While the rest of the world is in a rush to get everything in order for Christmas, Baxter’s pace remains the same. He runs for food, but otherwise, he strolls to what interests him. When I come home, when he seeks a different resting place, when he wants a drink from the spigot or his nightly brushing and treat, Baxter doesn’t rush. His is a regular, slow, measured pace. He knows that what he is looking for will be there when he gets to it, so he goes about his routines slowly and calmly. Nothing pushes Baxter to pick up the pace. He sets the pace and keeps to it.
God works in the same way. He doesn’t get caught up in the world’s frenzy, but He knows what He wants and stays steady in His pursuit of it. God desires one thing only, for us to accept His love into our lives. He offers His love constantly in many different ways through many different circumstances.
When we are hurting or ill, when we are strong and successful, when we celebrate life’s bountiful goodness, and when we suffer loss and disappointment, God is there, not with answers or reasons always, but with a care and presence that bring a deep meaning to both the best and the worst that life has to offer. He doesn’t push His agenda. He offers it simply, quietly, respectfully, but relentlessly. Love never fails.
This is the message of the Christmas story. Come to the manger. Come to the manger when we are tempted to give up. Come to the manger when we are tempted to get our way no matter what it takes. Come when we feel betrayed. Come when we are lost and don’t know where to turn. Come when we doubt others’ trustworthiness or fear their ambitions. Come to the manger with whatever we have to bring from our lives. Put it down. Leave it there, and take with us the love divine that is offered without terms or conditions.
To come to the manger, we must step out of the frenzy of our world, and stop to look and listen to what God is doing for us. No need to run here. A slow, steady pace brings the promise of salvation to us as God brought it to the world in the birth of the Christ.
Baxter got it right this time.
