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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, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace.
(Is. 9:6 KJV)
When glistening Christmas cards come to our house, I somehow get
caught up in surreal pictures of pristine manger scenes with
snowy rooftops and stoic cattle and lambs. Even as a child,
images were formed in my mind, not only of the manger scene, but
also of Mary and the angel who appeared to her. In my mind’s
eye, I could see humble surroundings and a simple Jewish maiden.
I could see an angel telling her not to fear, that she was
highly favored, she would bear a Son and would call his name
Jesus.
Since I am older, the story has become even clearer to me. I
now see why the message the angel came to tell Mary would be
overwhelming for most anyone, especially for a young girl. Mary
was indeed troubled from the angel’s message, but actually her
questions were justified because of her youth and since she had
not known a man intimately. To all of the other complex problems
that lay ahead for her, she willingly accepted what the angel
said with, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me
according to thy word.”
(Luke 1:38)
Near the time her baby was to be born, Mary and Joseph made
their way to Bethlehem because of a census that required them to
travel there. When they arrived in the little town of
Bethlehem, they found that there was no room for them to stay
except a drafty stable in the back of an inn. At least it would
be a place to rest their weary bodies after their long journey.
Mary desperately needed a place to lie down because her time was
quickly approaching.
The sleepy little town of Bethlehem would be known throughout
the world for generations to come because of this holiest of
nights. In fact, it had already been prophesied hundreds of
years before by the prophet Micah as the birthplace of the
Messiah.
But
you Bethlehem Ephratah, though you are small among all the clans
of Judah, out of you will come for me One who will be ruler over
Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.
(Micah 5:2 NIV)
Mary was probably just like any other mother, wanting the very
best for her child. Of all things, she must have wanted God’s
Son to be in born in a clean environment, but he was born in
anything but. This Holy Child the angel said would be Savior of
the world was born in a stable with cattle and livestock. When
I get to this point of the story, my childhood visions suddenly
vanishes!
This young mother had nothing of splendor with which to wrap her
Gift to the world. I am sure she would have loved to have
draped her child in only the most exquisite fabrics but she had
none to do so. The baby destined to be King of Kings and Lord
of Lords, was dressed in what the Bible referred to as swaddling
clothes, and was no doubt homespun at that.
Then her tiny infant was placed in a manger of straw because
there was no place to lay his precious head. It must have been
a sight to behold as the Holy Child, lay sleeping ever so
sweetly, while livestock no doubt ignored this awesome
happening. God’s greatest Gift to mankind was destined to
change lives and bring salvation to all who would accept Him.
The little town of Bethlehem slept on, oblivious that their
Savior, the Messiah, had been born that very night.
Why would God care enough to give the best Gift the world had
ever known? Did he look down and see the anguish of sinful
man? Did he look into their hearts, knowing that the sacrifice
of goats and bulls on the altars was not sufficient to cleanse
them from their wickedness? Was he moved with compassion at the
state of mankind? What would move the heart of Almighty God to
send his innocent darling into the world to change hearts and
lives forever knowing he was headed for a cruel cross?
It had to have been because of love. Love came down on that
Holy Night in the form of a tiny Savior and became God’s Gift to
the world, so innocent and precious. This little One with a
conflicting destiny came because of the love of the Father.
Despite the fact that this tiny Savior would bring salvation, He
was destined for death on a Cross, all because of love.
I’m reminded of an old hymn, “How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be. How marvelous! How wonderful! Is
my Savior’s love for me.” Love was the reason for God’s
Gift to every man, woman, boy and girl who ever graced this
earth. What love, what awesome love that God would send a Gift
of this magnitude even though this Child seemed so insignificant
to the world around him that night.
What could be gained from this love? The names
the Prophet Isaiah gave said His name would be called Wonderful,
Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of
Peace.
(Is. 9:6)
The qualities of His character have been enjoyed throughout the
ages to carry people through in every aspect of their lives.
Whatever the need has been, He has been all of those things. He
not only brought salvation to mankind, but helped them in times
of pain, death, sorrow, turmoil, war, famine, loneliness or
whatever the need.
Jesus is the Counselor when you need some tutoring along the
way. He will be the mighty God when you need an anchor to
sustain you. He will be the Everlasting Father who will never
leave you or forsake you. He will be your Prince of Peace when
peace cannot be found through any other means. He will even
light your path because He is the Light.
Thanks be to God for His marvelous Gift -- Jesus Christ, our
Savior, the Light of the world.
Prayer:
What a treasure to have you as
our Savior, Jesus! What a Gift you are to all. Thank you for
coming to save us from our sins. Thank you that we no longer
have to walk in darkness, but we can walk in the light because
of your grace and because You shed Your light upon us. You are
the Light of the world Jesus! Thank you for your light.
Father, I pray today for those who need to accept Jesus as their
Savior and accept him as King of King and Lord of Lords. I pray
that they will accept him this day and take him at his Word
which is Truth. I pray for lives to be changed and for you to
rescue them from the chains of darkness. I pray that each of us
will open our hearts to you this Christmas season. What better
time to accept You! In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
♫ Tell me the story of Jesus ♫
Write on my heart every word
Tell me the story most precious
Sweetest that ever was told
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