This Sunday the pastor at church talked about favorites: 

He told us his favorite ice cream, his favorite book, song, Christmas song and movie. He talked about more, promise, but the "favorites" is what got me thinking 

(nice to know God can use any sermon point to get the gears rolling)

It got me thinking about what my favorites are. 

For example:

My favorite movie? 

No clue. 

I think it changes from week to week. 

But my favorite Christmas movie?

Hands down, the Polar Express. 

I know, not exactly It's a Wonderful Life or A Christmas Story... but still, there's something about it that absolutely grips my heart. Thus, the Polar Express wins. 

Next up:

My favorite Christmas carol. 

(in case you're keeping track, this is different from my favorite Christmas song. This is important for later on.)

But! my favorite Christmas carol?

"What child is this"

Pretty traditional, right? 

But, my favorite Christmas song? That honor goes to RelientK. 

In the midst of all their guitar, pop renditions of traditional Christmas carols (at one point during the 12 days of Christmas, they scream '5 Golden Rings'), there is this beautiful, calm piano laden song, and the lyrics wholly encompass the entire Christmas season. 

So much so, that I will share them with you! (well, the chorus... but the rest is worth looking up)

::ahem::

"I celebrate the day//

that you were born to die//

that I could one day//

pray for you to save my life//"

(Seriously? How could this not be your favorite Christmas song?)

This song is what really got me thinking...

Christmas, more specifically, the Christmas story, is this remarkable story about a virgin giving birth, angels, old people having babies (Elizabeth, not Mary, obviously), shepherds, giant stars, camels, wise men, dreams and messages from God! (that's the makings of a great story... I don't care who you are). 

But, all of this--the camels, the inn & the stable-- everything, sets up a story that Christians celebrate a few months after the advent season:

Easter. 

Now, I know that this is a point that is driven home by multiple pastors and fathers this time of year, But have you ever just sat and thought about it? 

This Christmas season, we are celebrating the birth of our savior. How exciting! That Christ came from his throne on heaven to do life with us & to fulfill his promises from the old testament, his covenant with his people. What a testament to who God is & how separate from all other gods!

I love this. It does something inside of me- a peace, I think. Just the peace that comes from getting a glimpse of the actual character of god. 

Ultimately, every year, I always reach the point of "why?" 

Why did Christ come?

Why was he born in a manger?

...just, why?

The answer? He came to die. 

He came to die. 

Seriously? How... morbid? I don't know. What if you showed up somewhere with the plan that you were going to die there. 

Not only the foresight, but also the intentions; and there was nothing you were going to do to stop it? 

Sounds kind of like Jesus had a death wis.

But his "death wish" the depressed, suicidal, impulsive kind. It was more like the soldier who knows that there might not be a chance that he's coming back, but knows that if he doesn't do it, if he didn't take that chance, then people might get hurt or die. 

Jesus knew he was going to die (how early do you think he had that knowledge? ...a topic for a different day, I think). 

Not only that, but he knew if he didn't do it, then no one else not only would, but could step up. 

There was no question about it; If he didn't do it, then people were going to die spiritual deaths of eternal separation from him. 

He couldn't stand that...

So, he was born. 

In a manger. 

Amongst the smelly pigs, and his first guests in the delivery room were the smelly shepherds, to a teenage girl. 

While heaven rejoiced. 

...and so did hell (because he had plans for the kid, too that could only happen here, on earth). 

All of this happened so that some thirty some odd numbers later, he could die on a cross. for us. man. 

So in five days, 

I will celebrate the day, that you were born to die so I could one day pray for you to save my life. 

And I will be absolutely humbled by it.