The Wondrous Gift

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem”. Matthew 2:1

A couple of months ago I was planning on leading a trip to the Holy Land, but due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, I canceled the trip. One of the things that I wish everyone would be able to experience is to visit the Holy Land at least once in their life. I have been blessed and fortunate to lead three trips to Israel. Of course, the trip to the Holy Land would not be complete without a visit to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus.

Just after a young preacher by the name of Philips Brooks gave the Eulogy for Abraham Lincoln, he took a trip to the Holy Land. In the silence of the evening, he gazed out at the still insignificant town and penned a poem that went, “O Little Town Of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, a silent star goes by.” A few years later, he completed that poem and Lewis Redner put music to those words. The third verse goes, “How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.”

Many years later, Helen Keller met Philips Brooks and heard the gospel for the first time. She opened up her heart to receive him and the dear Christ entered in.

Thought For Today: In this season of Advent, take time today to be silent and to thank God for the wondrous gift of Jesus and the joy of salvation as Christ has entered into your life.

Today’s Prayer Focus: Pray for family members and friends who have not yet called upon the name of Jesus to be their Savior and Lord. Pray that during this advent season, their hearts will be open to the message of the gospel. Deo Volente.