‘Behold!’ … Hello Hump Day readers. On this Christmas Eve devotion, one word always get’s my heart. It’s a word we probably don’t use often, but it is a “mighty” word indeed. BEHOLD…what does that mean to us? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary says “to perceive through sight or apprehension, to see, to gaze upon and/or observe, or those who have beheld something or anyone who beholds something. The word “behold” is ancient! Obviously, the word was not what our language has, but it is the same in thousands of languages from the beginning of Adam and Eve to the many languages we have today.

The word ‘behold’ appears about 1,300 to 1,500+ times in the Bible. In the King James Version you’ll find it used 1,298 times! Here is the ‘gift’ about the word ‘behold’ …it acts as an interjection, signaling something important to see, meaning to look, or contemplate something of great significance. The Apostle John said this with breath taking words: “It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:27-29 [NASB]

Another one of my devotion writers has a short story about the word ‘behold’ and it’s about her daughter. They were having a Christmas party with family. They used Pinterest images for finishing touches from the decorated table to the Christmas tree and more. Once the glitter and glue were done, the floor cleaned up, her daughter twirled around with joy and said “Mom, it’s perfect, everything is perfect! I’m going to the living room now.” Then a loud scream came out of the room shouting “Mom, this room is not perfect. Look!” OK, it certainly was nothing like the Pinterest images, but for her daughter it was a huge disappointment. “Mom, I want it all to be perfect. What went wrong?” Her mom said gently, “because what you behold is what will take hold of you.”

Those words from John the Baptist give us the importance of this very principle! In fact, John wanted people to stop what they were doing and to gaze at Jesus, and yes behold Jesus. What John was trying to say was “See the Savior in front of you!”

To ‘behold’ means to see, observe, gaze at, or contemplate. We’re always beholding, even if we’re unaware. Think about the things we behold, like designer purses or shoes, a new vehicle, glittering things in storefronts, etc.—all believing that this will make me happy. We know it doesn’t but we behold it anyway. How about the Christmas family photo we posted, hoping to get more likes. This will validate us and behold what we’ve done. Or we behold our imperfections captured in high definition, groaning, thinking “O gosh, this will ruin me.”

I think you’re getting the idea aren’t you? ‘Behold’ –look at the wrong things, and they misguide your life’s direction. But train your gaze on the right things, and they’ll transform your heart’s affections. Because when you stop to behold Jesus, his beauty and majesty will captivate you like nothing else can.

So, take a moment on this Christmas Eve and ask yourself “What’s taken hold of me? Am I beholding the Lamb of God?” Put all the other stuff away, sit down and ‘behold’ the Christ Child who came to take away the sins of the world so we may find forgiveness and eternal life with God. Gaze upon his beauty. Rest in his presence. And share his hope with others. There is no better way to make your Christmas wonderful when it’s truly about Jesus! AMEN.