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cember 6 and 7
“Angels attend Joseph and Mary as they journey from their home in Nazareth to the city of David. The decree of imperial Rome for the enrolment of the peoples of her vast dominion has extended to the dwellers among the hills of Galilee. As in old time Cyrus was called to the throne of the world's empire that he might set free the captives of the Lord, so Caesar Augustus is made the agent for the fulfilment of God's purpose in bringing the mother of Jesus to Bethlehem. She is of the lineage of David, and the Son of David must be born in David's city. Out of Bethlehem, said the prophet, "shall He come forth . . . that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity." Micah 5:2, margin. But in the city of their royal line, Joseph and Mary are unrecognized and unhonoured. Weary and homeless, they traverse the entire length of the narrow street, from the gate of the city to the eastern extremity of the town, vainly seeking a resting place for the night. There is no room for them at the crowded inn. In a rude building where the beasts are sheltered, they at last find refuge, and here the Redeemer of the world is born.”
God is particular. For ease and comfort the baby might have been born in a more commodious location and at less risk to mother and child. However the birth happened in the way that it did in a particular way.
A jobsworth is
"A person in authority (esp. a minor official) who insists on adhering to rules and regulations or bureaucratic procedures even at the expense of common sense."
God is no jobsworth. God needed the birth to happen in a certain way, not so that His needs might be met, but so that we would recognise the child. One of the features of many a Christmas service is a service of lessons and carols. When properly planned each element serves to highlight God’s plan. The child was to be born in a certain place, at a certain time. The Christmas reminder is there to make sure that we know that the season isn’t all about the latest Marks and Spencer advert, or the most recent Playstation game.
The couple wandering through the streets of Bethlehem were unrecognised and unwelcome because the people of that town were unaware of the arrival of this special family.
Let us make sure that we are aware of the events of the life of Jesus. Not just the stable but the cross and the Second Coming as well; and be ready when Jesus comes again.
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Housekeeping details for you
The point of this short blog will become clear if you decide to use this reading in the way we intend it. Netherfield Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in healthy churches. You can see what that means if you head to the relevant Healthy Churches page of the website. We also want other churches to be healthy. That means you can join in our campaign to create healthy churches, with healthy people serving the people in those churches.
A healthy church is one where Jesus comes first. A healthy church is one where the people work together to put Jesus first. One thing we are doing is to join people together to spread that news. I would like you to look at our prayer partners page. This will explain how we want you to use this short devotional. Very basically we want you to find a like-minded Christian friend who you will join with to : choose to pray together every day, decide together on a way to serve other people together, to help them grow as Christians - and to invite the Holy Spirit into your life every day. This blog that you will receive every day simply gives a common spiritual purpose. If you are a newcomer and want to join the blog with this object in mind click here
