One of my most endearing memories is Christmas Eve at Granny’s house. Big family. Small house. Lots of people. One bathroom. A smorgasbord of food. Not enough places to sit. It was loud and chaotic. But there was always that one instance – that one time during the evening when everyone would get quiet. It was the moment everyone crowded around the Christmas tree. Granny would sit on the floor in front of the tree with all the grandkids and great grandkids sitting right in front of her. And Granny would tell the Christmas story.

What a treasured moment. All talking ceased. The inhaling of food was halted. Rules for personal space were broken as everyone crowded in to listen to the Christmas story. Priceless.

Now, all hell broke loose after the telling of the Christmas story.  Packages were distributed. Everyone began to rip into them. Wrapping paper went flying everywhere. But for those few minutes of time, it was all about the Christmas story.

I was three months old my first Christmas. I’m sure that was the first time I heard the Christmas story at Granny’s house. And I’ve heard it every year since then. And here’s what I’ve discovered. The story never changes. But God speaks through it in new and fresh ways every time I hear it. Same story. Different message.

This year, studying through the Christmas story, the questions in the narrative stuck out at me:
Zechariah asks, “How will I know?”
Mary’s response to the angel is “How can this be?”
Elizabeth visits Mary and exclaims, “Why has this happened to me?”
The crowd at John’s dedication want to know, “What will this child become?”
And the wise men inquire, “Where is the child?”
Questions that I have certainly asked from time to time. And I’m guessing they are questions you may be familiar with as well?

I encourage you this Christmas season to read through the Christmas story. It may be your first time  to hear it or you could be studying it for the 100th time. Either way, God has something for you!  Same story. Different message. Take advantage of those moments. Steal some time away from the noise and chaos. Break the rules. Sit in front of the tree and hear the Christmas story. Priceless.