Christmas Surprise
by Neville Callam,
General Secretary of the
Baptist World Alliance
“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be
afraid, Mary, for you have found
favor with God. And now, you will
conceive in your womb and bear
a son, and you will name him
Jesus….’ Mary said to the angel,
‘How can this be, since I am a
virgin?’” (Luke 1:30-31; 34)
This is Christmas — a season of
surprises.
A virgin conceives and awaits the
birth of her child.
God takes human form in the
womb of a young woman of
marriageable age. The eternal
God — the omniscient and omnipotent
one — leaves the courts of heaven and
stoops to take up residence in this
world.
The great Creator comes to the world and is denied the generous welcome that God eminently deserves. God's own people refuse to grant a home here to the Maker of heaven and earth.
This is Christmas — a season of surprises.
Lowly shepherds, keeping watch over their flock by night, are mesmerized by heavenly music. They journey to Bethlehem, find the Savior lying in a manger, and spread the good news about what they heard and saw.
Neville Callam speaking at the
2016 BWA Annual Gathering in Vancouver, Canada.
(photo by Brian Kaylor)
(continued on next page)