The One Where God sent Jesus to the World

The people God created messed up the creation. We tend to do that. God saw. God intervened. God sent a Savior - the Messiah. He gave us a way out. A way to be redeemed. He sent us the Redeemer. It was all part of God's plan. He knew the ultimate sacrifice was needed so we wouldn't have to suffer for all eternity for the stupid things we do during our time here on earth. I'm getting ahead of myself though - let's back up a little.

Mary was innocent and pure and loved God with all her heart. God sent an angel to have a wee little chat with Mary. (Luke 1:26-38) It went something like this - Hey Mary! Listen up. You are going to have a Son. Name him Jesus ok? Yeah, yeah - I know you are a virgin and all - the Holy Spirit will take care of the details. Just know that He will be the Son of God and will be super holy and is going to save everyone who accepts Him as their Savior. Oh yeah - one more thing - your relative Elizabeth is going to have a baby too - she's actually 6 months along! God's word is always true and never fails. Mary then rushed out and visited her dear friend Elizabeth. Elizabeth confirmed all that God said was true and told Mary "You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said." (Luke 1:45).

That's the thing - faith, belief, trust - it counts for SO much! It really is everything. This was only the beginning of Mary's journey. She had found favor in God and was about to bring forth the Son of God, the Messiah. The one who would save us all. What an honor. The Holy Spirit is so powerful. The Holy Spirit impregnated Mary with the Son of God. Think of that type of power. Yet we still think we can limit the power of the Holy Spirit - God as no limits. Truly nothing is impossible with God.

Her fiancé', Joseph - he had doubts. God took care of all that by sending an angel to him to do a little explaining. Dude, your soon to be wife is about to give birth to the Son of God - hang tight, she's innocent and has done nothing wrong. She been blessed by God and is pure. That did well to extinguish all his doubts so he could help Mary carry out God's plan. (Matt 1:19-25).

There was to be a census - the first for quite some time. Everyone had to return to their towns to register for this census. Joseph and Mary headed out to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, there was no lodging available. Mary was ready to have Jesus so they found a stable for shelter. Jesus was born and she wrapped Him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger. The shepherds nearby were visited by an angel. The angel told the shepherds "The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!" (Matt 2:11) Then the angel was joined by the armies of Heaven and they all started praising God. (Matt 2:13-14) I'm sure they could not contain themselves. I cannot even try to imagine what a sight that had to have been.

The Shepherds hurried to town and found Mary, Joseph and Jesus. The shepherds then went out and told everyone they saw about baby Jesus. Mary kept all these things in her heart. (Matt 2:19) She was so full of grace and integrity.

The news of Jesus' birth traveled quickly and King Herod was not too happy about this news. He sent wise men to search out Jesus and report back to him. The wise men did search and found Jesus. They worshipped Him and gave him gifts. Then God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod so they obviously didn't. This was only the first of Herod's attempts to destroy Jesus. Of course God would not allow him to do any such thing. God had a plan and His plans are always bigger and better than anything we could fathom. (Matt 2: 7-18)

But wait, there's more! This was only the beginning of the Messiah's story and here's the best and biggest news of all - even today, right now - this very moment in time - - His story isn't done....