Thursday, December 12, 2019

God Became Man


But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, 
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 of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2


I think most people have heard the story of Christmas. A young woman and her husband are on a long journey to have themselves counted for a census. On the way home, they stop in a town for the night. There is no room at the inn, so the innkeeper gives them an area in the barn. It's warm and safe. The young woman is 
the Virgin Mary who is about to give birth to the Messiah. 
Of course, no one knows that except her, her husband Joseph, 
and the wise men who will arrive later. 

It is celebrated on December 25, though some historians say it was summer or early autumn, and the Bible gives no date for the event. 

Today, Christmas is celebrated all over the world and not just in Christian cultures. Have you ever seen pictures of Christmas trees in Dubai? (The tree comes from other traditions and makes no appearance in the Bible, unless you count the reprimand in Jeremiah 10 as talking about Christmas trees.)

But back to the story. 

God, the Creator of you and me, and the universe, the South Sea Islands, people near and far, stars in Heaven, clouds, and all of the random things you are thinking of right now, had a son and He was born in a stable. Why would a God who can control everything allow that? The child's mother faced rejection by her fiancé which in that time and culture would have had dire consequences. Why would God allow that? He sent an angel to tell Joseph that Mary had not been unfaithful, the child was a gift from God. Joseph believed the angel. He must have been a man of great faith. 
Though we don't know much about him, his actions speak loudly. 

Why does the story go like this? 

The savior sent by God, the Messiah of His people who reaches His arms out to the whole world, saints and sinners alike, was not born in a palace. He didn't even have a bed. This is a terrible story. I would never write this. It is unbelievable. It is not relatable. But 
it touches me deeply. It says...what does it say? It says, "Sandi, I came for you. You were not rejected. I sent an angel to knock down the tall things in your way. I built the road beneath your feet. I am in the barn. I am the palace. I see you. I hear you. I know you. 
Tell them," and He nudges me and points...to you. 

Merry Christmas!


For unto you is born this day in the City of David
a savior which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11


106 comments:

  1. Some say Jesus was born in a cave, others that he was born in a guest room of a relative's house,as there was no vacant place at the local inn. Probably the room was near the barn, hence the theory of his birth in a barn.

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    1. DUTA, you made me Google! :) I was just reading about these and why some people say cave, others barn, etc...and I came upon another one: Migdal Eder, where they raised the lambs for sacrifice. That one gave me chills! I think I like the barn better.

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  2. Re: Your comment in my blog.... Yes, fog is Dragon's Breath!!!!! -smile- And I love it.

    "Good King Wenceslas looked out
    On the feast of Stephen,
    When the snow lay round about
    Deep and crisp and even."

    ♬ 🎶 ♫

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  3. Beautiful, Sandi!
    Consider me told. One down:)

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  4. True nobility stands in the soul and in the deeds of man and not in the palace in which he is born. That is why Messia was born in a simple place.

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    1. PS-People stand in line to receive a box of 30 lit candles, then sit on their knees and pray until all the candles are burned. Those who succeed in doing this, God fulfills their prayers.

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    2. Thanks, Catalin. I've never heard of that! Is it an Orthodox tradition?

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  5. Yes Yes Yes! This is the REAL Christmas, not glitter and packages, but the great love of God. So ARE there Christmas trees in Dubai?

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  6. Hello, Sandi!

    Merry Christmas to you!

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  7. This is wonderful, Sandi. Thank you for writing it here.

    God bless you always.

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  8. Very beautiful as usual, Sandi!
    Merry Christmas to you!

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  9. Beautiful post thankyou for sharing it with us Sandi,Merry Xmas xx

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  10. Beautifully told Sandi. Merry Christmas!

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  11. You told that so well. Thank you and Amen.

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  12. Yep...go ye into all the world and preach the gospel...

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  13. Beautiful telling Sandi!
    God Bless you and Merry Christmas!♡

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  14. Such a touching post today! It's sad to think of that baby born in such circumstances. And yet, such great joy to think He did all that for me!

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  15. Hi Sandi,
    lovely post. Our beautiful Saviour was the only One Who could enable us to become children of God, and give us eternal life. All glory to Jesus Christ and our Father God. Have a lovely Christmas celebrating this. God bless you and yours.

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    1. Amen... amen.

      I have so much to be thankful for.

