Fresh Take on The Christmas Story

So I've been thinking about the Christmas story from the characters' points of view. They don't have the luxury we do today of having grown up with the story. They don't have the luxury (like I do) of knowing exactly what happens next.

For instance, Mary didn't know if Joseph would keep her or kick her to the curb, but she was obedient anyhow. And Joseph was exactly the type of support Mary needed....just the man for the job.

Mary and Joseph were probably "nesting" in Nazareth and were not planning to travel to Bethlehem right around the due date....but they did. Talk about a curve ball--and yet they were still right in the middle of God's will.

The shepherds found themselves looking down the barrel of God's army of angels. Can you imagine that? (Scenes of the armies from Lord of the Rings comes to mind). No wonder they were scared out of their wits (sore afraid is an understatement).

So your Joseph, and you are working from your new home in Bethlehem, when a caravan of Magi show up on your front porch and unload a boatload of treasure on your front porch. Talk about winning the lottery. Your set for life in this little town now, right? Errr, wait, take the money and run, because Herod is coming. Good thing we had these goods, because they'll help us make it to Egypt.

A friend of mine told me of an observation she recently read regarding the Christmas story. The person observed that the Christmas story HAS to be true. It's got too many quirks and turns for it to made up.

What a wonderful story of God's provision, protection, affirmation, and salvation.

And he's still doing it today!

Merry Christmas.