BIBLE BIT
In this 8 week series we're
searching for the truth behind the real meaning of
Christmas so that in the build up to Christmas we may
know with certainty and be thrilled!
Week 1- Luke 1 v3-4: Know with Certainty
Week 2 -Luke 1 v31-37: Nothing is impossible for God
Week 3 - Luke 2 v1-7: In God's time, In God's plan
It's hard to imagine that first 'Christmas night' was
actually real. It's hard to imagine the journey made by
Mary and Joseph actually happened.
If we get over this first hurdle we're then faced with
another. Our minds and thoughts are affected by what we
see and hear around us. Christmas cards paint a really
nice and cute picture of Jesus' birth within a brightly
lit, clean hut with smiling cows and sheep watching on.
Nativity scenes make out that Mary didn't have a hint of
a struggle giving birth whilst Joseph stood by in his
clean robes and then baby Jesus lay quietly gurgling in
a deluxe trough with freshly cut straw for his bed.
The facts are - it did happen! It was a normal birth in
a filthy stinking downstairs room of a house which was
usually kept for the animals. Yes there would have been
pain for Mary in giving birth, Yes I am sure Jesus came
kicking and screaming into the world as every other
new-born baby would, and yes I am sure Joseph in his
filthy travelling clothes would have sprinted around
trying to do all possible to make Mary comfortable and
failing like most fathers do at that time!!!
Yes it did happen - it was real - it was in God's time
and it was in His plan!
So what then makes this birth so special?
Come with me to an Old Testament book in the bible
called Micah - written to God's people in a time of
great trouble hundreds of years before the birth of
Jesus. The prophet says this:
'But you Bethlehem, though you are small among the clans
of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be
ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old from
ancient times' Micah 5v2
This birth has been planned for hundreds of years and
the baby who is to be born has been before time existed!
Wow - God uses the plans of humans (the census by Caesar
Augustus) to bring about his eternal plan!
The birth of Jesus actually happened - it was in God's
plan - It was in His time and it was very special!
God's time and plan will always come about. So what does
that look like in your life and sport? God's timing and
plan are perfect and he will work through your
decisions. How will you decide to play your sport this
week? Decide to be selfish to use your God given gifts
for yourself and own glory? Or decide to live a life
that truly speaks about how special the birth of that
child in Bethlehem really was and the effect it has had
on your life - more on that in the weeks to come!
Go and make a difference and let the realness and the
wonder of the birth of Jesus effect every aspect of your
week!
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Full Name: Charlotte Ralph
Nick Name(s): Charly, Ralphie
Sports Status(standard): Play for
school 2nd XI, and Jordanstown Club hockey. But currently out of
play due to old injury.
Sport Story: On my school team, there are no
Christians what so ever so I am a lonesome ranger. But I know that
God is with me, and He will work through me to get to them. I'm the
putty in His hands. Before each match I pray for them, and that I
will play to my personal Audience of One!
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