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  16. Its a nice and wonderful story. He came for you and me.

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  17. Beautiful Sandi. I was looking at the comments - cave/barn. I think so much of traditional writing and meaning changes with generations and the storyteller. The main thing is that the gist of the story remains. And it is a beautiful one.

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  18. Amen...He came seeking you and me...and all sinners everywhere. Rich and poor, big and small. If He'd been born in a palace we might not believe He could care for us too. God knew exactly the right thing to do. Praise God He sent His Son...and they called Him "Jesus"...He came to love, heal and forgive...He gave His life to buy my pardon...an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives! (Because He Lives...I can face tomorrow...)(song by the Gaithers)

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  19. Sandi: It is a truly terrible story isn't it? And sadly too many babies are born the world over in similar circumstances.
    I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. And that the world finds peace.

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    1. Terrible but triumphant.

      Praying for peace too and the babies in our world in dangerous circumstances. God is close to the brokenhearted.

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  20. HI Sandi! Just beautiful and how I praise my Savior, Jesus, that He left the beauty of Heaven to come down to earth to be our salvation! Thanks for popping in to see me and Merry Christmas!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  21. Thank you so much for your black cat story. Jazz and I loved it.

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  22. He IS born. That's enough for me.

    Z’kharyah: “Praised be Adonai, the God of Isra’el,because he has visited and made a ransom to liberate his people by raising up for us a mighty Deliverer who is a descendant of his servant David. It is just as he has spoken through the mouth of the prophets from the very beginning — that we should be delivered from our enemies and from the power of all who hate us. “This has happened so that he might show the mercy promised to our fathers — that he would remember his holy covenant,the oath he swore before Avraham avinu to grant us that we, freed from our enemies, would serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

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  23. Beautiful Sandi - Are we not filled with joy that God became man and dwelt among us. We have seen His Light. Have a blessed Christmas friend. Hugs!

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  24. have a great Christmas ... i just know that 2020 will be a great one for us all ... thank you for your words. u r so moving. big big hugs. ( ;

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    1. Thank you, E lizard breath! Your name cracks me up. 😂

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  25. Que tenha um Natal cheio de conforto e um ano de 2020 com tudo o que deseja.
    Beijo.

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  26. i hope you have a wonderful christmas sandi. thanks for stopping by my blog so often and also for your very kind comments!!

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    1. Thank you, Debbie! Merry Christmas to you too. 😊

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  27. This was nice to read. You explained it well. Merry Christmas Sandi.

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  28. Com todos os defeitos da tradução, gostei do que li.
    Um abraço e continuação de uma boa semana.

    Andarilhar
    Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
    O prazer dos livros

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  29. Wishing you a Blessed Advent.

    God bless you always.

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  30. I've also heard suggestions that it took place in the spring.

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    1. It would be interesting to find out an exact date!

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  31. Wishing you and your Loved Ones a wonderful and very blessed Christmas Sandi.

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  32. Sandi, this is a beautifully written post. Thank you for this wonderful read and for sharing your faith with us. It doesn't matter what time of the year He was born, what matters is that He was born and came to save us all. Hallelujah and Merry Christmas!

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  33. Sandi, I wish to you and to your loved ones, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, full of health, joy and love.
    A warm and big hug
    Maria

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  34. "This is a terrible story. I would never write this. It is unbelievable. It is not relatable. But it touches me deeply." I have to confess that every year, when I take time to ponder this story, I am absolutely amazed that the Creator Himself would actually do this. It's unfathomable. It touches me deeply as well.

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  35. The story never gets old...
    Merry Christmas, Sandi. 🎄

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  36. What a thoughtful post to read Sandi thank you.

    Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. Merry Christmas to you and Eddie!

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  37. Dear Sandi!
    With Christmas come faith, hope and love. I wish all these things for you and your family during the holiday season:)

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  38. Dear Sandi,
    I wish you and your family a happy and beautiful Christmas. Thank you for this wonderful post. All the best for the coming New Year. God bless.

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  39. So marvelous how God humbled Himself to become a man. Hallelujah what a Savior!

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  40. Hi Sandi wishing you and your family a very Merry Xmas xx

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  41. Feliz Navidad para ti, toda tu familia y amigos.
    Un saludo desde Salamanca.

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  42. God come down, a heavenly Stranger,
    Love to dinners to display.

    As the old hymn says!

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