The past few years have been educational for us all. While navigating the pandemic, social unrest, and financial troubles, we have learned about ourselves, about social dynamics, about trust in God, and about the necessity of a genuine relationship with God – rather than just with doctrine or the church. As the entire world was shaken, the faith of good-hearted people matured, even as others have abandoned their faith. His story continues to unfold, just as prophesied in scripture. Believers are learning to walk a steep, foggy path by listening carefully for the voice of their shepherd.
The Christmas story reminds us that God is running the universe and that He can do what needs to be done, in spite of people and circumstances. God designed life so that people can play important roles in His story – but only if they want to. He also made sure that neither people nor devils can mess up His plot. For example, God invited Mary and Joseph to be guardians of the Messiah. They agreed. People misunderstood them. Circumstances seemed to work against them. The government caused them great inconvenience. A politician killed many babies in an effort to kill their baby. Mary & Joseph had no clue how to fulfill all the prophecies concerning the birth of Jesus. They just agreed to do their part, and live their lives to the best of their ability. God did the rest, and today most of the world sets their calendars to the day Jesus born, even if they don’t believe in the God who set it all in motion.
What many people don’t know about the Christmas story is that the circumstances of Jesus’ birth were much more God-directed that anyone realized. Not only was He born in the town of Bethlehem as prophesied in Micah 5:2, but He was likely born at a very specific place called Migdal Eder, as prophesied in Micah 4:8. This was a place where lambs were born – lambs that were destined to be sacrifices for sins. Jesus was not born in a random stable that just happened to be available because Mary and Joseph’s lives were being jacked around. When it seemed that their lives were being disrupted, God was really directing them to the exact town and location that would fulfill all the prophecies. Jesus’ life fulfilled at least three hundred prophesies that were written by multiple authors from many different time periods. He was born under a star that may have been the alignment of stars and planets. Mary and Joseph had no way to figure out how to make Jesus’ birth take place under a star not far from angels who would declare His birth to shepherds. All they could do is trust and obey.
This year my my wife wrote a Christmas presentation called “The Lamb,” in which she shares some interesting things about the Christmas story that I have never heard before. It reveals just how intricate and beautiful God’s plan was, and how everything was fulfilled as God directed the cast. The presentation will be posted on our website by December 19th, in hopes that many people will be heartened that God will do what He has promised despite people and circumstances. His plot is unstoppable.
Jesus’ birth was prophesied, and came to pass just as He planned, in spite of the adverse actions of devils and people. The same Bible also prophesied that there would come a time of trouble on earth that would include a one-world government and anti-Christian bigotry. We are seeing that part of the story fulfilled in our day. Thankfully, those prophesies also declare that, even as mankind becomes more stubborn toward God, there will be many people who will have their eyes opened, and will turn to God during those difficult times – in spite of the adverse actions of devils and people. As God continues to invite people to join His story, I pray that you will be one of those blessed people who embrace your role in His story and find peace and joy in obedience to Him during this season of celebration. His plot is unstoppable, your part in it is optional.
My wife, Carolyn Hanson, wrote a revelatory play explaining more; it can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1zeuuU9TZc