see that Christmas didn’t begin in Bethlehem. It began “in the beginning.” Before the world was spoken into existence. Before time was set in motion. And even before we knew our need for a Savior, God already knew and had a plan to meet our need.
So, the arrival of Jesus was not some hurried or reactive decision. Rather, it was the most intentional, anticipated, and carefully prepared event in all of history. Long before shepherds heard angels, long before wise men saw a star, long before a stable became holy ground, God had already set His redemptive plan into motion.
And here is the part that continually overwhelms me: Before time carried your name, God was already carrying you in His heart! Your greatest need didn’t surprise Him. Your brokenness didn’t change His strategy. Your failures didn’t deter His purpose. From the very beginning, God prepared a Savior for you!
As this Christmas season begins, may it stir a fresh longing in your heart for His divine presence, His abiding peace, and His promised return. Because, just as surely as He came the first time, He will come again. As Jesus said in John 14,
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” — John 14:3 (NIV)
So, before you rush through this season, take time to reflect on the intentionality of God’s love. You have always been a part of His plan (from the very beginning). So slow down. Look up. And let this Christmas awaken your longing, for the Christmas season and for the Savior of the World.
A Prayer for this Season
Heavenly Father, we thank You for planning our salvation long before we knew our need. Thank You for sending from Jesus, the Word made flesh, the Light that shines in our darkness, from heaven to earth. As we enter this Christmas season we ask you to stir within us an even deeper longing for Your presence. Help us see Your intentional love threaded through every moment of our story. Strengthen our hope in the promise of Christ’s soon return, and teach us to live with hearts full of worship, wonder, and readiness. We pray this, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Yes, long for His presence. Good job. Bob