Unto us...

Happy Sunday!

Our guest speaker today was Dr. Keith Hershey.  He encouraged us to change our perspective on the Christmas Story.  It made me think of a report I saw in the news.  Evidently some group decided to present a "Charlie Brown Christmas" and remove the portion including the recital of the Christmas story from the Book of St. Luke.  The crowd reportedly recited that portion themselves!

The story of the birth of Jesus Christ is astonishing!  Never let the miracle be diminished. As you enjoy the holiday, remember that the All Powerful, All Knowing, Ever Present God had you in mind.  He loves you and his love for you motivated a wonderful gift.

Luke 2:1 says, "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed."(KJV)  God can use anyone, anywhere, and at any time to get your miracle to you!  Don't miss this!  God inspired Isaiah to prophesy hundreds of years before..."For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)  He also  prophesied, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)  I know what you are thinking!  Why did it take so long for Jesus to come?  That's a great question!  Man has dominion on the earth.  In order for anything to happen in this earth, a man has to speak it!  We are created in the image of God.  He speaks and things happen.  We also have the authority to speak and things happen.  In Mark 11:23 Jesus said, "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall SAY unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; HE SHALL HAVE WHATSOEVER HE SAITH." (KJV)  OK, I get it...you don't want to move a physical mountain!  But what about a mountain of debt, sickness, or trouble?

Back to our story...Long before GPS, another prophet foretold the location of the savior's birth. Luke 2:4 says, "And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)"(KJV)  So after hundreds of years, all the pieces fell into place.  Luke 2:7 says, "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."  Even the birth of Jesus pointed to his death and sacrifice.  He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, and would one day be wrapped in grave clothes.  He was placed in  a manger, and one day would be placed in a borrowed tomb.  There was no room in the inn, and sadly sometimes there is no room in the hearts and lives of the very people he came to save. Just want to stop and interject...they did not stay in the stable because they did not have any money!  They had money!  There was just no room in the local inn!

So Jesus was born and the angels went out to tell the everyday working people, those poor souls working the night shift!  I've worked the night shift before, and it's no joke!  Luke 2:9-10 says, "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." (KJV)  The angels gave the shepherds directions to the place where the baby Jesus could be found. Then the heavenly choir of angels began to sing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14 (KJV)  Did you get that?  The scripture says peace and good will TOWARD men.  God was declaring that he was no longer angry with man.  He was declaring that through Jesus man could have peace and goodwill.  We can see in the daily news that peace and goodwill are not the norm in our society or the world. God invaded the troubled world with the Prince of Peace.  Anyone willing to accept the Prince of Peace can enjoy perfect peace.  John 14;27 says, "I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid." (Easy-to-Read Version)

I'm praying that this holiday season is the happiest you have ever enjoyed!  I pray that you recognize the wonderful gift that has been given to you!  I pray that you understand how much you are loved, how much you are cared for, and how much God still has in store for you!

Love and prayers, Cynthia