It was a fall evening and things did not seem to be going so well. A young couple bounced over the rough road in an battered pickup truck. The husband was answering the call of his government who was transferring him to another post of duty. The move had been sudden and his boss had said that the move was urgent if he wanted to keep his job. The wife had urgent needs of her own, for the bouncing of the truck was bringing on something that was even more immanent. She was expecting a child. And she was expecting that child any minute now. The couple was aware of a hospital in the next town. If they could just make it there. The husband was torn with the desire to get there sooner, and the caution to go more slowly to make it easier on his wife. The wife just felt torn. The time was upon her. There were sighs of relief as the hospital came into view. But there was to be no relief. The hospital would not let them in, because they did not have the insurance or the cash needed to receive services there. A migrant worker happened to hear what was going on. He had experienced the lack of hospitality that was exhibited by the hospital management. His heart was a touched, and he invited the couple to the place where he lived in the migrant camp. Being desperate, the couple took him up on his offer. Soon the bawling of a newborn filled the tiny dwelling with magic music. Another life, another gift from God had been given to the world. As the word from the little house got spread around, the people in the camp began to come and share their pitiful belongings with this tiny stranger. From one family came some worn diapers. from another a well used baby bottle. From another came a tiny set of pajamas, clean but stained. One thoughtful child brought a cracked rattle that they had shaken when a little younger. Back in the town some of the residents had taken note of what had gone on. "White trash," said some. "They got what they deserve. They belong with the migrants." Others wisely shook their heads in agreement. But some in the town were not so inclined. They felt that every child was a gift from God, They responded in generosity. The car dealer gave them a comfortable car to finish their journey in. The owner of the gas station gave them gift cards of a great enough value that they were able to finish their journey. The owner of the grocery store filled their trunk with food for several days, and bid them godspeed on their journey. Little did any of them know that this baby would grow up to be a teacher who would devote his life to the education and general betterment of the lives of that community. The retelling of the age old story is one that brings compassion and joy to the hearts of many. To think of a gift as great as a child is one thing, but if that Child is also the Son of God it makes it quite another thing. Today I want us to take just a few minutes to ponder the meaning of that Divine gift. The angel told Mary that she should call the child's name Jesus, because he would save people from their sins. And that is the extent of what we often see. However, I would like to suggest today, that as well as the gift of salvation, the incarnation of Jesus brought us many other gifts. For you see, if Christ had not come, what would have come of the other gifts that were promised to and received by His people? How easily we forget Luke 1:26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then 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 bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; 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 of His kingdom there will be no end." 34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" 35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. So while we know it and occasionally speak of it, how easy is it for us to forget that God worked through His Spirit to bring about the miracle of God connecting with humanity in an inconceivable way. No wonder we say, the mystery of Godliness. When we take a look at the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 "And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?......... both Jews and proselytes, 11 "Cretans and Arabs; we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?" 13 Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine." Peter of course denies this, but in a sense they were correct. There was a New Spirit, a new being. Humanity combined with the power of God in a new way. They were experiencing what Paul preached, "Christ in you, the hope of Glory." Pentecost was not as much a new outpouring as it was a confirmation of Jesus' continuing desire that we might have gifts that brought joy to us and honor to him. That is what God wants for us today. He does not just want to put the robe on our shoulders. He does not just want to put the ring on our fingers. He does not just want to fill our bellies with a fantastic feast. He wants to give us the gift of a new creation. He wants to work in our lives to take away the what is hurting, emotionally, physically, and above all spiritually, and introduce us to a new life that moves us away from all of that. He wants to give us the gift of His Life in our life. Let me paraphrase the message to Mary And the angels say to us: "Do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God. "And behold, in your life you will reflect the likeness of Jesus." Then we say to the angel, "How can this be for with mankind it is impossible?" And the angels answer, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy life which develops will reflect the goodness of God." With man, impossible. With God, very much possible. The birth of Jesus was not only a miracle of greatest proportions, it was also the outline of what God wants to do in each of our lives. We, however must let Him work. To receive the greatest gift, we must give all that we have. Which is the best exchange that ever could happen in this universe. We give up the little that we have and are, and in turn are given infinite time, infinite life, infinite wisdom, and experience infinite love. Does that sound like a good deal to you? Are you willing to commit to that exchange today. Are you willing to give yourself to someone who will give you everything? Laurie DeWitt