Let’s take a few minutes today for a special Christmas meditation. I invite you to meditate on this verse in Scripture that marks the foundational truth of the Christian theology: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). I will walk you through a guided meditation. Take as long as you need to go through it.
Meditating on a verse simply means taking time to quiet your body so that you can focus on what God might be saying to you through his written Word. Don’t stress if you don’t feel like you’re hearing God speak. Just spending this time in quiet communion will strengthen your relationship with him.
Relax
So start by taking a long, slow, deep breath. Breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth, pausing briefly on the full inhale and again on the full exhale.
And then do that again.
And one more time.
If there are distractions wherever you are, acknowledge them, but then tell them that you will deal with them later. This is your time to be alone with your Father God.
As you proceed throughout this Christmas meditation, keep breathing deeply to keep your body relaxed and your heart focused.
Repent
Take a moment now to ask God to search your heart. Is there anything that might be getting in the way of your hearing from God today? Any unconfessed sin? A wrong attitude or grudge you’ve been holding? Keep 1 John 1:9 in your thoughts: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The Christmas season is one of awe and wonder. How could a baby change the world? How did God become flesh? How is Jesus fully human and yet still fully God?
Let God speak to your heart as you focus your thoughts and your musing on this one verse today: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Breathe in those words and begin to memorize them as you read them again: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Reflect
What does the word “savior” mean to you? Let God speak to your heart as you take a few moments to consider that word. Close your eyes and take as long as you need. Remember to keep regulating your breathing so you stay relaxed and calm.
Now go back to the whole verse again: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” This message was given by a bright and glowing angel to a group of shepherds while they were watching their flocks. What was so important about these exact words? Again, close your eyes and take as long as you can, while you’re breathing deeply and steadily, to contemplate the verse and listen to God’s voice.
Reimagine
Imagine that you are among that group of shepherds. You think tonight is going to be like any other night. You’re in a large field, the sheep are content, there’s been no signs of danger. The sky is clear with billions of stars twinkling overhead. There’s even been that strange big star that you’ve noticed recently. You’re curious, but you don’t give it a lot of thought.
As the night wears on, you yawn and stretch your arms over your head, then you stand and look around, noticing your fellow shepherds close by, all attentive to their sheep. You smile. It’s not a glamorous job, but it’s an important one. The psalm of your forefather David comes to mind: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
You breathe deeply in contentment.
Suddenly, from out of nowhere, an angel of the Lord appears! The sky is filled with its presence! You fall to your knees in awe, your heart racing in your chest. The glory of the Lord shines all around you, and you are filled with great fear.
But then the angel speaks. “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Then, as suddenly as they arrived, the angels disappear. The silence stuns you. But after a moment, you hear one of your companions say, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Everyone agrees, and so you rush to Bethlehem. Soon you find the new parents, Mary and Joesph, and the baby lying in a manger. In awe and reverence you kneel beside them, and tell them all that the angel had said.
The mother, Mary, listens intently, and then gazes at her newborn son. She doesn’t say a word, but seems to be treasuring everything you have to say in her heart.
And then reluctantly, you and all the other shepherds return to your flock, glorifying and praising God for all you had heard and seen.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Take a few more moments to close your eyes again and picture this scene. Take in the words. Let God surround you with his peace.
When you’re ready, read this prayer to end your Christmas meditation: Lord Jesus, I am so thankful for you. The mystery of how you came as a helpless baby and yet were still the mighty God will never be fully understood until I stand in your presence in eternity.
Help me not to be distracted by all the hype of the holiday, but to give you room in my heart to do whatever you want to. All glory to God. Amen.
