On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made their historic flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.  Their “flying machine” actually stayed airborne, and the whole world was launched into the new era of flight.

Excitedly, the brothers cabled the news back to their local newspaper, describing how for the first time in history a man-made machine had traveled in the air.  They added in a postscript that they hoped to be back in Ohio by Christmas.  The headline in the Dayton paper the next day read, “Prominent Local Bicycle Merchants to be Home for Christmas.”

Talk about missing the point!  Talk about missing the big story!  Evidently the home folks in Dayton were too caught up in the holiday excitement to stop and ponder that something immensely important had just happened; something so significant that their lives and the lives of generations yet unborn would never be the same.

Are we so different from the folks in Dayton?  There are millions who miss their Christmas miracle every year.  The Christmas season that should bring tranquility and joy is often laden with stress and sadness.  Somehow many people – even many Christians – don’t experience a quality, Christ-honoring Christmas.  They never see the Tree for all the tinsel; the glitter of materialism smothers the Babe in the manger.  Preoccupied with their own events, they are blinded to the Big Event.

They Missed It

It’s possible, in fact, it’s easy in the mad rush of the season to miss the whole point.  Just think about the many key players in the original Christmas story who never had a clue what God was up to.

Herod never got in on the Christmas miracle because he was too threatened and insecure. Yet we can give the pagan king this much: he did realize the potential power of this Baby!  And what about you?  Herod knew instinctively that Jesus challenges any person and any system that opposes His lordship.  Are you threatened by His rule in your life?

The priests missed the Christmas miracle because they were too religious. Drugged by dead religion, they walked right past the Source of abundant and eternal life.  I’ve often wondered about the priests on duty when Mary and Joseph brought the Christ child to the Temple for dedication. Can you imagine the incredible irony?  No doubt, those priests dutifully quoted Scripture over this Baby as part of the ritual of dedication, yet they were totally disconnected from the words they were chanting! They were reciting words over the Living God – the Light of the World – with not a clue to the importance of this Child!  Don’t let mere religion blind you from a life-giving relationship with God!

What about the innkeeper?  Commercialism stole his Christmas miracle! He could have played host to God’s first night on Planet Earth!  But in the end the best he provided for the King of the Universe was a barn!  After all, the good rooms had to go to “paying customers”!  The innkeeper’s attitude is the mind-set of many today:  “Here, Jesus.  I’ll give you a little space in the smelly back lot of my life.  Now, just stay there.  Your disturbing presence is not wanted in all my ‘respectable’  places!”

Interesting, isn’t it?  Representatives from government, religion and business.  They all missed the Christmas miracle.  Whatever you do with your life, don’t miss your encounter with Jesus!

They Experienced It

Then there was Mary.  She, of all people, experienced the Christmas miracle.  “Be it unto me according to your word,” was Mary’s obedient response to the angel’s announcement.  She didn’t miss it because she had willing heart.

And there was Joseph.  Although not the physical father of Jesus, he had a caring heart.  He put his own life at risk, first to protect Mary’s reputation and later to protect young Jesus from would-be assassins.  Joseph experienced the Christmas miracle.

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be one of the shepherds in Bethlehem?  Night after night, they would meditate with simple faith as they gazed into the heavens.  There was time to cultivate a quiet heart.  And because they were listening, they were treated to the grandest concert ever!  While the noise of activity drowned out the music for others, these simple shepherds had front row seats to hear “a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God . . . !”

Because I love world missions, I especially love the story of the wise men. They were far away from Israel.  Although well educated, no teacher had enlightened these scholars about the one true God and, as far as we know, they had no access to the Scriptures.  So God took it upon Himself to literally bring the light to them!  And as the light was revealed, they followed the light until it led to Jesus Himself.  Like many today who have not been reached with the Gospel, these were men with honorable hearts.

Simeon’s Moment

Other than Jesus, perhaps my favorite character in the Christmas story is Simeon.  Here was an old man with a promise from God: “Simeon, you are not going to die until you see the Lord’s Messiah with your own eyes.”  When it came to God promises, Simeon had a trusting heart.

But the years passed.  Faith had not yet been made sight.  But then one day . . . one unforgettable day! . . .

Where was Simeon when he felt God’s undeniable prompting?  The Bible doesn’t explicitly say.  Probably Simeon hung around the Temple as much as possible.  But maybe on this day Simeon was at his little Jerusalem dwelling, going about his daily chores.  Suddenly . . . that familiar Voice came to his heart.  “Go to the Temple, and go now!

Can you picture this little man with a big promise as he hurriedly pushes his way through the narrow streets of Jerusalem?  Maybe the old man even sprints toward the Temple as the promise pounds in his chest.  “I’m not going to have a heart attack,” he remembers, “God won’t let me die until I see His Messiah!”

Simeon bursts into the Temple – and there He is.  To others milling around, it looks like any other ordinary day.  Young Jewish couples with their baby boys, gathered to present them to the Lord.  To others, Mary and Joseph probably looked like just another couple and Jesus looked like just another baby.  But God gave Simeon eyes to see what others didn’t see.

Others saw a baby, Simeon saw a Savior.  It was Simeon’s Moment.  Imagine the thrill in Simeon’s heart as he takes up in his arms God Incarnate.  Overcome with worship he cries out, “Now Lord, I can die in peace because You have kept Your promise to me.  For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared for all people.  He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and the glory of Your people Israel.”

Keys to a Quality Christmas

Like Simeon, you too can experience the glory of the Incarnation.  There are some steps you can take to insure that yours will be a quality, Christ-honoring Christmas.

1.  Make time for Jesus. Join millions of Christians around the world in preparing your heart for His coming in this Advent season.  Your Christmas miracle is wrapped up in embracing and experiencing the Gift.

1. Make time for your family. Don’t let materialism and a glut of activity steal this precious time for renewing your most valuable relationships.
2. Make time for those who suffer. This holiday especially brings sadness, not gladness, to many people.  Painful memories from Christmases past make this a difficult time for many.  Be sensitive to the fact that often people are more open to the gospel during Christmas.  Reaching out to those in need – whether it’s material, spiritual or emotional needs – will bring a dual benefit.  Those you touch will be blessed, and so will you!
3. Make time for friends. Don’t let the season come and go without carving out time to strengthen friendships.  Give your friends the gift of your love and affirmation this Christmas.
4. Make time for reflection. Still your heart before the Lord and reflect on His goodness and faithfulness to you throughout this year.

Not only is Jesus “the reason for the season,” He is the reason for everything! “All things were created by Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:16-17).  Like Wilbur and Orville, may you have have eyes to see the really big event.  And may you have a quality, Christ-honoring Christmas.