ORIGINAL WOOD SCULPTURE BY PAUL & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER© 

The events leading up to the birth of Jesus of Nazareth have taken us on an amazing journey which only God could have designed. The angel’s announcement to Mary and Joseph. The faith they both exhibited. The tongue wagging and finger pointing they endured. The treacherous journey they were about to take. They would travel almost 100 miles to Bethlehem (the birthplace of King David) over extremely rough terrain. It would take them 5 to 7 days to reach their destination on foot. The journey was not only dangerous, but Mary was about to give birth to her firstborn. She carried the Son of God within her womb as she sat on the back of a pack animal. They were required to go to Bethlehem, not only to register for the census, but also to fulfill the prophesy that the Messiah would be born there. The Old Testament is filled with prophesy regarding His coming. They were becoming true every day. It’s hard to imagine what they encountered on the way. There was the possibility of meeting wild animals. The rocky terrain rambled back and forth over a rugged trail. Thieves and vagrants were known to make their home there. They were under God’s protection for the entire trip. They would find no room for her to give birth. The town was filled to overflowing with those who had come to be registered. They settled on a shelter where newborn lambs were kept. How appropriate that the Lamb of God would be born there. It was all part of God’s plan.

Through the cobwebs of existence – through the darkness of our strife,

Through the dankness of our sinning and the wickedness of life,

Through the darkest pits of hell and the helplessness we feel,

Comes a single beam of light from heaven our sinful hearts to heal,

The light grows stronger as we move to get a closer glance,

But as we reach to touch it, we’re enveloped in a trance.

It’s just within our reach we think, but no matter how we try,

We can’t escape the darkness that consumes us from all sides,

Just when we think that all is lost and relinquish every hope,

The light erases darkness and through it we can cope,

This little light from Bethlehem became a brilliant Star,

That came to earth to save the world from sin’s most deadly scar.

He came in darkness of the night, but His brilliance cannot hide,

We are redeemed by His great might.  He’s always by our side.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY TO SHARE YOUR LOVE!