'Twas The Eternity Before Christmas

by Brooke Bergan
Published December 26, 2006

This past year has brought many changes in my life. First, there was a move three states away in order to start a new chapter in ministry in my life. Then came a challenge over where God was leading from there. Soon after that, my cousin got in a horrible car wreck - one from which he still struggles to recover. These trials and more have brought joys and tears, hope and discouragement, love and pain. Still, through all of this God has granted me a priceless gift - a renewed sense of His ultimate Love and Goodness. Once again God has shown me that He always comes through, that He desires a continuing intimacy in relationship with me, and that His plan for my life reflects His thorough goodness. Today as I think about Christmas, I remember that this is not where it all started. Jesus' birth in the manger was simply a continuation of the plan set in motion before the beginning of time. Yes, His birth on that day was a big event, one we continue to celebrate - and rightly so - each year, but His birth was neither the beginning nor end of His purpose. He had a bigger picture in mind.

The same thing applies to our lives today. Jesus has a big picture for each of our lives, one that ties into that same picture that caused His visit to Bethlehem years ago. No matter what comes into our lives, nothing surprises God. He is able use all of it for His plan if we'll just let Him. Indeed, that is just what He wants to do. So this Christmas, let's look past the manger, back to the eternity before time, and trust God's plan. After all, He's not just a baby in a manger, He's God, and He's here with us forevermore.

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