Luke 2:1-21
Luke gives us a snapshot of Jesus' birth and what was taking place in the days leading up to this important event in Luke 2:1-21. Joseph and a very pregnant Mary travel to Bethlehem because of a census being imposed by Caesar Augustus. "And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn" (vs. 6-7). Definitely not what you'd expect for the Son of God.
So what does how Jesus came to earth and the circumstances surrounding his birth reveal to us about God--His character, His love, His desire for relationship with us? Tami W.
One of the things that the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus say to me is "It's not about us". What I mean by that is the circumstances that Mary and Joseph endured were certainly not easy. God didn't "have" to make it so difficult on Mary and Joseph. But it was never about Mary and Joseph. What an amazing story God was telling. How boring would our Christmas pageants be without animals, mangers and shepherds??? God was unfolding a story that would resonate with billions of people over the next two thousand years, and in reality, that story was not about the comfort of Mary and Joseph. God has not changed His methods. God desires to use each of us to tell a story and that story is not primarily about our comfort. Will we, like Mary and Joseph, be willing to be obedient, to be faithful characters in the story, not knowing how God will use our story? I hope we will.
GOD'S timing is amazing and after all these years I am still surprised. today in a reading of Isaiah 44:2a NIV, Isaiah refers to Jacob whom GOD the CREATOR made Jacob, formed Jacob in the womb, and will help Jacob, Today's P4 verse tells of the birth of JESUS. Jacob, JESUS, and me were made by GOD our FATHER, WHO knew us before our time on earth.
Wrap you mind around that thought.
blessing from gary....
I hope you are all ok in Israel after the bombing?
Chris, thanks for asking about the safety of the Back to the Bible Israel tour group.
Below is a portion of an email update from Back to the Bible CEO, Arnie Cole.
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I [Arnie] just got off the phone with Tami Weissert today and they [Israel tour group] were approximately 1 mile from a bomb blast at a bus stop that killed one person and injured several. We are so thankful to the Lord that no one from the BttB tour was injured but our hearts go out to the Israeli families that were hurt.
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Please keep the Israeli people in your prayers during this difficult time.
Read the complete news story:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/03/23/jerusalem.explosion/index.html?hpt=T2
Meredith
P4 Team Member
Why didn't the shepards ask directions? They knew where to go based on the information the angels supplied. See Mica 4:8
It shows that God does all things to suit Him.His ways are perfect,it takes neither grandeur or importance to be used if God want to use it so.Everything great or small will glorify Him.
To me this whole story shows the awesomeness and sovereignty of GOD. He spoke of our Savior coming from the lineage of David and the way he chose for it to happen amazes me. His ways,thoughts etc are definately not ours as stated also in his WORD. I am assured that if HE said it, it will be and our position is to rest in the assurance that GOD's WORD will come to pass no matter how, in what form or fashion but that it will. GOD promised us that JESUS is coming again. We do not know how or when but we do know that HE will and our position is to be ready. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!