Beautiful Simplicity- More Than Meets the Eye

Have you ever thought about that night when Christ was born; That night when there was no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn? The great King of Kings, the Word made flesh, came down from heaven and was born in a stable. A stinky barn, of all places. The smell of animals and fresh hay, the rustic and primitive, uncomfortable place that it was- that's where the Lord of all creation entered the world.

I've often thought about why God would have chosen to send Jesus in such a simple, unexpected way. We know Jesus could have come as a grown man. He could have been born into earthly royalty. He could have come arrayed in garments of gold as a king leading a great army. But our God is a God of surprises. The Great I Am seems to find pleasure in showing us where real beauty is discovered. All throughout time, in God's Word, and in my life- God seems to have a way of breaking up expectations and so called dreams to unveil something far greater... something grandly surpassing the original idea of splendor. Like sanding away the years of caked paint on a treasured antique, revealing the beautiful tones of the natural wood underneath; My Lord has a way of peeling back the cracked layers of my expectations and exposing the fraudulent beauty I've been clinging to. In those precious moments in His presence when His plan is revealed and my eyes are once again opened, I see clearly what an imposter my earthly hopes and securities were in comparison with His truth and faithfulness.

How easy it is to get caught up in the ideas of a world of extravagance where nothing is ever enough. Our society is engrossed with wanting bigger and fancier homes, cars, clothes, and the works. More, more, more! Satan would love nothing better than to keep even believers wrapped up in the bondage so prevalent in the lost world.
"If I am more beautiful, things will be better."
"If my kids have everything they want, things will get better."
"If I had that wife/husband, boyfriend/girlfriend things will get better."
"When I get my dream home..."

Life can stay packed to the brim when attempting to meet the standard expectations of a greedy society, and its not surprising that the real joy of life is missed in such a chase. We can be so busy, so wealthy, so attractive and so empty. This hunger for everything that doesnt satisfy won't decrease as time moves on, but we as believers can make a very deliberate choice not to be turned aside seeking joy in hopeless places. If we've gotten our focus off kilter, we can allow God to show us the heart of real peace and joy, all over again.

Over the last few days God has reminded me of the importance of seeking the beauty of the Lord in day to day things, and there's no better time to do that than during this Christmas season. The toys that are wrapped up under the tree might not be played with in a few months. The lights and the tinsel will be packed away for another year. The Christmasy smells that fill our home will be replaced with open windowed breezes. The material lusts of life which are so greatly coveted, are also so quickly forgotten. But a heart focused on the magnificence of Emmanuel- God with us is ever strengthened with joy and peace.

The raw simplicity of that first Christmas, when God Himself became man, was a glorious event that all of the hosts of heaven celebrated and declared. Lowly shepherds were the invited guests to this miraculous celebration. All of Bethlehem slept, and the Deliverer of mankind lay in a manger right around the corner. No one knew. They were all sleeping, eating, and making merry in the houses and inns. They were all busy with the excitement of catching up with family and friends who had traveled to town for the census. The Son of God was born that night and few humans knew. Even if they had known, would they have accepted the amazing truth of what was taking place in such meager circumstances?

We humans miss a good bit. This Christmas, may we especially not miss the glorious splendor of our great King and Lord, Jesus Christ; Born of a virgin, the chosen spotless lamb of God, sent to redeem you and I. May we not get caught up in the temporal things that are ever fading, but be desperately caught up in the eternal God who showed His greatest act of love by sending His Son for us. And may we be continually blessed as we bask in the joys found in the simple things of life. There is a great joy found in the simplicity of time with family and friends, working together and laughing together...because beauty is more than meets the eye.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!