F O O T H O L D 

READING

2 THAT VERY SPECIAL NIGHT

PRAY Help me to grasp again the excitement of this very familiar story,

heavenly Father.

READ Luke 2:120.

THINK What does this story tell us about God?

What should be distinctive about a Christian's celebration of

Christmas?

FOCUS Try to catch the wonder of this most priceless of all stories. The

Old Testament foretold that the Saviour should come by human birth,

at Bethlehem, as a descendant of David, that he would come out of

Egypt, and be connected with Nazareth  a most extraordinary and

unlikely combination.

But God brings together the apparently small events of human

history in unpredictable and amazing ways. Augustus was Emperor in

Rome and he ordered a census. Unknown to himself he was being used

by God to ensure that Jesus was born where the prophecy said he

would be (3,4). God may well sometimes work out his purposes for

you, too, through apparently casual events.

Notice the contrast between verses 7 and 9. Verse 7 tells us about

the birth of a baby in a dark, dismal, dirty, smelly, noisy, damp

Eastern stable. But  just occasionally the unseen world, the world

where God rules over all, breaks in upon ours  as here. The

shepherds caught a glimpse; they shared briefly in the joy and

worship which is the very life of heaven (14).

Imagine yourself leaning over the newborn baby Jesus lying in

straw, in a manger in Bethlehem. Wonder of wonders! The eternal One

has entered into time. History will never be the same again.

PRAY Accept my praises, Lord, as I join the hosts of heaven to declare

your glory.

 

 


Index - Foot Hold in the Bible

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