Christmas Eve
Today is Christmas Eve - the day before the birth of the Christ-child. It's the day children are waiting to end and adults are using to buy that last gift, especially us husbands. Christmas Eve ushered in the birth of our Savior. It proclaimed the coming of the Messiah. It prepared the world for Immanuel - God with us in flesh.
Who would have thought that God would have done it this way? I wouldn't have. I'm too "bigger-is-better." I would have been like many of the Jews in that day, looking for a rescuer to come riding in from the mountains like Conan the Barbarian or with a might army like William Wallace ready to fight for my freeeeddddoooommmmmm!!!! Ok, that was probably a little over the top, but you get what I'm saying. Only the Lord God would have thought of sending us a Savior, the payment for the penalty of mankind's sin through the birth and life of a child.
Christmas Eve was also special to a young Jewish couple. Mary - was about to give birth to the Messiah. Was she in labor by now? Were the contractions beginning to get stronger? Was she concnerned about giving birth to her first born without the help of family or friends? As her body prepared itself to present the world with it's Rescuer, did her mind go back to the visit by Gabriel, God's angelic messenger. Did she think of the words he shared with her? Did she think about her own words, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said."?
And Joseph? I mean holy stinkin' cow! What must have been running amok through his mind!!!! Do you suppose his mind rushed about wondering what he was supposed to do sans the help of family and/or friends? Did he just let nature take its course and trust God? Did he realize what was about to happen and the responsibility he was about to undertake?
Can't answer these questions and don't know anyone who can. But I do know that Christmas Eve was the last day things would remain the same. It was the last day before history would be changed for all of time. When Jesus breathed his first breath of cool earthly air life for mankind would never be the same, and Christmas Eve was the doorman to this incredible event.
I also know that. . .
Mike
.
Who would have thought that God would have done it this way? I wouldn't have. I'm too "bigger-is-better." I would have been like many of the Jews in that day, looking for a rescuer to come riding in from the mountains like Conan the Barbarian or with a might army like William Wallace ready to fight for my freeeeddddoooommmmmm!!!! Ok, that was probably a little over the top, but you get what I'm saying. Only the Lord God would have thought of sending us a Savior, the payment for the penalty of mankind's sin through the birth and life of a child.
Christmas Eve was also special to a young Jewish couple. Mary - was about to give birth to the Messiah. Was she in labor by now? Were the contractions beginning to get stronger? Was she concnerned about giving birth to her first born without the help of family or friends? As her body prepared itself to present the world with it's Rescuer, did her mind go back to the visit by Gabriel, God's angelic messenger. Did she think of the words he shared with her? Did she think about her own words, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said."?
And Joseph? I mean holy stinkin' cow! What must have been running amok through his mind!!!! Do you suppose his mind rushed about wondering what he was supposed to do sans the help of family and/or friends? Did he just let nature take its course and trust God? Did he realize what was about to happen and the responsibility he was about to undertake?
Can't answer these questions and don't know anyone who can. But I do know that Christmas Eve was the last day things would remain the same. It was the last day before history would be changed for all of time. When Jesus breathed his first breath of cool earthly air life for mankind would never be the same, and Christmas Eve was the doorman to this incredible event.
I also know that. . .
Love Came Down at Christmas ,In all the hub-bub to get through this day - last minute shopping, baking, preparing, welcoming family and friends - don't forget to thank God for Christmas Eve.
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign
From Love Came Down at Christmas, Jars of Clay
Mike
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