The True Gift of Christmas Revealed

What Are You Willing to Do for an Experience?

A woman named Brianna flew 4,239 miles from Columbus, Ohio to Stockholm, Sweden. She navigated through complex Swedish ticketing sites, hand-stitched her outfit for the concert attire, took three connecting flights, and endured jet lag in an unfamiliar hotel—all to see Beyoncé perform.

It's amazing to me the lengths people will go to see a star.

We'll stand in line for hours to get the latest phone. We'll wait in the cold for special donuts. We'll sit at amusement parks for three hours in line for a two-minute ride.

We're willing to do amazing things for an experience.

But what about experiencing God's glory? How far will you go? How long will you wait? How much will you sacrifice to encounter the presence of the living God?

In Exodus 33, we meet a man named Moses who wanted to see the glory of God. His request—and God's response—reveals the greatest Christmas gift ever given: the manifestation of God's glory through Jesus Christ.

Moses in the Tent: Creating Space for God's Presence

Prior to this encounter, the temple had not been completed yet. So Moses set up a tent and separated himself from the people to have conversations with God.

The Bible says that every time Moses went into the tent, the cloud would come down.

God was showing the people that He was connected to Moses—the cloud moved as Moses moved. Since there was no church building, Moses created a place where he could be with God by himself.

The Question We Must Ask Ourselves

How often are you spending time in your tent?

I heard a story about an indigenous tribe whose members would, early every morning, go to different places to seek God. They would walk in various directions to find a space where they could be alone with God.

Here's the powerful part: They could tell your prayer life by the length of the grass.

The only way the grass gets high is if you're not walking on it. They could measure your devotion by the height of the grass in the direction you walked. If your grass was high, they knew, "We ain't seen you in a long time."

What does your grass look like today?

Face to Face: The Intimacy Moses Experienced

Exodus 33:11 says: "And so the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend."

This was evidently a normal conversation—a habit Moses had developed of spending time with God.

Now, the Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 6:16 that God "alone can never die; He lives in light so brilliant that no man can approach Him. No eye has seen nor ever will."

God is invisible—He's a spirit (John 4:24). So "face to face" doesn't mean Moses saw a physical face. It means intimately. He experienced God's character, His presence, His nature.

When you see a person's face, you can tell if they're happy, sad, angry, or at peace—it's written all over their face. You can't read a person's back, but you can read their face.

When God spoke to Moses face to face, Moses was seeing and experiencing the characteristics of God. He felt the presence of God.

God Knows Your Name

Exodus 33:12 records Moses saying: "See, You say to me, 'Bring this people up,' but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, 'I know you by name, and you have found favor in My sight.'"

This should give you peace, Believers: God knows you.

Matthew 10:30 says: "But even the very hairs on your head are all numbered." (And if you're bald, He knows how many used to be there!)

The Father is sovereign and has complete knowledge. Do not fear—you are more valuable than many sparrows.

The Request That Changed Everything

In Exodus 33:13, Moses makes a bold request:

"Now therefore, I pray, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways, so that I may know You more deeply and intimately—that I may recognize and understand Your ways more clearly, and that I may find grace and favor in Your sight."

God responds in verse 14: "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest."

Here's one of my main points for today's devotional: It's not about the presents you receive—it's about His presence in your life.

When you understand this truth, you realize that the gift of Christmas is God's presence.

Moses responds powerfully in verse 15: "If Your presence does not go with me, don't lead me."

Read that again. "Lord, if You're not going with me, I'm not going."

See, when you get to this place with God—"Lord, if You don't make a way, if You don't come with me"—you're walking in wisdom. American Express has a commercial that says, "Don't leave home without it."

You need to get that same attitude with your God: "Lord, I'm not going anywhere if You're not leading me. If You're not ahead of me, I'm not going without You, Father."

Psalm 16:11 tells us: "In His presence is the fullness of joy."

"Show Me Your Glory": The Ultimate Request

After this exchange, Moses makes the ultimate request in verse 18:

"Please show me Your glory."

God responds: "I will make My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. For I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion and loving-kindness to whom I will show compassion. But you cannot see My face, for no man shall see Me and live."

To protect Moses, God was going to give him a reveal—but just a portion. No human can absorb such light.

Look at what God says in verses 21-23:

"Behold, there is a place beside Me, and you shall stand there on the rock. While My glory is passing by, I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen."

The Revelation of Front and Back

As I dug into this passage, I discovered something powerful:

• Verse 20 speaks of the face = His glory
• Verse 23 speaks of the back = His goodness

His glory goes before me. His goodness goes behind me.

