Everything about the Christmas story is miraculous, wouldn't you agree?
That an angel would visit a young girl in her hometown of Nazareth with news that, even though she was a virgin, she was about to bear a son who would be the Son of God, the Savior of the world.
"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High." (Luke 1:31-32a ESV)
That this young woman's betrothed would go along with this plan.
"And the angel said to him, 'Joseph, Son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you will call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.' When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him." (Matthew 1:20, 24 ESV)
That the emperor would call for a census that would require Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem, just at the time the baby was due to be born, thus fulfilling prophecies given hundreds of years earlier.
"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David." (Luke 2:1, 3-4 ESV)
"But you, O Bethlehem Ephratha, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from old, from ancient days." (Micah 5:2 ESV)
That Mary and Joseph would arrive in Bethlehem just in time for the baby to be born. That the sky would be filled with angels announcing the Baby's birth. That they would first announce it to shepherds, who were the lowliest of the low in that society.
And on and on we could go. Everything about that first Christmas was miraculous.
Our pastor, Dr. Don Wilton, has taught us that a miracle is something only God could do. Certainly, as we read the story of that first Christmas, we find that to be true.
If you've been reading this blog for very long, then you are aware that we are trying to sell our house. And right now we are in need of another Christmas miracle. We have potential buyers who are very interested in purchasing our house. The hiccup in that deal is that they also want to buy additional property surrounding ours. That means that these potential buyers and the owner of the surrounding property must come to an agreement before these buyers will make an offer on our property. And right now, the prospects for that are looking very bleak.
Might I ask you to join us in praying for another Christmas miracle? Specifically, that these potential buyers and the property owner would reach an agreement so that an offer could be made to us for our property? And further, that it would be a good offer, one we can accept. And finally, that we would be at peace throughout this process. That's the miracle we're looking for this Christmas.
Thank you for partnering with us in prayer!
"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10 ESV)
Listen to Celtic Woman sing The First Noel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bts7ndhPw4
No comments:
Post a Comment