Do You Hear What I Hear?

What are the sounds we associate with Christmas? The ringing of bells. "Ho ho ho". Carols. Children laughing. The crunch of freshly fallen snow. These are among the most pleasant sounds of the season.

The more jaded would suggest that ringing of the cash register is more descriptive of the season. Perhaps also would be the smashing of piggy banks, the scraping of the bottoms of out barrels, and spoiled toddlers crying for more.

But there is more. Can you hear it? The hushed whimper of a father in prison who will not be seeing his children this Christmas. The hunger pangs of the homeless. The clanking chains of the enslaved and oppressed. If you listen closely, you'll be reminded that it will be a blue Christmas for many hurting and lonely people in our neighborhood and around the world.

Don't stop. There is more to hear. Keep listening. Do you hear it? There among the moos and baas of the barnyard comes the cooing of a baby. A baby has born both a peasant and a king. Amongst the parties, the commercialism, and cries of the broken comes song sung by and army of angels.

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

God's favor has been given to us in the form a of baby. But not just in any baby, but in Jesus (the name means the LORD saves), Emmanuel (God is with us).

As followers of King Jesus, we believe that these were the best sounds of the season.

We also believe that Jesus is the answer to those other sounds as well. He is the answer to consumerism by infusing meaning deeper than a dollar. He teaches grace and goodness.

He is the answer to hurting and broken. The Prince of peace, the bringer of restoration.

Do your hear what I hear? It is the call of King Jesus. He calls us to join him. He invites us to a life with deep meaning. He requests we join him in bring peace, joy, and love to the world.