Always That Season

By now, if you've not made a list and checked it twice, I suggest you're gonna be a'scramblin' soon enough! Those who know me know I'm a slow-go with Christmas. however, I've learned devoted attention to Advent helps effectively stir my heart ... in the right way. The Prophet Micah wrote these words of God: "But as for you, Bethlehem ... from you One shall come forth for Me [who is] to be Ruler in Israel, His goings forth are from long ago, from ancient days." (Michah 5:2, AMP). From this Old Testament prophecy, we learn that there would be a birth like no other: the birth of a Savior King - a pre-existing One from eternity past! The fulfillment of this is part of what we know as the Christmas account: "So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was with child." (Luke 2:4-5). Now we know from Proverbs 16:9 that the heart of man may plan his way, but it's the Lord Who establishes our. Perhaps Joseph's and Mary's hearts weren't quite ready for a ninety-mile, three-day journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem but it was part of God's plan, establishing Jesus' birth [as promised] from the royal line of David. Obediently, they made the long hard journey! Throughout this coming Season, let's remember how these two young people - chosen by God - humbled themselves to a plan and a good far greater than themselves. Quiet - Humble - Obedient ... 'tis always that season!