December 22, 2021
Dear SCC & Friends,
…Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
~Isaiah 7:14
Update #94
Who could have cared about the birth of a baby while the world was watching Rome in all her splendor? Two thousand years ago the Roman Empire was rife with political intrigue, ethnic tension, and immorality. Palestine was occupied under the crush of Rome. All eyes were on Augustus, the Caesar who demanded a census so as to determine a measurement to enlarge taxes. At that time, who noticed a couple making an eighty-mile trip south from Nazareth? What could possibly be more important than Caesar’s decisions in Rome? Who cared about a Jewish baby born in Bethlehem? God did… Without realizing it, mighty Augustus was only an errand boy for the fulfillment of Micah’s prediction…a pawn in the hand of Jehovah…a piece of lint on the pages of prophecy. But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.~Micah 5:2
Seven hundred years after Micah it came to pass, …the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~Jn. 1:14 But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman… ~Gal. 4:4
And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David (Bethlehem) there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” ~Lk. 2:7-14 May the Lord’s grace and truth be with each one of us in abundance. Jesus is the reason for the season and does all things well… Christmas blessings… Keep up the good work!
Immanuel,
Kevin