SANTA'S CHRISTMAS PRAYER

ON ANOTHER NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Taken by: Ronald E. Cole

" Santa's Christmas Prayer "    Alda Monteschio

On Christmas Eve the other night I saw the most amazing sight, <* for there beneath the Christmas tree was Santa kneeling on his knee.

His countenance was different than that all-familiar, jolly grin; his head was bowed, with hand to breast, and slightly tucked into his vest.

For there in a nativity was Jesus and His family, and as I heard him start to pray I listened close to what he'd say.

"Lord, You know that You're the reason

I take pleasure in this season.

I don't want to take Your place,

but just reflect Your wondrous grace.

I hope You'll help them understand

I'm just an ordinary man,

who found a way to do Your will

by finding kids with needs to fill.

But all those centuries ago, there was no way for me to know that they would make so much of me, and all the gifts beneath the tree.

They think I have some hidden power granted at the midnight hour, but it is my love for You inspiring the things I do.

And so when they begin to open gifts

for which they have been hoping,

may they give You all the glory,

for You're the One True Christmas Story."

THE GOVERNMENT ALSO FULFILLED THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

It is very amazing to see how God uses everything possible, including the government and unbelievers to fulfill his very own purpose in the lives of his children. Thus, a careful look at the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ proves that all things work together for good to them that love God, as in Romans 8:28.

About 700 years before the birth of Jesus, God made the promise and the prophecy was given in Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." And Isaiah 9:6 says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." 

Also, the Lord was very specific concerning the place where the birth will take place, as seen in Micah 5:2, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

When it was time for this prophecy to be fulfilled, Luke 1:26-33 says, "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

Now, from these accounts, according to prophecy, Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem of Judea. But at the time of fulfillment, Joseph and Mary, his parents were already established in Nazareth of Galilee. So, how was it going to be humanly possible for this thing to happen as prophesied, and who on earth would have been able to convince Mary and Joseph to leave Nazareth and go to Bethlehem so that Jesus could be born in Bethlehem? This was only possible through God's divine plan.

Thus, in order to make this possible, God had to make the whole nation, the Roman Empire suffer what we know today as the great depression, a situation where the economy became very bad. And in an effort to solve this problem, the ruler, Caesar Augustus has to issue a decree for national census which will require everybody to go to their respective home town to be registered as recorded in Luke 2:1-7, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Do you see how God works in every situation to bring to pass all his purpose in the life of Jesus. Therefore, when you see things going in the direction you did not expect, and the government or the president begin to issue laws or decrees that seems unbearable, understand that God is working through them to bring to pass his very own purpose in your life and in the lives of his children.

May God help us to understand his ways and be able to follow his directions as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour during this Christmas and onward in Jesus name. You are blessed. Jesus loves you and I do too.