Some of us listen to the Christmas story every year with perked ears and a joyful heart; others tune their ears off to a story they've heard "a thousand times"; others fight to listen while really pondering all the gifts under the Christmas tree, which really has their captivation; still others have had a hard year, and while this story is joyous and wonderful, they just aren't in the mood for it at the time.
Wherever you find yourself in that mix on this Christmas Eve, I challenge you to take a brief journey with me through the Christmas Story ONCE AGAIN, and let's look at it a little differently. I pray you join me on this journey to see just where your place is in this 2000 year old story!! You don't want to miss it! (If you don't have time or have decided to skip over the recap below - at least check out the portion "Where do I fit into the story?")
Review of the Christmas Story
Matthew 1: 18-2218 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Luke 2: 1-5
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and
she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and
placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for
them.
After Jesus was born, an angel appeared to shepherds in a field nearby and told them about Christ the Lord. They told him that they would find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. There were also Magi who came from the East to Jerusalem to worship the King of the Jews. King Herod was troubled by this news and asked the Magi to let him know when they found the king (of course, his plan was to kill him). Nevertheless, the Magi found baby Jesus, brought him gifts, and bowed to him. Warned in a dream, they did not take the same route back and avoided Herod. An angel also appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him of the danger, so Mary and Joseph took for Egypt and stayed there until Herod's death.
..and the story continues from there to God's son paying the ultimate price for our sins.
So, now, where do YOU fit into the
Christmas Story??
As I said before, we fit into the story because Jesus came to save us, but I just can't help but think that there has to be MORE! While the Christmas story is focused on Jesus, as it should be, have you ever thought about the others (the people in the background) that God used to fulfill his plan. All of the people mentioned in the story were used for a purpose, even though they might not have understood it at the time. Sometimes it's hard to connect with a story that's over 2000 years old, and, if we are honest, it can hard to feel Jesus' presence when we cannot see him, especially in the trying world we live in today.
That is where FAITH has to step in. We have to believe in FAITH in Jesus and have FAITH that we all have a part in His story - which is still continuing! We may not see it at the time, but God has a plan.
So, how can you connect yourself to the story this Christmas?
Let's get REAL for a minute.
Let's get REAL for a minute.
Let's let Jesus take his role as the head - which is where he should be. Now, let's see where we fit into the rest of the characters: Maybe you can relate to...
Mary
(a young virgin who was in love and engaged, and a faithful servant of God; yet, she suddenly finds herself with God's child, causing her fiance to question her, her society to ridicule her, and her life to change forever before her)
You have no clue why you have been dealt the cards you have in life. Why it is you that must go through certain situations. Maybe you have even been a faithful servant, and life just doesn't seem fair. Whatever the case, have faith that God has you in his plan. Mary was used to bring forth the Savior of the World!!
Joseph
(a
young carpenter who was in love and engaged, and a faithful servant of
God; yet, he suddenly find his wife pregnant with a child that is not his, has unexplainable questions, and faithfully adopts a son that is not his)
You wonder how God could use you. You are just an average person with an average job who lives a quiet life. Maybe you think that God doesn't use people like you. Joseph probably thought the same thing. Or, maybe you, too, have adopted children that aren't yours as your own. Maybe you are a step-parent, a foster parent, a teacher, a godparent, or simply one who works with children and loves them as your own. Whatever the
case, have faith that God has you in his plan.
Shepherds
(tending their flock until an angel brings them new news)
Maybe you have just been minding your own business, but God has suddenly given you new information. Maybe you now know you are supposed to do something specific. Maybe you have been given a mission, big or small. Will you follow it? Will you search and go faithfully, even though it may not make sense or you may not have all the answers right now?
Magi - Wise Men
(possibly astrologers in search of the King of the Jews, bearing gifts they came to Jesus)
You have heard of this Jesus guy, and you are searching for the answers. Maybe you're not sure about all this, yet; maybe, you want to serve Him but don't feel worthy enough; maybe, you are already serving Him but don't know that your gifts are enough. The beauty of being in this situation is that Jesus promises that when we seek Him we will find Him. Also, God calls us just as we are. He didn't die for the Righteous; he died for the Sinner. JUST AS I AM!
King Herod
(threatened by the birth of Jesus and ordered to have him killed)
The Star
(it shone brightly and led the wise men to Jesus)
Now, many of you probably feel like me; you find yourself fitting into every one of these categories. The puzzle piece doesn't directly fit - so what now? REJOICE! God has a plan - we have to continue in FAITH and allow God to use us. You may already be right in the middle of his plan - you just might not know it yet. Do you think all of these people knew exactly what their purpose was at the time? Probably not. Just pray whole-heartedly for God to use you like never before, but I must warn you to get ready for the amazing journey that ensues. I have prayed this prayer so many times, and I am still humbled at how God uses me...some I may not even realize yet.
May this Christmas season bring you joy and peace as you find your place in God's story! He has the pen; we just have to obey! Let God write you in his story today! It's never too late.
Love and Blessings!
No comments:
Post a Comment