Have you ever gotten used to something amazing?  I remember several years ago showing my dad some photos that were on my iPod Nano.  It was a very small screen by today's standards (2"x3").  But it was amazing at the time.  Do you remember the first time someone took a photo and then immediately shows you it on a screen?  I'll bet you were amazed, at least a little.  Now photos are everywhere.  We can still view prints of course, but more and more people have bigger and bigger screens to view photos.  These screens are so common place that it's not amazing any more.

I was reminded this morning by an email from Carey Nieuwhof, a pastor in Barrie, that this can be true of even the Christmas story.  "Because even unchurched people know the story. And when they know the story they have a hard time connecting with what the story is really saying."  When something is so familiar, sometimes it can lose it's power.  But make no mistake, the Christmas story is still full of power.  It's still amazing.  God came to this broken world in the flesh to purchase our salvation, saying, "they can't get to me, so I'll come to them".  

There's a beautiful new Christmas song simply called "Noel".  You can listen/view it by hitting play above.
The chorus says,
"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"

Philippians 2:4-11 (ESV) says, 
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

This Christmas, ask God for a fresh understanding of how amazing the familiar story is.  Better yet, ask God to reveal Himself to your friends and family who know the story, but not the power.

​Merry Christmas!

A beautiful newer Christmas song, by the Canadian Christian band, "downhere".  Read the lyrics below and just try not to worship God with thanksgiving! ;)

This style is a bit rocky in the middle for all of you who are sensitive to the beat...ha.

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe after all we've projected
A child in a manger
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mothers shawl
Just a child
Is this who we've waited for?

Chorus: Cause how many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn savior
All that we have whether costly or meek
Because we believe
Gold for his honor and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he'll suffer
Do you believe, is this who we've waited for?
It's who we've waited for

​"How Many Kings" by downhere.

I love the music of Christmas.  I love the familiar carols of the season.  It's exciting to hear the world singing the story of God's love come to earth.  I also love the new Christmas songs that are being written.  Take a listen to "Welcome to Our World".  I realize I have eclectic music tastes.  You probably wouldn't have enjoyed my music choice this morning of Kirk Franklin.  Ha.  But that's ok.  This song however, I think you will enjoy regardless of your musical preferences.  The words so clearly point to the hope we have in Christ.  The lyrics also tenderly point to the reason for Christ's birth.  The road to the Cross.  

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born
So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

"Welcome to Our World" by Chris Rice

Click the video above to listen to the song's author sing "Welcome to Our World".