Response 

                                                                     Submitted by: Merilee Ottoson

Response---a “yes” or “no” decision given to a question or situation.      

Everything about the Christmas story demands a response. The arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem one night long ago demanded a response. The precious plan of Salvation was about to be presented to the world in the form of flesh and blood…the birth of the Perfect Sacrifice…..Jesus.     Born…..to die.

Each of the characters in the Christmas narration responded to Jesus.  Angels following the call of God, burst through the skies with the announcement of His arrival. Shepherds listening to the news of the angels, hurried to find Him as they said to each other, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing that the Lord has made known to us.”(Luke 2:15) Seeking to match their astronomy studies with the promise of a King, the Wise Men desired to see Him first hand…meaning a trip of over 1,000 miles. And then there was Simeon…waiting….a man whose heart had longed many years for the coming of the Savior. As Mary and Joseph entered the temple on the eighth day to carry out the custom of the Law, Simeon met them with open arms. His joy was inexplicable……….the promise he had received from God was realized. His eyes beheld the Promised One!! A response of worship and praise….

No matter our background….religious or not…..we ALL respond to God and the plan He crafted from the beginning of time. Each of us make a decision to follow and submit ourselves to Him or we chose to reject this offer. There are no “fence sitters”. To NOT choose to follow…to wait until later…..to wait until it is convenient…..IS to choose.

It seems as though the shadow of the cross must have been upon

 the manger where he lay…

One Child………one perfect plan………our great sin…..a greater God.

“today if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart………..” (Hebrews 3:15