I am the way the truth and the life John 14:6

December 2025 here in Denver has felt like anything but Christmas. At least a typical Christmas here. As of writing this the expected high for December 25 in Denver is 65. For many that's wild, for me that's more my speed. I grew up in a tropical climate where 65 would be considered way too cold. It makes me think about how we have different expectations for this time of year and how life has some strange curve balls. Interestingly the historical data for the region of Judea where Jesus was born actually has the temperature somewhere between 40 and 70 degrees. We are kind of experiencing a Christmas like they did! Can you imagine the curve ball Mary and Joseph had been thrown? I wonder if as they were making their mandated journey to Bethlehem they worried about what their future might be. Maybe they were hopeful? The Journey of Christmas happened thousands of years ago but I think we can still learn a little more. Will you go on a journey with me through the scriptures and see what beauty we can find along the way? 

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16

Before Jesus was a grown man calling people to His way of life and to truth, He was a baby. Before He was a baby He was the King of the universe. The bible tells us that He created all things. Can you imagine with me for a moment a king who never had to bow to anyone? We have had some interesting historical figures in human history but all have had to bow to someone or something. It may have been another person or power, or an event or time but all kings we have ever known have been under another authority. But Jesus is different, He is the king who created all things and here He is on his way down to be a baby. 

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them Luke 2:7

Human babies are not very impressive. They can’t walk or talk, feed themselves or even hold up their heads to look around. In the animal kingdom many newborns are born with the ability to walk or shortly after birth to get up and move around. Humans are not like that at all. We are the most dependent creatures right after birth. This means that when Jesus was born He went from the state of exalted above all beings to complete dependence upon someone else. The God who from all things were created needed to be fed every few hours, kept warm and coddled. For some people this may seem embarrassing or backwards but there was a very special reason for this. 

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,  because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

The Journey of the King of kings was necessary so that He could save His people from their sins. Stop for a second and think about this. This King knew that to save His people He had to do it Himself. No other being could do it, no servant or official, the people couldn’t do it themselves. Our Lord and King was to be our Savior and He knew He needed to do it Himself. Not only did He need to save His people Himself but Jesus saved His people from the sin that they did. This was not a mistake that Jesus made and had to fix, this was not something He was responsible for but in His infinite love Jesus made the journey that would echo through eternity. The whole universe saw that God loved so much that He would come down and live among His people. 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13,14

As was fitting a king the arrival of Jesus was to be heralded, throughout the whole universe. On the night of His birth in Bethlehem a few shepherds got to witness the heavenly hosts declaring Jesus' birth. The words they sang out were filled with hope, praising God and letting mankind know that they can have peace, their salvation has come. You might be in need of the Savior to come into your life and for peace to be over your life. You may know someone who is currently looking at life and not sure how they are going to get through it. It’s been curve ball after curve ball. The King of kings who came down from heaven all those years ago is wanting to make another journey today. This journey isn’t to a chilly stable on a winter night in Judea but it's to a home in 65 degree Denver CO. This journey doesn't include knocking on every door looking for a room to stay and being turned away. The door Jesus is knocking on is yours. Will you answer it?