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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

 

Dear Rev. Graham: Our church and school presented the nativity story weeks before Christmas. The narrator commented that though we look back on the night as magical, the truth is that most of the world had no idea what was happening in the little town of Bethlehem. Why didn’t God just make His Son’s first appearance dazzling so the whole world could see – and believe? – G.B.

 

Dear G.B.: It would have been logical to expect God to tear open the heavens and descend to Earth in majesty and power on that first Christmas night in Bethlehem – but He didn’t. Instead, on that quiet night, a virgin mother laid her squalling newborn into a manger designed to feed cattle. The lowing cows, the sweet-smelling hay, and the dark sky illuminated by a magnificent star provided the setting. Humble shepherds joined the carpenter-husband to witness the miracle and praise God for what He was doing.

The most significant drama of the centuries was unfolding – the drama of salvation that would ultimately take this Child to the cross. Truly God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. The wheels of His mercy and justice move quietly and silently, but they do move. The birth of Jesus Christ – the Son of God, our Savior – went unnoticed by the vast majority of the world that first Christmas night, but no event in human history was more significant. May His birth – and all it means – not go unnoticed in our lives!

Christmas is the season that we set aside to celebrate God coming to Earth in human flesh. But the reality of that occurrence should have an impact in our lives all year long. We can make this a resolution from this day forward, to live for Him and rejoice in His blessings to all.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)