In that one moment, I understood the joy of a plane landing, wheels down, touching the sacred earth.
I had arrived!
The bright lights shouted welcome against the inky blackness of the sky. My mind flashed to multiple movie scenes as we walked through the matchbox size airport. You know the ones where the main character kneels down and kisses the ground in gratitude.
Through bleary eyes, my own arrival conjured up joy, gratitude, and the promise of God’s faithfulness. There was no fanfare, and in fact, there were only three yellow school buses and their drivers greeting us.
Landing in the middle of the night in Nicaragua was a dream come true. It was the culmination of a dream that became reality. It was not just the physical arrival in a new country, but the connecting piece of a journey God promised. The gift of provision, promise, and prayer was unveiled throughout the week and God’s glory was evident everywhere.
My arrival was momentous, but let’s look back several thousand years to another arrival. A babe, his parents, a donkey, and unassuming housing conditions graced this story. The similarities between my story and this one fall apart with the “little to no fanfare” at our arrivals.
Jesus entered the world one night in the town of Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph held him close and wrapped him in cloth to keep him warm. The arrival was unassuming, but miraculous all in the same breath.
Two years ago, as my plane landed in Nicaragua, I knew I had arrived. The dreaming, planning, and prayers joined together in one joyful moment.
Jesus also knew He had arrived because God planned this miracle years before He was born. The prophet Isaiah shared these words:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Micah names the city of Bethlehem as the place where the birth would take place.
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
are only a small village among all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel,
whose origins are in the distant past,
will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2 NLT
And we find out in Isaiah that a virgin would conceive and give birth to the Savior of the World.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
There is no mistake in how God plans a beautiful life for each of us. Just as He prepared the way for Emmanuel–God with us, God also creates a story that is all our own.
This Christmas we can rest assured we have arrived because of the gift of another arrival in Bethlehem. Jesus came for you and me and that is your legacy.
Jesus’ story began against the backdrop of a stable with only His parents to witness the miracle. Your story began when God chose you to be His son or daughter.
Just as He prepared the way for Emmanuel–God with us, God creates a story for you. #advent #arrival Click To Tweet
Advent is a time of arrival. Today you can recognize the truth of how Jesus arrived with one purpose in mind–YOU!
Merry Christmas sweet readers!
Catch up on the Advent series by clicking on the links below:
Here is a Christmas present for all of you. Two more phone lock screens created by my son, Nicholas Please feel free to use and share.
I love to read the prophecies – the fulfillment of Hope – an ending, a beginning, a continuation – all wrapped up and lying in a manger. Happy Christmas, sweet friend!
Dear Mary … this, right here –>’Jesus came for you and me and that is your legacy.’
Thanks for this simple yet profound reminder if what’s important and most needful … not just in this Advent season but in what we leave for those who follow us.
Merry Christmas, dear friend. You are a gift in my life…
Legacy is a word that continues to swirl around in my mind. With a new grand baby on the wya, it is at the forefront again. I pray we all see how the legacy of Jesus is one that grows as we grow in Him. Christmas blessings to you and your family. I am so lucky our paths crossed in this online world over four years ago.
Thank you dear friend for sharing the message of joy that God’s greatest gift brings to each and every one of us! We can give thanks because Jesus lives in our hearts forever and shows His love in countless blessings!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Love,
Karen
You’re welcome! They talk about Jesus being the greatest gift at Christmas, but He is the greatest gift all year round for me. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Mary, another beautiful post. Thank you for reminding me of the One who is writing my story. May I live it well till the very last page. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you, Joanne! May we all live the story of Jesus in our lives and create a legacy that continues on for many years. Merry Christmas to you and yours too.
I want to be so faithful to inhabit the story God has envisioned for me. While I know I’ve stepped outside the story arc a good many times, it’s so gracious of Him to keep writing. Blessings to you, Mary, as you celebrate our Savior!
Thank you for this series.
I also have stepped out of my story, but God patiently draws me back on track. And like you I love knowing that God continues to write our stories inspite of all our mistakes. Christmas blessings to you and your family!