I've got the glory in front and the goodness behind! When you get this revelation—when you're walking with God—the glory goes before you and His goodness goes behind you.

The Bible says in Psalm 23:6: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."

Now I understand! The goodness follows you because it comes from this verse—it's the encompassing of God. The glory goes before, and the goodness comes behind.

You're surrounded by His presence!

The Christmas Revelation: Glory Made Visible

Here's where it all comes together. What Moses could only see dimly, we get to see fully in Jesus Christ.

John 1:14 declares:

"And the Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes—the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish."

The Difference Between Old and New Testament

In the Old Testament, Moses looked "through a glass dimly" at God's glory. The revelation Moses didn't get is what we have today!

Moses looked through the glass dimly. We get to see Jesus—the glory revealed.

John 2:11 says: "This, the first of His signs and miracles, Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed His glory, displaying His deity and great power openly."

With Jesus came the manifestation of the glory. The Christmas gift was glory—glory that we could actually see!

The disciples believed confidently in Him as the Messiah. They trusted and relied on Him because they witnessed His glory firsthand.

Who Is the King of Glory?

Psalm 24:8-10 asks and answers the ultimate question:

"Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is then the King of glory? The Lord of hosts—He is the King of glory who rules all creation with heavenly armies."

The King of glory is Jesus Christ.

• He is the Lord strong and mighty
• He is mighty in battle
• He rules all creation
• He commands heavenly armies

This is who came to earth at Christmas—the King of glory wrapped in swaddling clothes.

The Transfiguration: When Jesus Revealed His True Identity

Mark 9:2-3 records an extraordinary moment:

"Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. He was transfigured before them and began to shine with divine glory and revealed it."

What Moses saw was Jesus pre-incarnate!

Let me break this down: When Jesus went up on the mountain, He said, "Let me show you. Let me reveal to you—because I know you think I'm just Jesus, but let me show you I've been here from the beginning."

You didn't recognize who I was because I revealed Myself as flesh, but before I was flesh, I was Spirit.

Genesis 1:26 says, "Let Us make man in Our image, in Our likeness"—Us: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

Jesus is saying, "I couldn't show you all My glory before, but now that I'm here in the flesh, let Me reveal to you who I really am. Let Me reintroduce Myself."

You thought I was just flesh and blood, but let Me show you My glory!

Why Was Moses on the Mountain?

Notice that on the mountain of transfiguration, Moses is there!

I asked God, "Why would Moses be there?"

Here's the revelation: Moses is getting the full picture! Before, Moses had the picture with shades on—he could only see the back of God. Now Jesus says, "Let Me show you something different."

Moses gets the revelation: "OMG, You've been here before! I thought You were new!"

Mark 9:3 says: "And His clothes began to radiate and became dazzling, intensely white, as no launderer on Earth can whiten them. Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus."

Matthew 17:2 adds: "His appearance changed dramatically in their presence. His face shone clear and bright as the sun, and His clothing became as white as light."

The Final Revelation: Glory in the New Jerusalem

Let me bring this home with the last book of the Bible.

Revelation 21:23 declares:

"The city has no need of the sun nor of the moon to give light to it, for the glory and the splendor—the radiance of God—has illuminated it, and the Lamb is its lamp."

The light is Jesus. The Lamb. The glory of God.

When you think about Jesus, it's all about His glory. For us as Believers this Christmas season, the gift is glory.

The gift was:

• His presence
• An opportunity to see His glory

Twenty-four hours a day, there are angels in heaven singing:

"Glory, glory, glory, glory!"

God Is Perfect Light

1 John 1:5 tells us: "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all."

The closer you get to God, the more you want to change. Because as the light gets closer and you draw closer to God—He says, "Draw near to Me and I'll draw near to you"—His light changes your life.

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world." (John 8:12)

What Moses Couldn't See, We Can Experience

Moses wanted to see God's glory, but he couldn't—not fully. It would have killed him. God protected him by covering him with His hand and only letting him see His back.

But as God walks us through the New Testament, Moses shows up on the mountain of transfiguration (yes, that's the word—transfiguration). Moses, who had been dead for centuries, appears on the mountain where Jesus changed and revealed His glory.

We as New Testament Believers get the whole book—the whole understanding of what Jesus came to show us: His glory.

Moses caught a glimpse through a crack in the rock.
We get to behold Him face to face through faith in Jesus Christ.

Moses saw His back—His goodness passing by.
We see His face—His glory revealed in the person of Jesus.

Moses heard God speak from the cloud.
We hear God speak through His Son, who is the Word made flesh.

