A long time ago, in a country far away, a people were striving to follow the God they had not heard from for 400 years.

It is not uncommon for people to worship a god they have never seen nor heard from. The dominant religions of the world have “gods” that were either invented in somebody’s mind or manufactured from gold, silver, wood, stone, or whatever.

That was not so with this people. Their God had been most active among them, delivering them from corporate slavery from the nation of Egypt by ten miraculous plagues that had no logical explanation and that devastated the nation economically and personally. On another occasion, these people watched an angel, a divine representative from this God, destroy an army of 185,000 men in a single night (Isaiah 37:36).

These stories were recorded in God’s book called the Holy Bible for all to read and know.

Now after 400 years of silence, this God, Almighty God, the Living God of heaven, is ready to move again to benefit the entire world by introducing His own Son, Jesus Christ, into the human race.

This Son of God called the Prince of Peace did not come as most powerful princes would come. Human reasoning would dictate a prince should be born in a position of power and influence to better his chance of making a significant impact. Not so with Jesus. God chose a nondescript virgin girl in an out-of-the-way village to be the one to bring the Son of God into the world.

The Son of God could not be of the earth—earthy—He was divine. Therefore, He was conceived by God Himself through the Holy Spirit in the body of the young virgin named Mary.

Mary had some complications. She was engaged to a guy named Joseph. Her unexpected pregnancy would destroy her reputation and her prospects to ever be a respected person.

Joseph and Mary both agreed to God’s arrangement because an angel, a divine messenger from God, came to them individually and explained God’s plan.

The plan is set. Jesus, the Son of God, the prince of Peace, is growing inside the womb of Mary.

Another complication arises in that the government required them to travel to their hometown to be counted. They made the trip and, while in Bethlehem to comply with this federal edict, Jesus was born.

The Living God of Heaven, the One who had been silent for 400 years was silent no more. He sent angels to some sheepherders in the country and told them about Jesus and the great prospects for the world. These sheepherders went to visit Jesus and told their story to all who would listen.

There were some other important people in Asia, probably college professors who saw a star that was not orbiting normally. They obtained a research grant to go check it out. After their long trip, they visited Jesus as well.

Jesus grew up and became a preacher—not your typical hell-fire and brimstone preacher—but a preacher who delivered a message of peace. Peace with Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, because Jesus was going to make peace for all by giving His own life to pay the sin debt that every living being owed Almighty God.

There is a peacemaker, not between nations necessarily, but between us and God where we really need help!

 

Dan Puckett works with road team operations at Life Action Ministries in Buchanan, Michigan.