" Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23 " GOD SMILED THRU TEARS " I. The gulf between God and Man had grown immense. Despair had reached the outer rim of the horizon. The cries from Earth reached God's ears just as hope was dying. Cries of, " Send the Deliverer and " Where is the Messiah?," echoed thru the Universe capturing God's undivided attention. He spanned the mass of swarming flesh with His all-knowing eyes. God was saddened at the debauchery of Man's heart. The Almighty watched the spectacle of Man attempting to rise above himself by his own devices. Each attempt only buried Man deeper into the filth and mire of continuous sin. God's greatest desire was to overcome that great gulf created by Man's stubborn disobedience. Would Man ever return to the cradle of the Almighty's arms? God recognized that the appointed time had come. It was now...or never. The LORD God searched diligently for one who could be called upon to bring His message to the perishing masses. But there was no one. Not one who was worthy of the task. Not one who was free from the taint of sin. II. God called a meeting of the Triune Head to critique a plan He had formulated that would breach the great gulf. His plan would wash the sea of sin clean and restore Man back to Himself. The plan once implemented would not be recalled nor fail but would instead provide a narrow opening in the gulf, leading Man to the very Throne of God. All possibilities were considered. It was clear. Only one was 'PERFECT' for the job. God agreed that this ONE would have to leave Heaven, journey to Earth and live amongst the thriving, but dying Humanity. In agreement, God The Son slipped into the shadows. God The Holy Spirit prepared an entryway. God The Father overshadowed the vessel prepared to RECEIVE the APPOINTED ONE. The Almighty peeked over the edge of Eternity and watched the unfolding of His Glory. God knew the beginning from the end. God knew the price that would be paid to redeem and restore Man. III. Mary stifled her cry so her husband, Joseph would not hear. She knew he felt guilty for having to make this journey to Bethlehem in the final days of her pregnancy. She must not add to it by complaining. He had no choice. The Governor had said all the Jews must return to their place of birth to be registered in the Census. Joseph had been born in Bethlehem. The pangs of childbirth were just beginning to press in upon her. She could feel the miracle of life within, pushing with both tiny hands and feet with a might not easily understood. Drawing in a deep breath she whispered, "Husband, are we almost there?" Joseph swallowed hard. He dare not turn and look into her trusting face, for if he did he feared he would halt their journey, take her into his arms and provide a place of rest. He knew by the tightness in her voice that the birthing had begun. But he must continue placing foot in front of foot until they arrived in Bethlehem. THE CHILD must NOT be born in the desert. In his heart he knew there was an appointed place and time. "Soon Mary," He finally spoke gently. "Soon." IV. The lights in the distance became larger and brighter as they approached. Soon they were part of the swelling throng that pushed themselves forward to the City gates. Suddenly Mary slumped forward on the animal's back. Burying her face in its mane she whispered, "The pains...the pains grow ever closer. I fear the baby will come SOON! Are we ALMOST THERE??" Mary felt as if the pains were great torrents of water, as in the ocean washing over and over her bringing no relief. The pressure growing deeper meant deliverance was near. Clenching her teeth, drawing in a quick breath she gasped. Joseph's heart beat faster and faster. Panic gripped him. He glanced at his wife's stiffened form and began pulling the animal as fast as he could towards the gate. He saw a public house and made his way thru the maze of travelers till he stood at the door. A gentleman stood in his way. "A room. We need a room!" He yelled. "I'm sorry. All our rooms are taken. There is another inn down the street." the gentleman replied. Joseph grabbed the reins and pulled with all his might. He saw a lamp hanging in a window with a sign, ROOMS. He banged on the door. Above his head on the second floor a window opened. 'GO AWAY!! We have NO rooms left!! People are TRYING TO SLEEP!!' Joseph tried a third inn and then a fourth but there were no rooms left in the City. He wrung his hands. He looked to Mary but she had somehow mercifully fallen asleep. 'What to do, what to do' he kept whispering. Sweat began streaming down the back of his neck. He stood there, in the middle of the street and spoke to The Almighty. "What am I to do, Jehovah? You see how she is. I am trusting You to provide for her and for Your Son as He enters this world. You have entrusted them to my care and now I will wait for You to direct my steps. I will not fear." V. Just then he heard a soft whisper behind him. Turning he saw a wizened, dried up old man leaning on a staff. A gentle smile upon his face and a sparkle in his eyes told Joseph his prayer had been heard and would soon be answered. "Come, come with me, said the old man; I have a place the little woman can rest." For the first time since they had entered Bethlehem Joseph felt peace. He saw the Hand of God Almighty at work. He knew the way was opening before them. He looked again toward Mary's slumped form and was surprised to see her sitting tall, with the sweetest of smiles on her face. Taking Mary's face in his hands, looking into her eyes he saw she too had peace. He could see she trusted God to fulfill ALL that the Angel had told her about THE CHILD. "Hold on, Mary, this gentleman will show us the way. Jehovah IS moving before us." Kissing her cheek and wiping the sweat from her brow Joseph smiled. Mary saw the resolve and hope in Joseph's eyes and smiled. They