“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.” Isaiah 9:6. (NKJV).
“The service was long.” Timmy climbed into the truck. “But the music was good.”
“Counted the light bulbs again, did you?” Grandfather chuckled. “Guess I did the same at your age.”
Seatbelts fastened, he pulled into the street, headed east. “We’re not going home?”
“Nope.” Out of town, he turned down a dirt road filled with potholes and deep ruts.
“The farm?” Timmy leaned forward. “That old barn's about to fall down.”
“Come on.” Behind his seat, Grandfather grabbed a basket. “Lunch. Get that blanket, will you?” He pushed open the barn door. Timmy sneezed.
“This is a palace compared to the place our Lord was born,” Grandfather said. “Help me spread the blanket.” After eating, He leaned against one of the posts.
December wind whistled through the cracks, stirring bits of hay and dirt. In the sun's rays, dust motes danced.
“Why wasn’t The Lord Jesus born in a palace?” Timmy shivered, pulled his jacket tighter.
“He removed His royal robes in Heaven and came to earth clothed in flesh as a baby, helpless and dependent,” Grandfather said. "He did it to offer everyone His grace and love, whether they’re born in a stable or a castle. He invites whosoever to come.”
“That includes me,” Timmy dipped his head. “It’s easy to forget what He did for me.”
“Counted the light bulbs again, did you?” Grandfather chuckled. “Guess I did the same at your age.”
Seatbelts fastened, he pulled into the street, headed east. “We’re not going home?”
“Nope.” Out of town, he turned down a dirt road filled with potholes and deep ruts.
“The farm?” Timmy leaned forward. “That old barn's about to fall down.”
“Come on.” Behind his seat, Grandfather grabbed a basket. “Lunch. Get that blanket, will you?” He pushed open the barn door. Timmy sneezed.
“This is a palace compared to the place our Lord was born,” Grandfather said. “Help me spread the blanket.” After eating, He leaned against one of the posts.
December wind whistled through the cracks, stirring bits of hay and dirt. In the sun's rays, dust motes danced.
“Why wasn’t The Lord Jesus born in a palace?” Timmy shivered, pulled his jacket tighter.
“That includes me,” Timmy dipped his head. “It’s easy to forget what He did for me.”
“Understood. We humans accept His gifts and forget we receive them because He took our place on the cross.” Timmy dipped his head. “But the good news? He loves us and understands us.” Timmy’s head snapped up, his smile outshining his tears.
“Why did it take me so long to understand?”
Grandfather smiled. “We’re all a bunch of who’s. Sometimes we hear the message, sometimes we count light bulbs—“
“Like me this morning?”
“Something like that. Don’t beat yourself up. Our God is Mighty and He has a plan—“
“A plan?”
“He’s the One who knows the whosoever’s or who’s. Knows them by name but more than that? He loves them and wants them to ba a part of His family.”
“What am I suppose to do?”
“You’re one of His who’s. You get to share and point the way to the Lord Jesus.”
“He loves me that much?”
“Absolutely.”
“Are we going to the service this evening?”
Grandfather nodded. “Yay. Grandfather? I’m not counting lightbulbs this evening.”
He gave him a high five.
Kingdom Thinking. The Christmas season brings much to remember—Unto us the Lord Jesus came to earth. A baby who grew into a man, the Son, to prepare the way to Heaven. He loves me and promises never to leave me. He has a plan for my life. He loves you and offers the same to you. Please come.