The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

Christmas is miraculous in every sense of the word.

Regardless of what our circumstances are at this present moment, in the midst of busyness that might seem insurmountable, stop for a second with me and consider what Isaiah prophesied 700 years before the birth of the Christ child.

“The Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

This is majestic. “The Lord Himself”
This is miraculous. “Shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son”
This is marvelous. “Call His name Immanuel.” The name means “God with us.”

Blessings on you today. I am blessed to remember that everything about my great big awesome God is not only incredible but also miraculous. I’m going to be thinking about this a lot today. How about you?

What does being “on time” mean to you?
For some dear folks, if the appointment is at 9:00, arriving anywhere being 8:59 and 9:01 is “on time!”
Not me! If the appointment is at 9:00 and I am not in the building waiting by 8:40, I am late.

We really can drive each other to the edge on this one as we “discuss” what it means to be on time. You dear 8:59 crowd and those of us who are the 8:40 crowd probably won’t agree on this one. However, there is something about being on time about which we all can agree. Think of what Paul told the Galatian believers.

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

The Lord Jesus was right on time. He indeed was perfect in every way fulfilling the eternal plan of God to be our perfect substitute sacrifice. It was when the fulness of time had come. Right on time.

Let’s go about our day this way. What a wonderful Savior is the Lord Jesus our Savior. He came right on time.

You can never think too highly of the Lord Jesus Christ. Think of what Gabriel told Mary.

“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).

He shall be great speaks of His authority and ability.
Shall be called the Son of the Highest speaks of His deity.
The throne of David speaks of His royalty.
He shall reign over the House of Jacob speaks of His majesty.
Of His Kingdom there shall be no end speaks of His eternality.

A challenge. Be intentional about your state of awe at the person of Christmas! Make it all about Him because truly it is ALL ABOUT HIM!

In these busy days before Christmas, it’s good to take a deep breath, pause for a moment and think about what the angel told Joseph.

“Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophets, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:20-23).

I just can’t escape this thought for today. Upon God’s Word we place our entire trust. In doing so we graciously, humbly take our stand. God said it. That settles it. We can do no other. What a testimony Joseph is to us.

You have a lot to do today. Take a moment with me to be impressed, blessed, and challenged.

1. Joseph made a discovery. “Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18).

2. Joseph made a determination. “Joseph…was minded to put her away” (Matthew 1:19). This was divorce which would break the engagement.

The angel came and explained everything to him. We’ll think of this tomorrow.

3. Joseph made a decision. “Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name JESUS” (Matthew 1:24-25).

Impressed, blessed, and challenged. That’s just what I am as I consider this young man who trusted the Lord’s plan in spite of what others would say and think about him. Wow!