Friday

December 18

The story of Christ’s Nativity is a story of God’s concern and intercession for man.  Some speculate that God is unconcerned with the things of this world.  That like a toy top God started the world to spinning and now just sits on His throne observing what happens in the world.

The story of the incarnation makes it obvious that nothing could be further from the truth.  Matthew, in his account of the events surrounding Jesus’ Birth, writes, “Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet.” 

Matthew 1:22 (HCSB)

Hundreds and even thousands of years before the birth of the Messiah, the prophecies had foretold how the Messiah would be born and under what circumstances.  With the birth of Jesus, now God had to orchestrate the events so that they would happen just as He had promised through the prophets.

Mary, the young virgin, would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14. Caesar Augustus ordered the Census that would bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem at just the right time to fulfill the words of the prophet Micah in 5:2.  Herod would try to kill this heir to the throne which would initiate the move from Bethlehem to Egypt so the prophecy of Hosea 11:1 could be fulfilled. 

Christmas reminds us of God’s concern for His creation.  Christmas is a reminder of God’s concern for each and every one of us.  So the next time you are tempted to think that God doesn’t care about you and isn’t concerned about what happens to you, think about that first Christmas and remember… God cares.

Prayer: God, what a wonderful thing to know that you are concerned about every aspect of our lives.  Lord, move us into a closer walk with you that we may be aware of all the ways You are working in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.