A special memory from 2001 is that our youngest grand daughter played the part of Jesus in the Church Christmas program. Lexi was only a month old when this photo was take and her parents, our daughter and son-in-law were Mary and Joseph. It was a family affair.

We really have no concept of the struggles that Mary and Joseph endured leading up to the birth of Christ. An angel of the Lord named Gabriel appeared to this teen aged girl and told her that she had been chosen by God Almighty to bring the Messiah into this world. Mary didn’t understand how she could give birth to a child when she was still a virgin. Gabriel reminded the teen that with God, nothing is impossible to which Mary replied, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” Mary’s obedience to the Lord caused her much hardship. She was seen by some as a harlot. Her betrothed, Joseph, was advised to walk away from the bride in waiting but an angel of the Lord appeared to him and revealed to the young groom to be that Mary was carrying a child conceived by the Holy Spirit.

The nation of Israel had been pleading for the Messiah to come for centuries. He was born in Bethlehem, just like the prophets said. In His own words, He has come to save this world, not to condemn it. But Christ came to save us individually. He enters the heart when we open the door. Open the door and say, “Come Oh Come Emmanuel.”