MANY OF HER college mates had great plans for the holidays, but not for her.
Jackie Turner grew up in an abusive home. She never knew her birth mother. She was a straight-A student in her college—and great friends surrounded her.
Jackie was able to roll through the eleven months of the year, but she was sad as the Christmas holiday approached.
With no one to spend the holiday with, she put an ad on Craiglist: Parents for hire. She was even willing to pay.
To her amazement, there were many responses: parents who were willing to do it for free and students who felt the same way. She was hopeful about the future.
Jackie realized that people were hurting, so she had a meeting with the people and made matches, including one for herself.
The Narrative
AFTER JESUS was born, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem to look for him.
Where is the newborn? Who is the king of the Jews? When we were far away in the East, we saw His star, and we have followed its glisten and gleam all this way to worship Him. (Matt. 2:2)
When King Herod heard, he was worried. He called the wise men to his chambers and asked them when they saw the star. Then, he instructed them to find him and report back to him.
What is a miracle?
WHEN THEY left, the star reappeared to them and led them to where Jesus lay. When they arrived, they worshipped Him.
The reappearance of the star is a miracle. God authenticates the divine through wonders—everything that he does is to give us hope.
We got a lift when he was born
Who sits at the table?
THE NIGHT that Jesus was born, shepherds in the field watched over their flocks.
An angel of the Lord appeared unto them, and a light shone around them. (Luke 2:10-11)
God sent his angel to minimum-wage workers who had little or no status in the world. They were lowly people God raised to have an audience with the king.
They were the first to hear of his birth which speaks loads of his ministry.
Are you lowly? God is calling you to the table. Are you rich? He is calling you too.
God is inviting everyone to the table—the rich and the poor.
We got a lift when He was born, and hope tells us the realities in Him.
What do you believe to be true?
WHAT WILL keep you moving and give you hope is what you believe to be true.
The shepherds believed the Lord. So, they left their flocks to see the baby that was born.
To succeed in your walk with God, you must believe Him. Your trust in God will affect your eternity.
He who takes truth for his guide and duty for his end may safely trust God's providence to lead him aright -Blaise Pascal.
Can God renege on His Word?
WHILE THEY were fulfilling their obligations in Jerusalem, they met a man called Simeon. He was a righteous man waiting for the consolation of Israel. (Luke 2:25-26)
Simeon was in touch with the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he saw the Messiah.
That day, he was led to the temple by God's Spirit—and he saw Jesus in the hands of his parents.
God never makes a promise too good to be true - D. L Moody.
Why was Jesus born?
WHEN ADAM and Eve sinned, we were isolated from God—helpless and without hope. However, the greatest miracles usually happen in the greatest messes—Jesus Christ is the greatest miracle.
God sent him to end our loneliness and give us another chance at life. He was born to reconcile us to God. (2 Cor. 5:18)
Jesus came and never left—he is Emmanuel, God with us. (Matt. 1:23)
Bringing it Together
WHAT YOU need this season isn't the gifts, but the Christmas story.
For here is the way God loved the world—he gave his only, unique Son as a gift. So now, everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Today is your visitation. Give your life to Him!
Merry Christmas.
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