The humble beginnings of Christ (Christmas) and the horrible ending of Christ (Cross) were both amazing BUT you wanna know what has struck me as more amazing? HE CHOSE BOTH...He knew they both would NOT be good but He chose to come anyway! You know why? HE CHOSE THE MANGER AND THE NAILS FOR YOU!
He could've had the angels tell Joseph and Mary to go to somewhere else..."Ok, guys if you go to Bethlehem Inn they won't have any rooms and I'll have to be born in a feeding trough...so go a little down the road and there is this sweet Bed & Breakfast. Just tell them God sent you and you'll get a discounted rate." NO, He didn't but He could have! I would have! He chose the humble beginnings!
This hit me this weekend like it never has before. While teaching the kiddo's at Calvary about how Mary and Joseph traveled 80 miles to endure a cold smelly cave to deliver the coming King!? I asked them if any of them had emailed their parents before they were born...communicated in any way before hand to tell them to move to America, get nice jobs, find a nice hospital, and a nice home so that when they came into the world they would be living how they are now. They laughed...so did I...but it is so true. We had NO control over our situation before hand. We had NO way of dictating where, what, when, and how we would be born or what we'd be born into. Jesus did. He sent Angels to comfort Mary and Joseph, to direct them, and yet he didn't try to improve the situation at all. I know this was an act of humility as well as a learning experience for the young couple that helped transform their lives and countless others for 2000 years.
I can't help to have tears well up in my eyes and a shout on the tip of my tongue when I think of how blessed I am. How God allowed me to be born in America, the land of the free, in an amazing Godly family, a heritage of Christianity dating back far before I was a thought. When I think of the people that I spent time with over in Kenya and the kids that may not even get food on Christmas let alone gifts... when I think of how I throw away more money, food, and just things a year than several families combined will see maybe in a lifetime in some parts of the world... when I think of how Christ saw the entire timeline of His existence on this Earth... the humble beginnings, the misunderstandings, the underestimating, the questioning, the rejection, the anger, the pure hatred, the beatings, the humiliation, the hardcore murder, the back of God as He had to turn away from the sin being placed on the shoulders of this Man-this God Man Christ Jesus who WILLINGLY took it all in... all MY sin and shame...
Jesus saw all of this...every detail...and still...HE CHOSE IT FOR ME. Hallelujah, Praise the name of the Lord, Jesus thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so unworthy yet mad worthy by the blood of the lamb... In my sin yet even then Christ shed his blood for me! I will never ever ever ever ever be the same and want the world to know that JESUS SAVES. And THAT is why we celebrate Christmas!
While I type this at work I literally cannot control my emotions and tears are flooding down my cheek and God does something unique as I was just asked to leave and go pick up a guy from the airport...so He made a way for me to get out of here, cry, shout, and glorify His holy name! Thank you Lord for even the little things!
Thank you readers for your love and prayers...keep them coming!
In Christ,
KYLE
