Some might

scoff at the virgin birth; but if we are to believe in the deity of Jesus

and His resurrection from the dead, why would it be a stretch to believe

that Mary was a virgin? We marvel that medical scientists can implant

an embryo into the womb of a virgin today; and yet for centuries many

could not believe that God had this power. Jesus entered the world supernaturally

and He exited this world supernaturally. In between, he lived pretty much

as you and I. He breathed, he ate, he grew tired, he suffered and he bled.

The prophets

foretold that He would be born of the house of David and in Bethlehem

­ he was. But Mary lived at least 100 miles away from Bethlehem.

God even used the census of the Roman Empire to insure that Mary would

be in the right place at the right time.

Can you imagine

the uncertain future facing this young teenage girl, about to give birth

­ a hundred-mile trip by foot and donkey ­ the crowded streets

­ the lack of lodging ­ physical fatigue, the uncertainty, the

financial burden, the obscure stable (probably a cave), as a resting place!

The possibility of being stoned by Jewish law? She had hay for a bed and

an animal feeding trough for a cradle.

We became great-grandparents

as God blessed us this past October with identical-twin baby girls, Kylee

and Kaylee, born premature in a clean hospital with excellent nursing

and medical equipment. It is so hard to visualize them lying on straw

in a stable.

The scriptures

do not record the exact date of Christmas Day ­ Jesus' birthday ­

nor does it record the exact day, month, and years of other important

events. Maybe because it was the event and not the date that was the important

factor.

Can you imagine

settling down for a long winter's nap, under the stars, covers tucked

tightly under your chin as you lay amongst your sheep fast asleep? When

from out of nowhere a heavenly band appears in the sky overhead, singing

and praising God? No wonder they were afraid. This would be enough to

rattle the nerves of the most stout-hearted. Could you doubt the message

coming from such an event? Luke must have talked with these shepherds

much like CNN reporters do when something extraordinary happens. They

want details; and so did Luke.

Many babies

are born ­ some realize great importance in the world and some bring

shame and disgrace on their families. So what is the significance of this

child's birth? This was no ordinary baby ­ this baby was Jesus ­

the only true Son of God. It is believed that a monk named Dionysius Exiguus

made the new calendar based from the birth of Christ. Today our very newspapers

reflect the importance of this Child's birth a birth that changed time

and changed the world forever more.

It is supposed

that Jesus learned the carpenter's trade from Joseph. We know he was educated

in the Jewish faith and knew the scriptures very well. His education was

of utmost importance. Although divinely related to God, he was intertwined

with man. He was truly God and man. Aramaic was the language of the common

people ­ Jesus' language. He was instructed in Hebrew, the language

of the Old Testament; and Greek was the universal language of His time

­ but mostly Jesus spoke the language of God; from whence came His

wisdom and knowledge.

Times, ages,

nations, events, and wars change. They come and go; but God never changes

­ God is immutable. He is always the same in His nature, His character

and His will. He has never lost His original design for mankind; nor have

earthly events changed His course. He never changes and He can never be

made to change. People, places, things change ­ but God remains the

same!

When we fully

understand the meaning of Christmas, we know that it will never change

either. Some may celebrate the spirit of giving and associate it with

the gift of the Magi ­ some will celebrate the fantasy of Santa Claus

­ some will celebrate the festivals of lights as a symbol of hope.

Because of the events our nation has endured this year, there will be

many vacant chairs at this Christmas dinner ­ hearts will mourn for

these vacant places ­ but as Paul says, "To be absent in the

body is to be present with the Lord!"

Jesus said

that we will always have the poor among us (the poor in mind, body, and

spirit) and for that reason I think it imperative that we remember them

all year long ­ not just at Christmas time. We will always have heroes

among us ­ God bless them all ­ but the real hero and the true,

spiritual meaning of Christmas will never change but we must. That

is the reason the Christ child came ­ to change the world. He came

to change darkness into light; sorrow into joy; lack into plenty; evil

into good; injustice into justice; hate into love! He came to give us

abundance in life; peace in death; and eternal life in Resurrection!

As the Walston

family gathers, we will celebrate the wisdom and faithfulness of the aged

­ the strength and perseverance of the mature ­ and the innocence,

joy, and delight of the young. We will trim the tree, share the gifts

­ both material and spiritual; sing the carols ­ read the scripture

of that long ago first Christmas day ­ play games, eat, laugh and

visit into exhaustion.

We will celebrate

the Christ Child, His teachings; accept His sacrifice; remember those

who have gone on before us to share in His glory. We will celebrate the

new lives He has given us and celebrate the ongoing of those whom God

has called home! We will weep with the sorrowing; rejoice with the joyful

and hug each other more tightly and more often.

JESUS IS THE

REASON FOR THE SEASON!

Patricia Walston

Fayetteville

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