The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 1:26-35, “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason, the Holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”

“No one of any nobility travels alone.” At least, that was surely what was thought by the multitude of men and women going to the place of their birth to register as citizens. What was unique was that Mary and Joseph were not traveling alone! The Holy Spirit of God was their constant, inseparable Companion.

Accommodation in Nazareth in those days was not what it is today. Oh, they had “inns” where a couple could spend the night, but the inns were already filled to capacity, requiring the young couple to find accommodation in a stall with the cattle. We can only imagine what they thought – the Savior of the world, born in the company of livestock!

I’ve slept in some “accommodations” that were less than desirable. Yet, I never complained, knowing that my hosts were providing for me the best that they had. We will always do well to remember where Baby Jesus was born.

Heartily yours in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need,

Until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom