Out for Delivery
Good news your package is set for delivery today. Exciting news your package is out for delivery today.
Why now this time of travel
I don’t recall mention of this
No it was Hail Mary highly favored
I’ve been sent to tell you this
You shall conceive and bring forth a Son
You are to call His Name Jesus
Journey to Bethlehem now part of the story
House of bread, now Living He frees us
But we can look back now
At the traditions we’ve been taught
Have we forsaken reality
Is it exactly as we thought
It really wasn’t so silent
On that starry night
Only those engaged
Were aware of this Holy sight
The journey was very grueling
Ninety miles in that day
Was an arduous event
For the two who were in the way
The journey had taken a toll
You know on Mary in her condition
She probably wasn’t complaining
Perhaps unsettled in the transition
For the two it wasn’t really calm
Many were bustling all around
Gathering into the village
To register each in their own town
As history has painted
Oh A glorious sight indeed
But only to those who had chosen
To bow their ear His Voice did heed
For the two who walked this out
Their commitment was experiential
But to those of us who read
We know every detail was very essential
He was working His plan of salvation
God was going to redeem mankind
The plan indeed had been written
Had its beginning long before this time
A decree was written then issued
Requiring that all must register
A census now would be gathered
Could Caesar know about our visitor from heaven
Why now the need to take a count
What better timing of events to record
Those written and spoken by the prophets
Not one minute detail could be ignored
Coming up from Nazareth
What did Joseph see
The journey dangerous and hard
Delivering to us, eternity
Wait this is just a business journey right
To Bethlehem for the two
But how was Mary feeling
Aware of what was to ensue
Oh this seat we have been given
To view our Masters satisfaction
They however were living this out
Instructed only to follow a lawful action
When the days had been accomplished
Mary’s delivery time did come
All of heaven stooped to watch
The Birth of Jesus her newborn Son
Yes we should keep records
Of such marvelous timely events
We who sit in the stadium of time
Watching and waiting for redemptions ascent
He came to suffer
Our sacrifice to die
But not once in Heaven is it recorded
That this event would make them cry
For all of Heaven rejoiced
The Angels made a proclamation
Because He entered in legally
Heavens sacrifice for salvation
A glorious night yes I’ll say
When shepherds heard the news
Today in the city of David
Good News, God’s gift was delivered for you
Laurette laster © 2018 November
In the early days of December I received an update email from UPS, saying I could receive text messages to notify me of packages and delivery information. I thought this was a neat idea so I entered my cell phone number to receive text alerts.
A couple of days later I received a text message that said, “Good News your package is out for delivery today.” Then later in the afternoon I received another text that said, “Good News your package has been delivered.”
I had written the poem above in November, prior to receiving these notifications. I thought to myself, that is a perfect name for my Christmas Poem, Out For Delivery!
I wonder if UPS copied the bible when choosing their message. Have you considered how old the message is? The message UPS uses didn’t originate with them, no it was spoken about Two thousand eighteen years ago, by Angels who heralded the Good News of our Savior Jesus Christ’ birth.
This news was not given to some lowly dirty shepherds as we have heard or tradition has taught. Some really emotional stories and messages have been preached throughout the years, about how God showed up to some unsuspecting low life’s who didn’t know about our promised Messiah and God’s promises. Let’s think about this for a moment. God who is methodical, perfect and precise has made perfect plans and they always point us to another great truth. God would not send a message by heavenly messengers to those who didn’t understand or know where to go to look for this Babe born in Bethlehem. No, it is believed and stated that these were the Temple Shepherds. These were those who knew about the promised coming Messiah, and were looking for the redemption of Israel through Him. These shepherds worked in Migdol Edar. These shepherds, guarded the sheep that were used for Temple sacrifice. These events are perfect and planned. This event occurred after the silent years between Malachi and Matthew. Those in the Temple who studied the Torah and went to the synagogues to be taught knew the time was at hand and very close. So when the Good News was heralded the shepherds didn’t have to wonder, no they said let us go and see this thing the angels have told to us, and they went to see, and they knew where to go.
Too often we romanticize the gospel and therefore miss so much of the cost of those who were chosen by God. They each paid a very high price, but nothing compared to the cost paid by our Savior Jesus Christ. I believe Mary and Joseph like the others had to walk out their destinies by faith. Last year I saw this painting by Gari Melchers for the very first time. The painting is called The Nativity! It was painted in 1860 or 1862 I believe. When I saw this painting it made my spirit leap. I believe this was probably the best picture and captures the reality of what Mary and Joseph walked out.
Oh yes, the birth of Christ IS the most glorious event to ever happen in the history of man, there is no doubt concerning this. However God used chosen instruments for His purposes and plans. God didn’t say to those He chose, oh you blessed and highly favored you don’t have to go through the days and nights by faith. I won’t require you to live by faith. God didn’t say to them, I’ll make sure you never worry or have pain. No! God chose His vessels because God placed His Spirit in them, and God knew they would hear and obey His voice. God still knows who will bow their ear and obey His commands.
I bought a copy of this print and keep it displayed all year, just like my painting of Simeon’s Moment, the painting I received a few Christmas’s ago of Simeon with Jesus in the temple. The painting of The Nativity is in my hallway and I am often reminded, obedience is better than sacrifice. I am reminded that in the turmoil, God’s plan is working in spite of me, not because of me. I am reminded that God will have His way, if I am patient and bow my ear to His word. I am reminded that it is often after the struggle that I see His hand of mercy and realize I was being led. I am reminded of His grace that has been poured out to me by the birth of Jesus Christ. I am reminded that God’s love covers me at The Cross of Jesus Christ and faith leads me safely by His Holy Spirit now living in me because of the resurrection of Christ. And then I reminded we have hope and we have Christmas always with us in our hearts. And this came as a message to us all some two thousand and eighteen years ago:
Good News, God’s gift was delivered for you. Merry Christmas, to one and all.
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Through All Seasons 