A Strange Christmas Story

I wonder what God was thinking when He decided to come as man,
Surely there was a better way or perhaps a simpler plan.
Why would He choose a virgin girl on that very special day
To enter into the world of man and take our sins away?

I'm sure Joseph must have wondered why Mary was in the plan;
She's just a normal Jewish girl and he a plain old man.
If God is coming from heaven to visit earth below;
There must be a better way that God must surely know.

Why did they have to travel just when the birth was near
Could God not see this coming and remove all doubt and fear?
Why pick a smelly stable filled with animals and no bed
For Mary and baby Jesus to rest or lay their head?

God know what He was doing when He came to the earth;
He planned the day and time and year for our dear Savior's birth.
He came to those who received Him and changed their lives that day;
The wonder of His presence is He does the same today.

This is a strange story of Christmas, one we would not write;
But it's a message of God above turning darkness into light.
His plans are seldom easy nor are they always understood;
But He is the Giver of every Gift and those gifts are always good.

John Duncan, December 2008

God's Waiting Room

The Season of Advent is a season of waiting. When one reads the Old Testament Prophets one is continually aware of the sense of expectation that fills the hearts of the Jewish people. They are longing for the coming of the Promised Messiah. For far too long they have faced oppression, disappointment, and heartache. They have been told all of their lives that they were God's Chosen People; but, as they find themselves in captivity to Babylon and Assyria they don't feel very special. Every devout Jew kept his gaze on the horizon hoping against hope that God would send His Messiah to restore Israel.
Not only did the Jewish people find themselves struggling to keep their hopes up, the did so during a period of darkness and silence. After the age of the prophets, God quit speaking. For 400 years their was silence: no Word from God. There were no visions for prophets to share with Israel, no Word from the Lord, no new revelation. The heavens were like brass and the people of God wandered in darkness, groping to find their way. In the meantime, they looked for the Messiah. Surely, God would act and the Deliverer would appear.
Yes, it was a waiting game. While God was preparing to send the One would be the Redeemer and Savior, He relegated His people to the waiting room. Maybe you've been there, too. You find yourself in a desperate situation. You need an answer soon. Times are difficult; money's tight, and you don't know what to do. While God prepares to show up in your life and point you in the right direction, He send you to His Waiting Room. In the Waiting Room, your faith is strengthened, your hope is renewed, your character is honed, and you are fashioned more clearly into the image of Christ. While you wait, God acts . . . and while God acts you cling to the surety that He is indeed your Mighty God, your Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. You know that in spite of the circumstances you find yourself in, your God is greater than the circumstances; so, you hold on tenaciously to that truth. You know that when your waiting is over, God will be glorified and you will be comforted, for in God's Waiting Room you have discovered a clearer understanding of His faithfulness.