Luke 2:1 - "And it came to pass...........
Some time back, Vicki and I, along with our daughter-in-law Robin, and grand daughter Ashley, attended a live nativity scene. It was an awesome experience that really set the tone for our family Christmas that year.
IT was held on a family farm, and there were scads and scads of folks there to enjoy the evening. There were live animals, complete with camel, and children were running around petting every thing on four legs. But when the program started, what was said by the man who was putting on the nativity struck home with me, and I have never forgotten it.
His first words were...."If you came here tonight to hear the Christmas story...well you came to the wrong place. You see, it isn't a story. It is an event. It happened. These were real people caught up in the most incredible move of God's Spirit the world has ever seen." Those words rang in my heart over and over. "It's not a story....it was an event. It's not a story, it was an event."
Kind of put the entire season into a different perspective for me. The opening words of Luke chapter two are...."Now it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered." This was the move that started the event that help to fulfill the prophecy we read about in Micah 5:2 -But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though little you are among the thousands in Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are of old from everlasting.
And so the couple, Mary and Joseph, made the journey....90 miles over the roughest terrain and treacherous paths that made it hard for a strong man to make, let alone a woman with child. But they took the trip....now whether or not these two were aware that the baby had to be born in Bethlehem we are not provided that information. It matters not. God's word and God's plans are not thwarted by anyone or anything.
You know how this event ends.....or at least this part of it. From the manger, the life of Christ moves toward a cross over the next 33 years. Praise God, these events did not end on a hill outside the city of Jerusalem. From the manger to the cross.......and from the cross to a tomb...........From the tomb back to heaven to be seated at the right hand of God.
You see, the event we celebrate this time of year, is still continuing and moving forward. To us life goes on. People are born, people die. But to God, things are falling into place for the most glorious of celebrations that will cause everything that has happened to pale in comparison. As some point in the future (and I believe it may not be that far away) God the Father will turn to His Son, Jesus and "It's time for you to go get Your bride!" What a day that will be. I truly want to be alive when it takes place. But if I'm not, I know that I will rise to meet Him.
Maranatha, Lord Jesus....
Merry Christmas from the "B's" in Attalla / Michael and Vicki
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