Christmas in Review

This year I was deeply touched by our Lord's attention to details, but then He has always been a God who paid close attention to details.

I don't think that when Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world, he knew that he was being used to send Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem so that Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, would be born in the very place it was prophesied that He would be born. It was the place, Bethlehem, where lambs without spot or wrinkle were raised to be sacrificed in the temple. The shepherds who raised and cared for the sheep were the first to recognize and honor the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world for all time. Amazing!! The prophecy was fulfilled. The requirement of the law of the day was honored. (I have posted the scripture below. I know Christmas has passed, but just in case you didn't have the time to be still and read the Christmas story, you can review it now.)

I believe that our wonderful Lord and Savior continues to be interested in the big and small details of our lives. The place we were born, the family we were born into, the place where we live is important in God's plan for our lives. The hurts in our today, the anxieties, the struggles .........He cares about all of that on our behalf. He continues to be able to raise up kings and use even a donkey to speak. We serve a mighty, able God.

My prayer for each of us as we move into the new Roman calendar year 2012 is that we would "see" the beautiful details in our lives so carefully and lovingly crafted by our Savior. That we would "see" and be open to the miracles He has prepared for us from the beginning of time. That we would walk confidently and respectfully under His watchful, guiding lovingkindness. That we would trust Him and submit fully to Him as Lord and Savior. Let us all trust in the Lord with all of our heart and lean not on our own understanding, rather in all ways let us acknowledge Him!! (Proverbs 3:5)

Patricia Wenzel
WOC Graduate

Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while [ a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen: which were just as they had been told. (NIV)