The essence of the Christmas story is found in Luke 2:12, when the Angel said to the shepherds, “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12 NIV)

I never grow weary hearing the story about the birth of Jesus. As far back as I can remember, I had a wide-eyed wonder about the Christmas story. It was always thrilling!

Our Christmas season was filled with baking cookies and chocolate candy, sending Christmas cards, school plays (in which I always had a part), wrapping gifts, family gatherings, playing board games, and Christmas caroling. I can still hear my mother sing Away in the Manger and Silent Night as she prepared for Christmas. I remember these moments so well.

But I also remember how my parents made Christmas about the birth of Jesus, and He was the reason we celebrated. I believe this is why it held so much wonder for me.

From one Christmas to another seemed like a lifetime, and even though we never received lots of toys, had a Christmas tree, or went shopping at a mall, it was the happiest time of the year for me.

This year as I reflected on the story of Christmas, it struck me with a new truth I had never thought about before.

The wise men followed a star only to find a baby in a manger. It is not certain the age of Jesus when the wise men arrived, and it’s thought He might have been around two years old.

I wonder what they were expecting to see. When they arrived and found a baby, I wonder if the wise men doubted following the star at that moment. Were their sights set on a real king sitting on a throne?

What they found, however, was a family with a baby boy that was pronounced the Savior of the World. They were convinced He was a king as they presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The fact that Jesus was born into a family speaks volumes to how much He cares about family. The importance God places on family started back at the beginning of time in the garden.

God is the originator of family and affirmed the importance of family when He sent His only Son to live with a family for His short 33 years on planet earth.

His Son, the Savior of the World, came to live with a family.

Jesus, the Son of God, could have made His entry to planet earth riding on a white horse announcing His arrival as a King and living in a palace. It would’ve been a perfect time to come as a King because the Romans ruled the world at that time, and the Jewish people were tired of the political chaos and suppression of their day. They were looking for their messiah and king to rule and reign in Jerusalem.

Instead of coming as a King, Jesus came as a baby. He nestled himself into the world of family life. He chose the most humble entrance – born to a virgin and a carpenter dad. He came as a lowly child to a peasant family.

I don’t understand why He came to live with a family, but I’m grateful He did.

As a parent and living my entire life with a family, I find comfort in knowing the God of the universe understands the complexities and challenges of family life. His own Son knows the stress of being a family.

Historians believe Jesus had four brothers and three sisters. I have so many questions about His life as a child, adolescent, teenager, and grown man.

The fact that He was born into a family instead of coming as a King on a throne assures me that families matter to Him.

He understands what it’s like to be misunderstood. After all, who could understand His story? I wonder how he responded when he was ridiculed for being a virgin-born? I wonder if He tried to explain that His Dad was God. How difficult must it have been to be part of an earthly family and fit into life as a little Jewish boy?

My curiosity will remain, but I believe the baby born in a manger over 2000 years ago came to be the Savior of the world. His birth was miraculous and supernatural.

“This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.”

Christmas is not only an event or a season. It is an encounter with the Savior. Just like the shepherds and the wise men were satisfied when they found him, we too can be satisfied when we find him.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11 KJV)

Merry Christmas to you and your family.