God's people hear the same things every year: "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us" (Isa. 9:6), "the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us" (John 1:14), and "when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman" (Gal. 4:4). Mangers and Magi, angels and announcements, a star and a Saviour. Familiarity, if we're not careful, can certainly breed apathy.
But it shouldn't! How can followers of Jesus be unimpressed by the arrival of the long-awaited serpent-crushing Messiah? How can we be unmoved by God graciously wrapping himself in suffocating humanity to rescue sinful humanity? How can we be uninspired by the miraculous, mind-bending reality of the incarnation? Indeed, the first advent of Christ is a uniquely curated masterpiece of God's beautiful and loving handiwork. There are few realities more thrilling, more awesome, and more worthy of remembrance.
The little book you hold in your hands is an attempt by God's people to fight the potential apathy brought on by our familiarity with the extraordinary. May our hearts sing the familiar song this season: "Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!"