Hello ,

It is the 15th of December, and this year during the holiday season, I am hoping to do something completely different.   My goal is to take the texts leading up to, and about Christ's birth.  Each day, I hope to bring us further into the story of the greatest miracle this world has ever known, and I hope that it will bless you.

I recognize that Christmas Day is not really Christ's birthday.  Some people actually believe that it was, but history definitely does not bear that out.  We can however, take a few moments to quietly reflect on what His birth means to the world, and specifically what it should mean to people who call themselves Christians.  We'll start at 10 days away from Christmas Day, and we'll work our way towards that goal together.  

10 Days from Christmas 

We'll begin our time together, by going to the book of Luke, the first chapter, and we'll do our best to head towards the story of Christ's birth.  There are some beautifully meaningful texts prior to the story of the actual event, and I'd like to begin by asking you to read along with me as we go to Luke 1:5-7

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.  Luke 1:5-7

Luke opens up the narratives of Christ's birth by presenting the back-drop (if you will), to the story of this wonderful event.  That back-drop is a miracle that sets the stage for the greatest miracle, and it begins with two elderly people, advanced in years  The verse is specific about the fact that they were child-less, and it is here, in the context of their childless-ness that we are about to see something amazing happen. What can God do with older people?  More than we might give Him credit for it would seem. 

Tomorrow, we'll look at the specific message that is given to them through the husband Zacharias.  Until then, I'd like to suggest that you dwell on what kinds of limits that we sometimes impose upon God.  Is there anything too difficult for Him?  Is He bound by the number candles on our last birthday cake, or do His abilities have the potential of exceeding our limitations?

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word