Xmas Eve - To The Core

The Core of the Story

What’s at the core of the story?

God’s plan for humanity is still very real and alive. Together we celebrate the very beginning of that story in the birth of our savior this very day.

The Bethlehem Star 2020

I have loved the event we have had this last week in being able to see what is refered to as the Bethlehem Star. A celestial event that hasn’t happened in 400 years, or 800 years at night.

On Monday night Grey and I headed out to the duck lease in Garwood, TX just southwest of Eagle Lake. The beauty of being that far out is that we get to see a night sky like I saw growing up when I lived in a city that didn’t diffuse the light of the night sky. I was able to point out O’rion’s belt and well….. that’s it. Its about the only one I can find without assistance.

I am amazed honestly to think that 800 years ago men and women stood in fields and towns and looked up to see the same sky and saw the same celestial event. 1,600 years ago they did the same thing. The same stars, the same sky, the same celestial event shared by human eyes 2,400 years apart.

There is a connective nature to men and women of history through that single moment for me.

It reminds me that in every story, experience, and event there is an undeniable core reality.

The core to this event for me is that my God has set the heavens in motion. His work has reached back far beyond the point that my mind can even comprehend.

As we are reminded of his great work in His response to Job:

Job 38:1–13 NASB95

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, “Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge? “Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me! “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? “On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy? “Or who enclosed the sea with doors When, bursting forth, it went out from the womb; When I made a cloud its garment And thick darkness its swaddling band, And I placed boundaries on it And set a bolt and doors, And I said, ‘Thus far you shall come, but no farther; And here shall your proud waves stop’? “Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, And caused the dawn to know its place, That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it?

What a powerful reminder that at our core He is still mightily in control. For the last 100 viewings of the celestial occurrence of the Bethlehem Star his mighty work continues to move.

Being reminded of the core of the story literally reminds me of the True Story of Saint Nicholas.

Saint Nicholas?

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara in Asia Minor Modern day Turkey.

His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor,” Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church.

Time does not change the core of the story.

Micah 5:2–4 NASB95

“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.” Therefore He will give them up until the time When she who is in labor has borne a child. Then the remainder of His brethren Will return to the sons of Israel. And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the Lord, In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will remain, Because at that time He will be great To the ends of the earth.

The Messianic Prophecy was some 700 years before the birth of Jesus, but it aligned perfectly with what was to come as God’s plan for humanity unfolded. The full plan of salvation and redemption for every single one of us.

700 years to see his plan come to life in the barn of a small Inn that was too full to take in the pregnant mother that would soon give birth to the child that would bring salvation to all humanity.

The oddest of circumstances to point us to the greatest moment the history of the world. The BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR!!!

When we wipe away the circumstances of this year, and the circumstances and crazy of the Christmas season we get to the core. We are reminded today that God’s mighty plan for humanity still continues on. It has continued on for 1,000s of years and today we gather to celebrate that he loves us so very much that he gave us His only begotten son in whom our Hope for the world goes forward.

And now we stand just as the Sheperds did in that field did so very long ago surprised and astonished by the amazing LIGHT of the world that is born to us this day.