The Road Most Often Traveled
For these are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ Himself is that reality. – Colossians 2:17
I remember my first Christmas after getting married.
We lived in Clarksville while I was finishing up school, so we drove into Lebanon on Christmas Eve to begin the celebrations including the annual Christmas Eve service at my home church, a family gathering at my aunt and uncle’s home, and the midnight candlelight service at my husband’s home church.
We spent the night with my in-laws and woke up early to give presents to one another before driving out nearly to Carthage for Christmas breakfast at my parents’ home. Next, we made the trek back to Lebanon for brunch with my in-laws. After a brief visit, we drove for 40 minutes, round trip to have lunch with my grandparents. Then we piled in the car with my husband’s relatives for the trip to Sparta for Christmas dinner with his grandparents, and we rolled back into town just in time for game night and snacks with my cousins.
Needless to say, 280 miles, 30 hours, and 9 Christmas events later, we collapsed into our bed, hoping to sleep off our holiday “hangover.”
In Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, we see that the shepherds traveled to see the Christ child. As we read in Matthew’s account, the wise men, too, come from afar to offer gifts and kneel in the presence of Jesus.
Often times, as the season of busyness descends upon us, I have to ask myself if I am traveling slowly toward the manger, deliberately seeking in awe and reverence to kneel before the holy babe? Or am I on a much busier road, fueled by my own traditions and the expectations of others, which lead to places that are only shadows of the hope we find in Christ?
Holy, loving God, may we seek the Savior this holiday season, forgoing all roads that lead us away from the peace and rest you promise. Amen.