Not As Planned

            As I revisited the events influencing the birth of Jesus, most people mentioned in accounts in the Gospel of Luke and Matthew faced situations they would have never planned. If you are like me, frequently, the phrase crosses my mind This is not what I planned.

            Yet the planning of the first Christmas began ions before its realization took place on earth. John wrote this phrase in Revelation 13:8 “…the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

            Little did Caesar Augustus know his decree issued for taxation purposes affecting the Roman world represented a mere puzzle piece in God’s plan. God’s plan enabled Joseph’s compliance with the decree to fulfill having Mary in Bethlehem, the same Bethlehem predicted in Micah’s prophecy in Micah 5:2. 

Even though a donkey is not mentioned
in the Gospel accounts of the birth of 
Jesus, this photo captured the strength 
of Joseph's commitment to care for the
Mother of his Savior, the unborn Son
of God, Jesus.(Randy/Lauralea Corley)

            It is incomprehensible that Mary envisioned giving birth to her firstborn Son in a place that housed a manger! God’s plan from the beginning demanded the incarnation of God in a human body, the essence of humility, obscurity, and lowliness. Paul recorded the unfolding of God’s Plan as revealed in Jesus. Paul wrote in Philippians 2:7-8: But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Lauralea Corley holding Breanna, her third-born
daughter. Breanna and my mother, Bernyce Gates,
share a special recognition. They both portrayed 
the Christ Child. Mother was the Baby Jesus in
the Belford School Christmas Program in the 
Bend 97 years ago.

              When the precious baby arrived, Mary wrapped her little son in swaddling clothes and placed him in the food trough of animals. Decision, a monthly periodical originated by Billy Graham, featured an interesting article comparing the swaddling clothes to similar cloths wrapped around the lambs raised in that same region for temple sacrificial purposes. The article can be accessed at this link: Christmas Means More Than You've Realized (decisionmagazine.com)

 

Lee Hock and Gregg Engle enacting the part of 
shepherds with Dr. Charles and Nancy Wills' 
sheep playing the role of the flocks mentioned by
Luke.

             Is it any wonder the shepherds watching over these special flocks were the first to hear of this extraordinary birth? These men followed in the footsteps of Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, who had extensive flocks. God used the rod, the shepherd’s tool of Moses, mightily as Moses led the Israelites from Egypt to the Promise Land. David not only shepherded his father’s flock but crafted one of the most memorized and beloved psalms describing exquisitely the Lord as our shepherd. It was not happenstance this specific group had been selected to receive first the birth announcement of the tiny Lamb of God. 

Rick Rice herding the Wills Family flock on the
Wills Farm northwest of Ralston.

            May we have hearts prepared to receive the One who so many people missed two millennia ago. Micah described the Ruler coming from Bethlehem as one who will shepherd My people. May we have hearts that welcome and receive His shepherding – following only Him, hearing only His voice, and obeying wholeheartedly the One who laid down His life for the sheep. There is no better way to celebrate His coming into our world.

Lee Hock, Gregg Engle, and Rick Rice posing
with the Wills' flock of sheep.