A Christmas Gift Like No Other
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7, NIV).
In Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary, a band of homeless shepherds, and three wise men unexpectedly meet to experience God’s blessings. Joseph and Mary are in town to register for a census. Mary is in the last days of her pregnancy. Soon after they arrive, she gives birth to baby Jesus.
At the time of his birth, an angel of the Lord appears before the band of shepherds to announce Jesus’ birth. The shepherds run to the village and find the first family. They are overcome with joy and so are all the people they share the news with. Three wise men see a shining star that leads them to Jesus’ exact location. They worship Jesus and present him with expensive gifts.
The Christmas story describes who God is and how God moves in our lives. There was no big media event for all the world to see. Neither was there a town crier, 62 gun salute, or a stream of social media messages that Christ the Lord is born. It was personal and peaceful. A helpless infant born to poor parents was the way God gently eased into human history to bring love, joy, and peace to all. Homeless shepherds were the only ones to receive the announcement. Through God’s way, no one is outside the boundary of God’s love. God’s movement in our lives is the same today as it was in the past.
God’s gift to us is not a package we’ll find under a Christmas tree. The Christmas season comes and goes. God’s gift has been packaged in such a way that it will last throughout eternity. My prayer is that your daily walk with the Lord will be filled with the gifts of godly joy and peace.
“Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings, Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.”
~Charles Wesley
The above post is taken from my book: Living Water for the Thirsty Soul: 365 Stories of Hope Health and Healing found: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732039615
