December 9, 2021 - Philippians 2:5-11

"In the beginning...", the beginning of what? For us, there must be a starting point for all things because we are accustomed to time and the reality that there is a point of entry. The beginning of my mornings are all similar as I get up, shower, go downstairs, make coffee, read, and then go about the day of work or leisure. It has a beginning, usually a routine and an ending.

When God began to plan and create the events that would lead to the birth of a baby in a manager there was nothing but God Himself. There were no stars, or galaxies to twinkle down upon the infant born so long ago. There was no camel or donkey upon which to ride from Nazareth to Bethlehem. As a matter of fact, there was no nation or people to even begin the process.

In the beginning there was God Who had a plan. He might have considered many options before He spoke to the emptiness. Finally, when it was the appropriate time, He spoke to what was nothing before Him which immediately became something and took shape!

The plan included time, which until that moment did not exist, but it was necessary for order and execution. A signpost or marker for the created to understand eternity's development. All this, the Creator carefully scripted and set in motion upon the stage of mankind.

One further development of that strategy was that He would enter His own creation. God would become flesh. He, too, would enter time and be born. He would become "Immanuel, God with us" (Matt. 1:23).

Max Lucado writes, "The Author knows well the weight of that decision. He pauses as He writes the page of His own pain. He could stop. Even the Author has a choice. But how can a Creator not create? How can a Writer not write? And how can Love not love? So, he chooses life, though it means death, with hope that his children will do the same."

Obediently, the Son came to earth. Submissively, the shepherds journeyed that first Christmas morning and bowed before the Lord Jesus cradled in the hay. May we too, bow our hearts and heads in worship to Him today. Philippians 2:10-11 states, "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

He is Creator, sustainer, redeemer, and Lord! His plan that started in eternity is being completed and He wants each of us to choose to receive the gift of life He brought when He came in the form of a baby. As you listen to a Christmas carol today, bow your heart before Him in worship and praise for His accomplished plan!

With an Expectant Hope,

Pastor Miller