Strange Way to Save the World

Wow, it's December already! It's difficult to comprehend how quickly a year can pass and every year, as I'm sure most of my adult readers understand, seems to click by at an increasingly quicker tempo. But, no matter how quickly December arrives, I love this time of year!

I love Christmas! I think I learned to love this season from my Mom. I sing with Christmas songs on the radio and cd's well into January. If you happen to pass me while I'm driving alone during this time of year, and you see me singing like I'm in a rock concert, please don't laugh at me; just wish me a Merry Christmas. I love watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (his heart was two sizes too small) and "It's a Wonderful Life" (You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary.).

I don't care to decorate, but I love decorations. It was a very pleasant surpise this week to come home and find Christmas decorations beginning to appear around the house. And yesterday, I found great joy watching the kids decorate the tree. They had a great time and did a wonderful job!

Aside from all of the festivities associated with the Christmas season, I am most excited by what Bethany sang about in her Chistmas program tonight. The kids were all in character--some were angels, some were wise men, some were shepherds, Mary and Joseph were there holding a doll that substituted nicely for the baby Jesus--and sang from their hearts the reason we celebrate. Their presentation was titled "The Stranger in the Manger" and made me reflect on the mysterious ways in which God operates.

The Son of God was made the Son of man so that He could redeem the sins of all people. But His arrival was unremarkable. Born of a virgin, in a small town in which the travel-weary couple could not even find a room.

God's gift in the manger was the first Christmas gift! His death, burial and resurrection are powerful; I praise God for His grace. But first He was made a man; and it all started in a manger! That's why I love Christmas!

30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for
you have found favor with God.
31 "And behold, you will conceive in
your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
32 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end."
34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"
35 The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:30-35 (NASB)

Enjoy December! Celebrate God's first Christimas gift! Sing loudly!

-Spleen sends.