both looked trustingly to the elderly gentleman who nodded. He motioned for them to follow. The three of them moved thru the last few streets of Bethlehem, now almost empty of the crowds that had arrived earlier. There at the edge of town was a little farm. In the back was a cave where the animals sought shelter from the wolves and poor weather. The man's wife was waiting at the doorway. She wore a look upon her face that said, "We were expecting you." Joseph helped Mary step down from the beast's back and they entered the cave. It was warm and clean and smelled of fresh mown hay. There was a jug of fresh water and thick blankets sitting in a corner. It was private. That is all Mary needed to know. VI. She lay upon the bed of hay and closed her eyes. She appeared to be sleeping but she was not. She was preparing herself for the final hours left before she would bring THE CHILD into the World. A look of contentment rested upon her face. Joseph turned to the couple and said, '"Thank you. Thank you. What can I pay you for this kindness?" The couple just smiled, assured him there was no charge and that they would be nearby if needed. Then they turned and left. Joseph moved closer to Mary and sat down at her side. He took her small hand in his and wondered at the strength it took to bring life into the world. He was in awe as he saw her begin the work that women have done since the beginning of time. He spoke not a word, just held her hand and watched. Breathing, pushing, resting till a pattern was established. Till it seemed her body had a will and mission of its own. Joseph silently willed her on, urging her to continue till the task was completed. VII. She entered the last phase of labor still holding onto Joseph's hand. He never pulled away tho she dug so hard her nails tore his flesh. Taking her deepest breath yet and bracing herself for this last and final push she focused on the HOLY ONE who was coming. One more push and then... SUDDENLY!!!!! the still night was shattered by the cry of an INFANT! THE CHILD HAD BEEN BORN!! THE SON OF GOD, EMMANUEL HAD INDEED COME TO EARTH!! The couple standing outside the cave began to cry. From inside the cave they not only heard the baby crying but also laughter! Pure and tinkling laughter filled with GREAT JOY! The night sky seemed to explode with breathtaking fireworks! Angels appeared from behind the clouds as if they had been waiting for THIS moment. They were singing, 'Glory to God, Peace On Earth, Good Will To Men!!' without end! The star that shone the brightest seemed to hang over the cave where the newborn baby lay. The elderly couple moved to the cave door and peeked in. At the same time in Heaven, God Almighty was also peeking over the edge of Eternity. Watching the unfolding of His Glory. There lay the beautiful young woman holding in her arms her precious newborn son, THE Son of God. Joseph was on his face giving thanks to God for all that had happened. For all that he had seen that night. For ALL he had been told had come to pass. VIII. From behind the couple came the loud bleeting of sheep. They turned and right before their eyes were hundreds of sheep and shepherds! They were coming from over the hilltop shouting and waving their arms! " ANGELS told us to follow the STAR! They said a NEW KING had been born! At first we were afraid but then we KNEW we MUST follow the Star and SEE this NEW KING! Where is HE?? " As many as could crowded into the tiny cave to get a glimpse of this newborn King. They were struck at the lowliness of His birth. The simplicity of how He had entered this World. A KING born in a stable with the animals as witness?? Who ever heard of such a thing? They stared at the mother, exhausted from her ordeal yet appearing serene. Then there was THE CHILD. They could not take their eyes from THE CHILD. Slowly, one by one they fell to their knees. Wonder shone upon their faces. While from Heaven drifted beautiful music from The Angelic Choir. One of the Shepherds approached quietly, so as not to disturb the sleeping Infant. "May we know His name?" he asked Mary. She smiled and looked into the sleeping face of her son. She held him tightly to her breast. Her face still glistening with perspiration and her eyes brimming with tears, she looked to the crowd of people, waiting anxiously for an answer, and replied, "Yes, you may know His Name. Mary looked to Joseph. Joseph spoke aloud for the first time. His voice thick with emotion and tears running down his face, he said, "His Name is JESUS." IX. The Angels watched and sang, if at all possible, louder and rejoiced longer at the mention of the Name JESUS. The Angels turned and looked into Heaven. They saw God, The Father and God, The Holy Spirit watching. The Angels began to dance in Heaven as they witnessed the brilliant smile upon God's face. They heard God Almighty whisper, 'Jesus. His Name is JESUS.' God, The Father, God, The Son, God, The Holy Spirit looked out into Eternity. They saw the Beginning. They saw the End. They heard God whisper again, " Jesus. His Name is Jesus." The Angels puzzled at what they saw upon God's face because though He smiled,brilliantly there was one lone tear, bright as the brightest diamond, glistening as it slid down God's cheek. God, The Son closed His eyes, rested in His mother's arms and fell asleep. God, The Holy Spirit kept a watchful eye on the surrounding countryside. God, The Father whispered again, with GREAT emphasis, "JESUS. MY SON's NAME IS JESUS! HE WILL REDEEM AND RESTORE MAN TO ME." ~ BY ~ Roberta Wilcox @1992 " For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE." Isaiah 9:6 " And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 " For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 " For the wages of sin is death but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 " If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9