What we have remembered in the last few weeks; it took great amount of planning and orchestration to complete the Christmas story.
Like the many characters making up a play, each had a specific role and circumstance that brought them in at their appointed time.
God directed and placed each and every one of them so that the story could be fulfilled.
John 3:16
[16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.]
God sent a Savior. HE sent Hope into a dark world.
He sent life giving hope to a world seeking something that could save them.
I believe nothing was by accident.
God knew Mary would need Joseph. He also knew Joseph would need Mary.
He also knew Mary would need the encouragement from Elizabeth.
He knew Jesus would need John to pave the way for him.
He knew the Shepherds would not be believed as credible witnesses, unless they SAW with their eyes and shared what they seen with great conviction and truth.
He knew the wise men had to bring specific gifts so scripture could be fulfilled.
He knew Simeon would need a sign that the one he had been waiting for was born.
He knew Anna would need Simeon to agree that this child was the one.
God knew a Savior was the only way.
He had Gabriel show up and make a ‘point’ through the words, “Do not be afraid, I am here to say something to you.” Even Gabriel was a carefully planned out character.
Isn’t it like a God who cares, to create the need for relationship?
Without relationship we cannot know God’s love for us.
We cannot know love for others either.
He used relationship as an example for us to live more fully and He gave His Son so we could SEE Him.
Isn’t it so simple and so lovely?
The brutality of birth and later the brutality of death was all a part of the Christmas story.
Isn’t it like God to use life and death as an example of love and hope?
And I often even wonder about the donkey Mary rode on; while going to the stable.
Jesus also had a donkey later on as he entered the road towards his death.
There are years between the birth of a baby and the death of a man.
We are not told about what he did, or what Joseph did.
We do know there was relationship.
There is so much to think about in this ‘whole’ Christmas story.
I pray I have challenged you to do your own searching and study.
It is the greatest story ever told. The story of love.