The gift of Christmas is not found under a tree. The gift of Christmas is the Glory of God revealed in Jesus Christ.

The Glory Goes Before You, The Goodness Follows Behind

Here's the practical application for your life right now:

When you walk with God—when His presence is truly with you—His glory goes before you and His goodness follows behind you.

This means:

The Glory Before You:

• God is preparing your path
• He's going ahead of you into every situation
• His power is clearing the way
• His presence is lighting your path
• His favor is opening doors before you arrive

The Goodness Behind You:

• God's mercy is covering your past
• His grace is redeeming your mistakes
• His kindness is following you all your days
• His faithfulness is protecting your rear guard
• His love is ensuring nothing from your past can destroy your future

You are completely surrounded by God's presence!

This is why David could say with confidence: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23:6)

Creating Your Own Tent of Meeting

Moses made it his habit to meet with God in the tent. He separated himself from the noise, the crowd, and the chaos to encounter God's presence.

You need to create your own tent of meeting.

This isn't about a physical location—it's about making intentional space in your life to encounter God's glory.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. When was the last time you were alone with God? Not praying while driving, not worship music in the background while working—but actually alone, focused, present with Him?
2. What does your grass look like? If someone measured your prayer life by the path you walk to meet with God, would they see a well-worn trail or overgrown grass?
3. Are you willing to separate yourself from distractions, entertainment, and the noise of life to encounter His presence?
4. Have you asked God to show you His glory? Not just His blessings, not just His provision—but His glory, His very nature, His character?
5. Is God's presence your priority or just His presents?

The Invitation: Draw Near

James 4:8 extends this powerful invitation:

"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."

You have the ability to make God move toward you. As you draw near to Him in worship, prayer, surrender, and obedience, He draws near to you in power, presence, and glory.

God is waiting for you in the tent.

He's not hiding His glory from you—He's inviting you to come closer. The question is: Will you make time? Will you create space? Will you pursue His presence like Brianna pursued that concert?

If people will:

• Fly across the world for a celebrity
• Stand in line for hours for a product
• Spend thousands of dollars for entertainment
• Sacrifice sleep, comfort, and resources for temporary experiences

How much more should we pursue the eternal glory of God?

A Prayer for Encountering His Glory

Father God, I thank You for Your Son Jesus, who is the manifestation of Your glory. What Moses could only see dimly, we see clearly in Christ.

Lord, I want to see Your glory. Not just read about it, not just hear about it—I want to experience Your presence in a real and tangible way.

Forgive me for the times I've pursued everything else more passionately than I've pursued You. Forgive me for letting my grass grow high, for neglecting my tent of meeting, for settling for presents instead of Your presence.

Holy Spirit, draw me close. Create in me a hunger for God's glory that surpasses my hunger for anything this world offers. Let Your glory go before me today, preparing my path. Let Your goodness follow behind me, covering my past.

I surrender my will and my way. Like Moses, I declare: "If Your presence doesn't go with me, I'm not going." I want You more than I want comfort, success, or approval. I want to know You deeply and intimately.

Reveal Your glory to me, Lord. Transform me by Your light. Change me as I draw near to You.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Reflection Questions

1. What are you willing to sacrifice to encounter God's presence?
2. How often do you intentionally create space to be alone with God?
3. Have you been more focused on God's presents or His presence?
4. What would change in your life if you truly believed God's glory goes before you and His goodness follows behind you?
5. Are you walking with God intimately, or just occasionally checking in?
6. What does the "grass" of your prayer life look like right now?
7. Have you asked God to reveal His glory to you personally?

Action Steps This Week

• Create a daily tent of meeting - Set aside 15-30 minutes each day to be alone with God
• Pray Moses' prayer - "Lord, show me Your glory" and wait in His presence
• Study Jesus' transfiguration - Read Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36
• Journal about God's glory - Write down how you've seen or experienced God's presence
• Memorize James 4:8 - "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you"
• Examine your priorities - Are you pursuing anything more passionately than God's presence?
• Walk your prayer path - Establish a consistent time and place to meet with God

The Bottom Line

This Christmas, you don't need another present. You need His presence.

You don't need more stuff under the tree. You need more time in the tent.

You don't need better circumstances. You need to encounter His glory.

Jesus is the glory of God revealed. He is the light of the world. He is the manifestation of everything Moses longed to see.

And here's the incredible news: What Moses couldn't fully experience, you can. Through faith in Jesus Christ, you have access to the very presence of God. His glory goes before you. His goodness follows behind you. You are completely surrounded by His love.

So this Christmas season, make the bold request that Moses made: "Show me Your glory."

Then watch what God does when you draw near to Him.

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