" Birth, Birth! "

 

Dear Nativity Seekers,

Here’s the secret of Christmas: It doesn’t end on December 25^th!  It isn’t over once the baby is born!  Which is seemingly why the season of Advent is essential to knowing what to do.  If you’re just figuring on Christmas Day …what God is doing, may be lost on you! 

For the last couple of years, I’ve been drawn to a new Christmastide melody with an Adventy edge—in a song written by Chris Tomlin but featuring the voice of Lauren Daigle.  Chris and Lauren are big names in the Christian music world these days.  The song’s title is “Noel,” and with soaring voice lines, it’s now a mainstay on my Advent and Christmas playlists:

Love incarnate, love divine | Star and angels gave the sign 

Bow to babe on bended knee | The Savior of humanity

Unto us a Child is born | He shall reign forevermore

Noel, Noel …Come and see what God has done

Noel, Noel …The story of amazing love! 

The light of the world, given for us …Noel

Son of God and Son of man | There before the world began

Born to suffer, born to save | Born to raise us from the grave

Christ the everlasting Lord | He shall reign forevermore 

Noel, Noel …Come and see what God has done

Noel, Noel …The story of amazing love! 

The light of the world, given for us …Noel

 

“Noel” is a Latin term for “birth.”  More literally, it could be sung—Birth, birth …come and see what God has done …the story of amazing love …the light of the world, give for us …birth!  As such, it obviously points to Jesus’ “birth” or nativity, as if pointing to the incarnation. 

But the incarnation …begins with a birth and is more than a birth!  The line that always strikes me is, “come and see what God has done.”  This is a paraphrase of the invitation of the Angels delivered to the Shepherds to come and witness the birth of Jesus.  …But it is also an Advent and Christmas reminder for me that God …is still DO-Ing! 

While the birth and the Christmas Day have passed, we’re struck with promises that have not ended …God is still do-ing, therefore the “story of amazing love” is at least that the “light of the world has been given for us,” too!  BECAUSE Jesus was born, the light of the world may literally be in our hands (or at least in our hearts!)!  BECAUSE Jesus was born, the story of God’s amazing love also surrounds us.  It’s not just a “moment” in our stories; it’s a ribbon weaving in and through our stories. 

“Birth, birth,” reminds us to be continually “looking for what God has done” in our lives and the lives of those around us.  “Birth, birth” reminds us that the story of God’s amazing love is wrapped up in our lives, too!  Not just a celebration of the birth, but what the birth signifies—that the light of the world has been given to us—To. Us.!  …So, this can’t just be one date on the calendar! 

So, if you’ve put your Christmas away …maybe think about getting back out something that helps you recall that we’re looking for more than just a birth!  Rather the birth, is the beginning—so keep looking for what God has done!  Keep up with the story of God’s amazing love!  Keep the light of the world, that’s been given to you…shining!