But this holiday season has changed my attitude. This year we have been blessed with a small miracle. Oliver Thomas was born on November 14th. And he was a miracle for he was born with the cord wrapped around his neck three times! We are blessed that the doctors finally decided to do a C-section or it is possible I would not have a beautiful little grandson.
In looking at little Oliver, I am reminded of another baby that came into this world some two thousand years ago. That baby was also tiny, helpless, truly dependent on a teenaged mother for his care. He did not have the option of hospitals or doctors to make sure he arrived safely. He did not even have a bed in which to lay.
A newborn. What was God thinking to put all of His eggs in one basket? The creator of the heavens and earth, the God of all things; what was He thinking?? A baby, helpless, totally dependent on a young, inexperienced mother, and not even born at home but in a drafty, dirty barn. A million things could have gone wrong. But they didn't. In fact, everything was pre-planned by his Father. That baby fulfilled every prophecy attributed to him in the scriptures. What are the chances of that happening? I could take you through the law of mathematical probability but it would take too long. Needless to say the probability that over three hundred prophecies would be fulfilled by one person is 1 in 480 billion x 1 billion x 1 trillion. In other words, as close to impossible as you can get.
I passed a flock of sheep today with the shepherd out amongst them. God chose the lowest of the low to reveal the news of the birth of His son. Shepherds were as close to outcasts in society as any could be. But it was shepherds who first saw the child. They were in the fields tending the flocks for the temple sacrifices. Little did they know they were viewing the ultimate sacrifice for all men on earth. Do think they ever wondered why they were chosen for this incredible occasion? Do you think anyone believed them when they shared this remarkable news? Did they even understand what they were witnessing?
And what about this child's mother? We know that she "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) She expounds on her feelings in the Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55. She knew, but I wonder if she really understood. Certainly she didn't know that 33 years later she would be grieving at the foot of a cross that held her firstborn. She would cradle him in her arms once again in his death. It must have cut her to the core to see this child of hers scourged, beaten, mocked, and ultimately sacrificed. Was she aware of the predictions of his death in the scriptures?Did she marvel every time he did or said something? Did she wonder if he really was the son of God? Did she look upon him as her son . . . or His son? Was she angry with God for allowing this to happen to her baby boy? I can not even imagine what she must have gone through.
And poor Joseph. This wasn't his child. And yet God placed the care and upbringing of this baby into his hands. His wife, whom he had probably been betrothed to since she was very young, was carrying an illegitimate child. He was humiliated enough to abandon her had not God intervened. Was it difficult to raise God's son? I would imagine you might be second guessing every parenting decision you made. And perhaps wondered where you fit into his life as a parent. Did he resent this child?
The wise men knew. Not that this child was the savior of the world, but they had known for centuries that a king of great importance was coming. I am sure they envisioned the majesty of thrones and crowns and kingdoms. They brought gifts that indicated all of that. Do you think they wondered when this "king" they had visited as a child was sacrificed on a cross? Had they made a mistake? Did they read the stars wrong?
Jesus probably had everything against him by earthly standards. But he had God as his Father which trumps all else. God is the father of details. He is the master of miracles. He is the giver of life. And we, the lowly, are the recipients of His eternal gift. We can't wrap this gift in a box. But we can share it with others, not just at Christmas, but every day of the year. This year give the gift of life to everyone you know. Give them a miracle. Give them the ultimate love story that was ever written. Just give them . . .
As I look at little Oliver in all his dependent helplessness, tears of joy flow down my cheeks. He is a miracle. Every child is a miracle. If a child does well in life, he can change the world around him. But the one that was born two thousand years ago in a manger has changed the world for all eternity.
I was introduced to this Christmas song last year and it is near and dear to my heart. If you have not heard it, look it up on the net. The last verse tears my heart wide open. Hallelujah!
A
Hallelujah Christmas
I’ve
heard about this baby boy
Who’s
come to earth to bring us joy
And
I just want to sing this song for you.
It
goes like this, the fourth, the fifth,
The
minor fall, the major lift
With
every breath I’m singing Hallelujah.
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
A
couple came to Bethlehem
Expecting
child, they searched the inn
To
find a place for you were coming soon.
There
was no room for them to stay
So
in a manger filled with hay
God’s
only Son was born, Oh Hallelujah
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The
shepherds left their flocks by night
To
see this baby wrapped in light
A
host of angels lead them all to you
It
was just as the angels said
You’ll
find him in a manger bed
Immanuel
and Savior, Hallelujah
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
A
star shown bright up in the east
To
Bethlehem, the wise men three
Came
many miles and journeyed long for you
And
to the place at which you were
Their
frankincense and gold and myrrh
They
gave to you and cried out Hallelujah
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
I
know you came to rescue me
This
baby boy would grow to be
A
man and one day die for me and you
My
sins would drive the nails in you
That
rugged cross was my cross too
Still
every breath you drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Do you realize that His cross was your cross too? Do you really understand that it was your sin that nailed him there? He was God. He could have removed himself from the situation at any time, but he didn't. It was love that held him there. Mull that over as you worship this holiday season!
Just Writing on the River Road
Thank you for sharing beautiful
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