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Christmas afterthoughts from a previous year

We had a great Christmas here. No presents were exchanged, a few were brought in from outside the family. We had a great dinner , and treated it like a dear friends birthday, cake and all.

Reflecting over the Christmas holiday I have to sit back and consider what all was involved, and what a miracle it was.

Now I know that God is "all seeing" and "all powerful", but he is also a God of choice. He did not command anyone in this whole scene to do or act a certain way; they just happened to. Mary was not order to carry the savior:
Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

She could have said "aint no way! Them priest going to think I'm a tainted woman. I have a husband to be and I'm not messin that up" but she didn't.

Joseph after finding that his wife to be was now with child that was NOT his could have had her stoned, but being a good man he considered just sending her away; but he didn't:
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins.

Joseph could have considered the Angels visit a result of a piece of moldy matza bread, but he didn't:
Matthew 1:24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; 25 and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.

Zacharias is an example of the free choice all had on the story. To put it in modern term he told the Angel "Aint no way that's going to happen". And the Angle said "Ya-Way, and since you are too stubborn to believe it I will make you voiceless". So he took a mandatory vow of silence for 6 months, he lived: and he DID have the choice.
Luke 1:12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

You see God did not make these character a bunch of mindless robots, they all had FREE CHOICE. Does that mean God is Pro-Choice? We will go into that later. I have been reading some interesting material, I will go into on another message.

Other variables that COULD have happened (not Biblical). What would have happened to the prophecy if the innkeeper was a soft hearted person and made room for Joseph and Mary in the inn. Those shepherds sure would have been puzzle when they found an empty manger. Or would the Angel managed to get the Star shifted over to the Tavern, and what kind of a party would the drinkers in the tavern had when they found out their salvation was in the next room.

Yes that's a far fetched story, but an example of how easily the whole prophecy could have been changed by one simple thing changing. But God gave them a free choice, and yet it happened just the way he predicted. With all the variables that COULD have happened I am truly blessed and amazed. If you say he is all knowing then where does our choice come in? He would know who his people were without their choosing.

The final question I have is after pondering this amazing birth, and now knowing about his death, burial and resurrection, with all the historical proof it did happen; how could anyone in their right mind choose not to follow my Savior Jesus Christ, yet the world considers us the fools.

Freedom of Choice or Pro-Choice verses just freedom. More to ponder on in the coming weeks.

Ponder This from Mike.

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