Test... Test... Is this thing on?

I am having to dust off the keyboard and the cobwebs off my right brain, in order to start this post tonight. I've missed this writing outlet the past few weeks.  As I sit in my PJ's, (Yes, it's 8:00... Don't judge me.) I had to share with you TWO gifts to celebrate through the Advent season.

In case you've been absent today on social media, this is the video I posted on Facebook today. An old youth pastor of mine shared it (Thanks, Kevin!!)  three years ago and since then, I cannot stop sharing it. So sorry, that I've taken over your social media with it.. but, honestly, I'm not really.

This afternoon, I shared it with our Whiz Kids and their tutors during our bible time. There are two times a year, with this mostly unchurched group of 3rd graders, I get misty eyed. Attempting to tell the story of the humble birth of my Savior and in the spring, when I tell them of His unimaginable death on my behalf.

This afternoon,  I watched the video for about the 400th time, alongside of my third grade friends. Some of them know Jesus well, and I can tell they want to know more of him, more of His words, more of His truth. But, some of them, don't know that THIS very birth is why we celebrate. The reason why Christmas even exists. As I watched, I was being taught by precious children far away in New Zealand, that the way in which Jesus came is exactly why He is so approachable- and exactly the reason why we CAN know Him. 

If Jesus, our King and Son of God had been born into a palace, he would not be approachable, that's my theory. If He had been born into a physical throne, wrapped in the finest clothes, in the finest home- I could not approach Him, I have nothing in common with royalty.  I cannot relate to being royally set apart on this earth. So, in all of God the Father's sovereignty and knowledge, He gave us His son, in the most approachable and real way. God gave Jesus to the world in the most humble way. Jesus had literally nothing except people that adored and loved him. Jesus was born into a place where filthy animals sleep, eat and live so I could know Him. So WE could approach Him. So we could relate to His human-ness. So we could relate to His "nothing-ness".

What a GIFTS we have been given! We were first, given a Savior, that had been prophesied about for hundreds of years to redeem us from our sin and our "junk". THAT in itself should be enough for me. I'm no longer bound to hell, but bound to freedom because of this beautiful ransom in Jesus Christ. He came to take my sin and shame on Himself. I would have been perfectly OK, in thanking this King from afar, and reading beautiful writings about Him.  BUT, we're allowed to KNOW HIM. The Redeemer of the whole world, came to know me. Came to save me, and came to walk alongside of me in my doubt, in my insecurities, and in all my sin. TWO gifts. I'm sure we could continue to list off other ways in which Jesus is also a gift to us all.

Jesus, who has given you freedom from sin. 

Jesus, who has healed your body from sickness. 

Jesus, who gave you new life.

Jesus, who provides. 

Jesus, who redeems.

Jesus, who encourages.

Jesus, who redeems.

Jesus, who walks with me.

Jesus, who knows me.

Jesus,  who   is   approachable. 

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior of the Human Race, who came to Save and Redeem; but, who also came to know you. To rule in your heart and walk alongside of you in pain, in grief, and in great, great Joy.

Celebrate, dear friends. Use this season to draw closer into relationship with Him.  OUR relationship with him, begins in the stable. It begins with drawing near to the most humble of circumstances. Walk your children through that stable, walk them through the beginnings of knowing how He arrived to have relationship with us.  Going to the stable begins to refresh our need for the relationship with our Savior. It begins with approaching Jesus, and knowing His beginning in this world.