As you probably know, we have Paul Harvey here on KMAM/KMOE, and he can make ordinary news sound interesting. He told a story on Christmas Day, 2006, that he had related at other times, but I may still have a bit of a problem remembering all of it. But it’s worth repeating now, because it’s not really a Christmas story; it’s one of the best ways I’ve ever heard of how to explain why Jesus came to us as a human, to change the law of sacrifice for the Jewish people, and to allow us Gentiles to be included as His Chosen People.

Mr. Harvey said a man was sitting in his living room one snowy night when he heard a thump against the picture window. Then more thumps. He got up to investigate and found a flock of birds, fluttering in the snow. They had seen the light in the window and tried to fly through.

The man took pity on the birds, and went out to try to help them. He opened the door to his barn and turned on lights in there, but the birds couldn’t understand. He tried to catch one, hoping the others would follow as he took it to the shelter and warmth of the barn, but they still couldn’t understand. He tried everything he could think of, but nothing helped. And finally he himself understood…that he would have to be a bird…to be one of them…before he could communicate and help them.

I’ve left out much, because I’m re-telling from memory, but you get the point, I’m sure; that no one could understand Christ’s desire to help us until he became one of us. And when He did, He changed the world from the continual sacrifice of animals to God, to becoming that sacrifice, once for all, and gave us all the choice of becoming His Chosen.

The offer stands, like an unopened gift, and the only way we can be a part of Him is to open it. You can do that right now by telling Him you’re ready to give your life to Him. Talk it over with Him…He’s the unseen guest at your house, even if you’ve never given Him a thought up to now.

37BT Bill Thornton December 27, 2006