"Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior is born
Christ, the Savior is born"

Take a look at the last two lines of this verse of "Silent Night." What does it say?

"CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN"

It does not say WAS born. "Was" born means it happened and it is all to easy to forget. It is past and is history.

It does not say "WILL BE" born. This means the world is still waiting.

The verse says "Christ, the Savior IS born." This means Jesus’ birth is as important today as it WAS when it happened. It means Jesus’ birth is as important today as it WILL BE tomorrow and the next day. God really impressed on me how important this detail becomes.

This is how God chose to come to earth.

God says, "MY NAME IS "I AM."

I was regretting the past and fearing the future. Suddenly God touched my heart and said, "My name is "I AM."

He paused.

I waited.

He continued, "When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not "I WAS."

When you live in the future with its problems and fears, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not "I WILL BE."

When you live in this moment it is not hard; I am there! My name is "I AM!"

The God of the manger is the God of the present. He is the God involved in all the details of life that we sometimes want to forget.

Now is the time to go to the manger and receive God’s precious gift. It is too late for yesterday and tomorrow is not promised. God wants us to receive the gift of His son in the here and now. Doing so means everlasting life. That is forever.