Friday 21 December, 2018

2 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.

The wonder of CHRISTmas mesmerises me.

God’s plan of love and redemption (deliverance, rescue, atonement and repurchase) for us to be set free.  What a day in history.

He takes Mary (from Nazareth) and Joseph (from Bethlehem) and they go on a journey to Bethlehem because of a Government requirement, which fulfils a prophecy from 700BC – Micah 5 v 2 “From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”

I am overwhelmed by the plan (planned to the exact detail), by the love (willingness and sacrifice), by the humility (born as a child), and the desire of God Himself to be in relationship with me.  I am humbled by the willingness of Mary to be shamed and possibly killed (pregnant before marriage) and Joseph’s courage to assume his responsibility towards her.

I am so grateful for this ETERNAL GIFT – Jesus.

There is no other gift that has had such a profound impact on my life.

No gift under the tree this Christmas will compare with what Jesus has done in my life.

With such simplicity we can release our life to Him and He promises us ALL…His spirit, His love, His grace, His mercy, His forgiveness, His power and His courage……and the list goes on…..

Lord may my hands this Christmas be open.  May I be willing to receive all that you have for me. May I give even more than I receive. Help me this Christmas and in 2018 to be even more like you.

Written by Ps. Sue Botta