Rejoice

Rain

She stared at the sky. It opened up. It had never rained like this before. Great torrents of healing water fell from the sky. 

It consumed the darkness and spread the light. It pursued fear and overcame it quickly. It flowed, like a river, a mighty Niagara, cutting stone, destroying but shaping, conquering but freeing, choosing this way or that. For a reason. In this direction. This is the way. And then that. This and then that. 

It is transformative rain from the river of life. 

The season is here. 

"If Winter should say she holds Spring in her heart, 

who would believe Winter?" 

You did not believe it, but it is here. 

Spring has come. 

Isn't it beautiful?

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

1 Peter 1:3-5

According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a 

salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Amazing...