For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given

One of the most sobering moments during my trip to Israel earlier this year was standing atop the Herodium—one of King Herod’s fortresses and luxurious palaces—and looking out toward Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus.

Only three miles separate the two.

Look straight out toward the two buildings that stand very close together in the far distance, just on the horizon. That’s Bethlehem. King Herod could literally look out his window and see Jesus’ birth place.

As I stood there in the ruins of the Herodium and stared out across that short expanse, I couldn’t help but think about how God intentionally chose not only that particular time in history to send His Son, but also that location—three miles from one of the most paranoid, hedonistic, insane megalomaniacs who ever lived—as the birth place for His one and only Son.

I’m just being honest here . . . If I had been in charge of where the Savior of all mankind would be born, I would have chosen some place far outside the reach of Herod. As in, the other side of the world!

But God did not choose according to what I would have chosen. Because He is God and, well, I am not.

God was not threatened by Herod, powerful and insane though the man was. God knew that Herod could do nothing to His Son without His approval. Without God’s allowing it. Nothing. Herod could not touch a single hair on Jesus’ tiny little head without God’s willing it to be so.

And it’s the same with you and me.

Nothing touches my life that doesn’t first filter through the loving hands of my heavenly Father. Nothing. Because God is sovereign. And if God is sovereign that means He’s in control. Always. Not just some of the time or when life is going well. But all of the time.

I’m not sure what kind of year you’ve had, but I need that reminder on occasion. I need to remember that Almighty God “has this” (whatever “this” is). That nothing can thwart His plan for your life or mine. And that (as Chuck Swindoll says) God never leans over the balcony of heaven and gasps. He’s never surprised.

God knew exactly what kind of world and what particular circumstances He was sending His Son into when Mary gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem—three miles from King Herod who would seek to kill Him.

During Advent at our church this year, Jon Tyson (the preacher at one of our sister churches in NYC) delivered a sermon centered around the world that Jesus was born into—the culture, the political and economic climate—and he viewed the birth of Christ through King Herod’s influence during that time.

In short, the sermon was fascinating!

Learning more about the world Jesus was born into made me even more grateful for God’s sovereignty and mercy. I hope you’ll take a moment to listen. You can download either the video or audio and listen at your convenience. And I hope you will.

You’ll never look at the birth of Christ in the same way, I promise.

Now I’m off to start cooking for tonight and tomorrow, all while looking forward to the Christmas Eve service at church this afternoon. Because I’m eager to celebrate not only the birth of Christ, but God’s sovereignty and merciful love in providing a way for us to have relationship with Him. And that’s only accomplished through Christ.

Much love to you, sweet friends, on this Christmas Eve, and every blessing in 2020!

Tammy

On our way back from Hilton Head Island, we stopped in Atlanta to celebrate Christmas early with my brother and his family. Then on our way home to Nashville, we stopped by Georgia National Cemetery in Canton where my parents are buried.

For Christmas, the national cemeteries always lay wreaths on every grave. It’s so beautiful.

I got to see Dad’s headstone for the first time. My brother Doug and I chose the inscription. It’s so befitting of the man our dad was and to the unwavering love and promises of Jesus.

I also got to see Mom’s “new” headstone (she shares a headstone with Dad now) along with the inscription Doug and I chose for her. (Since Dad was the military veteran, his name and information is on the front of the tombstone and Mom’s is on the back. Hence why most of the headstones have names on both sides.)

I pray that it’s well with your soul this Christmas, dear friend. Merry Christmas!