With Christmas less than a week a way, my mind and thoughts and what I have taught have been on Christmas...preparing for it, buying gifts, getting through my last week at work before break, and teaching as much as I can about what Christmas is really about before it comes and goes. Today in my Sunday school, I read a little bit about each important figure in the Bible that has something to do with The Christmas Story. I then challenged my students to think about either which one they are most like or which one they would like to be more like. It was neat to hear their thoughts on this as well as if they could give Jesus one gift, what would it be. I challenged myself to think in this same way. Who would I be like and what would I give Jesus? My thoughts: I feel I am most like Joseph. Why? There are several reasons. Because at first Joseph, being a just man quietly called off his relationship with Mary because of what he thought others might think of him knowing that her being pregnant before they were married was wrong and that she could possibly be stoned for it. I feel like a lot of times, I don't always do what God has laid on my heart because I am afraid of what others may think. But not only that, I also am afraid of getting in trouble when it comes to doing something wrong. I am a lot like him because I hate hurting others feelings or making them feel bad; therefore, like him if I had to do something that may hurt someone else, I would do it quietly as not to offend or show publicly whatever it may be.
Joseph being a just man, not only did what was right but he also tried to do it in a right way. He knew Mary's child was not his; therefore, he knew he needed to call off the engagement; however, he was determined to do it in a way that would not show public shame to Mary. But then an angel came to Joesph, telling him, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." Wow! And you know what Joseph, he accepted what the angel said and went home to take Mary as his wife. He trusted God and knew this was part of God's perfect plan. Are you like Joseph? Do you hope to be more like him?
Mary was a woman who trusted God with all her heart! She may have been afraid and even wondered why God would use her or choose her for such an important role in his perfect plan, but yet she said, "I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Once again I have to say Wow! I couldn't imagine, living in today's world where it is almost becoming normal, knowing that I wasn't married and pregnant. To me, it would be very hard to accept this and do as the Lord wanted. I knorw I say often whatever he wants or lays
on my heart I will do, but how often does a situation like that come up where it will put shame on us as a wordly view? Sometimes I wonder and really
wonder if I would have been able to say yes and be ok with it. It would be so hard knowing what others may think
of me if I accepted such a task as that! What would you do in that situation? Would you be like Mary and be obedient knowing you could be stoned to death? Ouch?!?! What a hard decision that would be! I can guarantee to you that Mary is definitely someone I strive to be more and more like every day!
Three Wise Men gave their most prized possessions to Jesus. They were excited to meet Baby Jesus and wanted to give Him something as great as they could. They traveled thousands of miles to see Jesus, worship him, and give him gifts. So many times today, we wait on God to come to us, but really we should be seeking Him and what He has for us. We should be going that extra mile to spend time with Him and to seek His perfect plan for us rather than wait on Him to come to us. Are you like the wisemen who will travel as far as needed to find the Lord and worship him and give him your most prized possessions?
These are just a few examples of important people in the Christmas Story. Open your heart. Pray that God will speak to you as you read. Then open his Word. Study it and learn all you can about the birth of Jesus and the important people that led up to it. I know you will be blessed if you do! I was! And learned so much about each of these important, but normal, everyday people, that played such an important role in the birth of Jesus and God's perfect plan for us! Can you believe that God loved us so much that He sent HIS only son to die for us! He watched his son be in pain for us! Because he loved that much! Give Him some of your time this week! I pray that I will remember to do the same as I am finalizing gifts for my husband and buying my last minute gifts. I love you all and Merry Christmas to you and your family!
