Posted on December 22, 2022 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call
In the spirit of Christmas Eve…
This is the time of year when we think “Are the gifts going to arrive on time?”, “How many people are coming for Christmas dinner?”, “Is the Christmas tree big or tall enough?”, etc. The list goes on. But our Christmas looks a lot different than Mary and Joseph’s did. They were given a gift of a child, and not just any child, God’s Son Jesus. The King of the world.
But for a moment, put yourself in Mary and Joseph’s shoes… Mary being 9 months pregnant, riding on the back of a donkey for 90 MILES going from their home in Nazareth to Bethlehem. What they must have gone through in those 90 miles? How uncomfortable Mary must have been! How scared they were traveling that far, leaving their home and everything in it behind. Only to finally reach their destination being told they have to sleep in a stinky stable because all the “hotel rooms” and “guest spare bedrooms” were taken. And to top things off, now Mary has to give birth in this stinky stuffy stable, instead of a comfy, possibly padded, bed. How humbling, yet confusing.
The King of the universe being born in a stable? With animals and their poopy stalls and stinky, smelly hay. Shouldn’t a King have gold and jewels and riches? You would think so. But that’s what sets Jesus a part. He came to this earth as a humble baby; and as He grew older, He never sinned. He remained perfect, spotless, guiltless, and blameless. That’s why one of Jesus’ many names is the Lamb of God. He was put on this earth so long ago to be the perfect, spotless, guiltless, and blameless sacrifice for my life and yours. He went to the cross to pay for your life and mine so that one day, when we die, we can live with Jesus in Heaven.
So today, there’s only one question that really matters… “Do you have Jesus in your heart?” If you’d like to make that decision permanent, please call (800)453-7942 to speak with someone.
Written by Elizabeth Welte: Elizabeth is currently serving as Keswick’s full-time Marketing Department head. She is married to Zach Welte, son of Bill Welte, who also serves Keswick in Keswick’s AV Department. She is an advanced violinist; playing for 20+ years. She also rides & jumps horses in her spare time.
Think About This: “The giving of gifts is not something man invented. God started the giving spree when He gave a gift beyond words, the unspeakable gift of His Son.” – Author Unknown
The Daily Bible Reading: Nahum 1-3; Revelation 13 You can download our 2022 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, Hear me in the truth of Your salvation.” Psalm 69:13
Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.
