--- THE MIRACLE ~~

--"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
---[Isaiah 7:14] -- bible

---IT WAS NIGHT. The small country town of Bethlehem was quiet and still. Its citizens were sleeping, oblivious to the humble couple who had arrived late and tired and had bedded down in a stable because there was no vacancy at the inn.

--No one but God understood the miracle unfolding in the lowly stable. All of the prophesies, all of the writings and oral teachings passed down through the centuries, telling of a coming Messiah who would break the power of Satan over humanity through the miracle of God becoming man--all was culminating in this moment.

What a tremendous display of the Creator's unending love for the world He had created! What humility and lowliness of Almighty God, that He would become a man; that He would give His life as an offering for sin and redeem men and women back into His fellowship.

Even though they might not profess to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, many people wish each other a "Merry Christmas." It seems as though Christmas has become a season of commercial enterprise and festivity that gratifies self. What a tragic mistake! Jesus Christ became man to bring us to the Father.

In Romans 14 we are taught to walk in faith and worship God, whether we choose to commemorate a holiday or not. (Romans 14:5-7). Whether we celebrate the Savior's birth on December 25 or any other day, we are to honor and worship God, not only by our words but also by our actions and lifestyle.

Let's not forget the wonder of the miracle of God coming to live among man in human form. He was born of a virgin. He was a sinless man, yet God. Let us praise and worship Jesus forever!

--BSW/NW

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]