What appeared on Christmas? In many households the question is met with eager anticipation, and early on Christmas morning it’s a race to see what is under the Christmas Tree. There are many rituals for the things under the tree, you can shake them weight them, and try to peer beneath the wrapping paper. It remains a mystery that will only be solved when the appointed time arrives. And for the next several weeks, one of the hot topics will be what did you get?

Sadly, much of this ritual is so centered on ME, that the babe in the manger is largely forgotten. There is an old tradition, where the manger scene is present, and everything is in place, except that the manger remains empty until Christmas, and then early Christmas morn – that race, is not to see what is under the tree, but to see if the baby Jesus has arrived, only then does one consider what the baby Jesus may have brought.

For the grace of God has appeared

Suddenly, like the angels

The glory of God, a bright shining radiance

Grace, with an outward ordinary appearance

Grace, the gift of God

appeared for the salvation of all men

what should be saved?

Not rights, then it something we earn or deserve

Grace for the salvation of all people

Grace, which changes us, makes us a new creation

training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions,

and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world,

awaiting our blessed hope,

the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ

for that is really what Christmas is all about.