DOC'S BLOG

DECEMBER 18, 2017

The Third Week of Advent

Experience The Miracle Of Christmas

“The Miracle of the METHOD”

One of the mysteries of Christmas that always had me fascinated as a child, was: How is it possible for Santa to deliver toys to every boy and girl in the world - in just one night?  Did you ever wonder that? 

In the movie, Miracle on 34th Street, there is a part where Kris Kringle explains how he is able to deliver toys to all the children in a single night!  If you’ve seen that movie (as an adult), did you believe Kris Kringle’s explanation? 

Now, what in the world does this discussion have to do with the Christmas story?  Thank you for asking!

1. God's Method Of Delivering His Gift (Jesus) To The World

     Transcends Our Understanding!

If we were writing the script for the redemption of humankind, we would no doubt have written it differently than God.  Right? 

God chose to reveal Himself to us, in the most amazing way possible, so that we could understand.  God came to us as a defenseless, helpless baby.

Luke 2:11-12 (NIV)

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  12 This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

God chose Jesus to be born to poor and humble parents, not in a palace but in a barn stable!  And he was laid in a manger (a feeding trough for animals). 

God's Methods Are Beyond Our Comprehension.

2. God's Methods Include The Most Simple Among Us (Aren’t you thankful for that?!)

To celebrate this occasion, angels announced the news of Jesus’ birth.  Did they share this news first with kings and queens, religious leaders or military dignitaries?  NO!  God announced the arrival of His Son first to simple, ordinary, hard-working people! 

Luke 2:8-10 (NIV)

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

Think about this for a moment. After Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead, to whom did He appear first?  Not to the religious or political leaders.  Not to the best educated or wealthy.  At His resurrection, Jesus first appeared to a group of women!  And after that, Jesus appeared to His followers.  And He ordered them to tell others.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

God's methods haven't changed.  He still uses ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary work!  Our abilities are not as important as our attitude and availability. 

God has entrusted to us the Good News of salvation.  It's a good thing for us that God can use even the simplest of vessels to accomplish great things!

3.  God's Methods Sanctify Us

God is at work in our lives in ways that we cannot fully comprehend.  In the same way that we would have written the script differently, concerning the redemption of humankind, we would write the script differently for our sanctification. 

If we wrote the script, once we began the spiritual journey of faith in Jesus, we would always be growing in our love and devotion - we would never have any problems!  But we DO experience problems, and pressures, and pains.  We experience sickness and struggles.  We experience trials and temptations.  There are victories and celebrations - accompanied by defeats and despair.

I can't answer all your questions as to why some things have happened in our lives, but I can tell you that when we go through difficult times WE CAN trust that God is at work in our lives for our good.

Romans 8:28 (NLV)

We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan.

The Miracle of the Method of Christmas is that God did what only God could do.  He gave His Son as the Savior of the world! 

And, it’s a Miracle of the Method of Christmas that God uses ordinary people like you and me to accomplish extraordinary things for the sake of His kingdom! 

The Miracle of the Method of Christmas is also that God is at work in our lives in ways we don’t understand.

So, we choose to Receive and trust in His Son - our Savior - Jesus!