Christmas Best
Every year marks the anniversary of a very wonderful Christmas. Though
doctors did everything medically possible to stop the premature delivery,
our youngest grandson was born.
There was no room in the inn, as all the beautiful new birthing rooms were
filled.
We were given a small dingy room that was never intended to be used again;
waiting remodeling. In fact, it had never been a delivery room at all and
there was barely room for the needed medical equipment.
Only a few were allowed to remain present, squeezing quietly into a corner,
as the doctor suddenly received an urgent message from heaven that this baby
should be born, now! And, now it was, as it seemed only a matter of seconds
that the physician broke the water, reached in, and pulled the baby out.
And, I thought, "Wow! They can do that!?"
Literally beyond purple, next came what seemed like a very lengthy silence
as they hurried toward getting the baby prepared for an incubator. Finally,
he breathed his first breath of life. Then ... the next ... and ... the
next.
Though they could not promise that our grandson would make it through the
night, it was a miracle that he was alive at all. We quietly listened, as he
labored to breath, in awe, knowing that every next breath was, yet, another
miracle and that God intended this child to live!
December 25th is not the exact day of Jesus' birth, as an infant. Yet, it is
the time of year when lambs are born.
Reminded of the first Bethlehem, I now see the similitude of a child,
confronted with the gates of hell, struggling to be born before the world is
ready to receive him; every next breath of the Spirit, beyond all obstacles,
yet another miracle.
Bethlehem came without decorations, packages, ribbons, or bows. And now I
know, Bethlehem is a celebration of life; more abundantly! And, the light
that glows at the nativity scene is really the illumination of God's
presence, as He would not have missed it for the world!
Christmas traditions lose their attraction at the very presence of God. And,
where two or more are gathered together, sharing joys of the Lord, He will
be there. And, wherever He is, it is always ... CHRISTMAS!
Never settle for less than the best.
© by Joyce C. Lock
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/