Is there anything more wonderful than a brand-new baby? I’m pretty sure there is not. Because I’m in between the stages of having babies and, hopefully someday, welcoming grandbabies, I eagerly squeeze the babies of my younger friends at every opportunity. There’s a new little guy whose parents attend church with me, and I love to stare at that boy’s beautiful face. His very presence brings me joy! Anytime I hold, or even see, a tiny baby, I’m definitely “in the moment.” I look that child right in the eyes and I am literally in awe of the miracle before me. 

This year, I have been particularly wondering what it would have been like to hold Baby Jesus. Certainly, some people who held the Christ Child knew Who He was, while others may not have understood the privilege. Jesus has been real to me in a personal way for a long time, but I have not physically seen Him as Simeon did in Luke 2:30 or touched His skin, as I suspect Anna did. Humanly, picturing myself holding the precious Son does make the whole thing seem more real to me. Perhaps it does for you, too?

We know Jesus is no longer a baby, and I don’t think of Him as such when I pray, but I do want to give Him the attention He deserves. He is worthy of far more than what I give the sweet babies in my life. I owe Him all my worship, my total awe. This Christmas, I’m trying to "let time stand still" as I sit in wonder of Baby Jesus.

As busy as the Christmas season is, it's especially difficult to make time stand still. Opportunities to bless others exceed our capacities to fill them, and we all know the struggle to balance our calendars among the good, better, and best. At times, I have lost sight of the Reason I do it all. If I determine to sit and think about Jesus, I will struggle to keep my mind from darting to one of a thousand things left to do. My favorite way to refocus is to pause and listen to a vocal rendition of a Christmas hymn.  In less than five minutes, a song like “What Child Is This” can help me celebrate the birth of our Saviour. You might be busier than I am, but if you find yourself needing to mentally center on the Christ of Christmas, may I encourage you to let a hymn you love remind you of Who He is? He is real. He is precious. He is worthy. 

Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”