Behold, the Lamb of God!

This morning I scrolled through my Instagram feed, and everywhere I found messages to Behold.

One image said (my paraphrase), “Look at the darkness and you will become like the darkness. Gaze the light and you will be light.” Another one was a family devotional time with the dad telling the children that what they look at is what they become. Still another was a quote from The Greatest Gift saying, “Joy is a function of gratitude, and gratitude is a function of perspective. You only begin to change your life when you begin to change the way you see.”

There is something blessedly hopeful about Advent and Christmas unlike any other time, even Easter for me. Often, this time of year finds me weak and fragile and glad I’ve made it to the end.

Christmas unlike many other times of the year can focus on the gaps as much as the bounty. The weight of not having a Christmas party to attend. The missing place at the table. The lack of money to buy the toy the kids wanted or the lack of connection to find the coveted gift so many seek. The one standing on the sideline at the party with no one be with. The holes are easy to see and thus easy to focus on. Things happen to us that God intends for good that are not good at the time or that don’t seem or feel good and we focus on the loss.

Advent allows us to remember the fulfillment of Jesus. It helps me to see and marvel on the goodness of the Lord in my life. Focusing on the lack, staying in the season of grief often promotes more loss and more grief. Jesus, at Christmas allows to see and behold Him.

Behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10

Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed. Luke 2:34

Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel. Matthew 1:23

Behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. Matthew 2:1

Behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. Matthew 2:9

Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”. Matthew 2:13

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. Matthew 2:19

Behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

Behold, the Lamb of God. John 1:29.

Behold – a verb meaning “to see or observe (a thing or person, especially a remarkable or impressive one).” This time of year begs us to turn our eyes away from whatever is holding our attention other than Christ and says, “See the King!”

Yet it was God in Heaven that beheld you and me, and this is why He came and bled and died. He became the thing He viewed, loved, and adored, not as more than Himself, but because of His godliness. He became man because He loves you so.

What are you looking at today? Your loss. Your lack. Your phone. Your self. Your hope.

Turn and fix your eyes on Christ, the author and perfecter of your faith! For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2