Removing the biggest obstacle we face at Christmas
“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Matthew 3:3b)
How readily we take for granted clean and dry roads. I traveled more than 500 miles this weekend, much of it on snowy roads. I was very thankful for the snow plow drivers who were out trying to keep the roads clean; it likely felt as though they were fighting a losing battle.
The wintery roads are an apt example for our Bible verse for this week. The verse comes from the mouth of John the Baptist as he was urging people to get ready to welcome Jesus as the Savior. He used a visual illustration to help people understand there were likely obstacles in their lives that might make it difficult or impossible for them to welcome Jesus as the Savior. The obstacles were not mountains of snow or slippery patches of ice.They were not piles of dirty clothes or dirty dishes. The obstacles John was talking about were the mountains and valleys sin causes in this world and in our lives.
When you talk about things that way, its starts to hit a little close to home. We know those obstacles all too well – broken relationships, hateful words, missed obligations, a guilty conscience … the list goes on. We also know how such obstacles can loom large this time of the year as we anticipate upcoming family gatherings and other events. Yes, sadly, the hurts and mistakes of the past cause us anxiety and pain and grief as we have to associate with the people we’ve wronged.
But before you go to that family gathering or other party or event feeling a little anxious or nervous 
because of the obstacles of sin, please make another visit. If you make no other visit in the next two weeks, go to the manger and kneel down with the shepherds and other visitors to see the newborn baby Jesus. As you gaze into that manger, know that baby was born to one day go the cross to pay for your sins. Know in that baby you can find the full and free forgiveness of each of those sins.
I understand making that visit will not remove all the hurts and mistakes of the past. But it will remove the biggest obstacle we all face – sin. Take the relief and forgiveness you find as you kneel at the manger and give that as a gift to those with whom you will associate with over the next several weeks. Use that forgiveness to perhaps bury a past wrong or remove the obstacle of a misunderstanding. Above all, use it to give yourself the peace that Savior baby came to give you!
As a closing prayer, I’d like to share the verses of my favorite Christmas hymn. It is not one of the well-known Christmas hymns, but it captures very well what God really wants to give us in the manger at Christmas.
O Jesus Christ, Your manger is
My paradise where my soul is reclining.
For there, O Lord, We find the Word
Made flesh for us—your grace is brightly shining.
He whom the sea And wind obey
Comes down to serve the sinner in great meekness.
Now God’s own Son With us is one
And joins us and our children in our weakness.
Dear Christian friend, On him depend;
Be of good cheer and let no sorrow move you.
For God’s own child In mercy mild
Joins you to him—how greatly God must love you!
Ponder again What glory then
The Lord will give you for your earthly sadness.
The angel host Can never boast
Of greater glory, greater bliss or gladness.
The world may hold Her wealth and gold;
But you, my heart, keep Christ as your true treasure.
To him hold fast Until at last
A crown is yours and honor in full measure.