"Do you hear them? The sounds of Christmas. They tell us that Christmas is coming. They tell us that Christmas is near. Christmas…the birthday of Jesus. The happiest time of the year!"

Thus begins the children’s book, "What Does Christmas Sound Like?" My wife and I bought the book in 1987, the year we adopted our firstborn son. He was 3 by the time Christmas rolled around.

I read that book several times each year to both him and his brother in the ensuing years. And since that time, I’ve read it during my children’s time on a Sunday morning in worship every year.

I pretty much have it memorized, but hold it in my hands just in case I need the crutch.

Some of the sounds mentioned in the book include Christmas music, the ringing and chiming of bells, the rustling of Christmas wrapping paper, kitchen sounds as cookies and pies are baked and excited whispers of boys and girls as they anticipate the special day.

The book ends as it begins: "These sounds tell us Christmas is coming. They tell us that Christmas is near. Christmas…the birthday of Jesus. The happiest time of the year."

Indeed, it is a wonderful and glorious time as we anticipate and celebrate the fact that God did something very different at Christmas time. The author of Hebrews tells us that God has used many ways to communicate with us. "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son."

What blessed people we are. God has spoken to us. He has shown us himself. I pray that you will hear him and see him this Christmas season. His name is Jesus. He is Immanuel, God with us.