It was a moment that separated history. A moment that changed the world from a period before to a time since. A moment that brought truth, hope and joy to the world … the Lord is Come. As the anniversary of this moment is upon us through the celebration of Christmas, we would do well to reflect much on how much our world (and our lives) have been changed through His coming. Consider the true story of two families…
Two families living side by side in the mountains of Kentucky had been fighting and quarreling for years. The feud started when Grandfather Smith’s cow jumped over the stone fence of Grandfather Brown and ate his corn. Brown shot the cow. Then one of the Smith boys shot one of the Brown boys, in fact two of them. The Brown’s retaliated and shot one of the Smith brothers.
Since there was two in the Brown family dead to only one in the Smith family, Bill, the oldest of the Brown family, decided to even up matters. But Bill was called away to war. While he was away his mother had a hard time providing for the family.
One Christmas the head of the Smith family took his wife and children to church. Usually he stayed outside, but it was so cold he decided to go in and wait. The sermon was on Christ, the Prince of Peace. It struck Smith’s heart. On his way home as he passed the home of the Brown family he began to realize what a crime he had committed in killing the breadwinner. He prayed. He did more. He determined secretly to help them by hiring a small boy to carry a basket of food to the Brown home every day.
When Bill came home, and heard of this kindness, he decided to find out who the generous helper was. He followed the little boy – to the door of Smith’s house. He could not believe his eyes. When Smith answered his knock, he smiled and declared:
“Shoot me, Bill, if you want to.”
But Bill said he had come to thank him for taking care of his family while he was gone. Then Smith explained to Bill how he had come to a change of heart. He had heard the story of the first Christmas, the story of the Prince of Peace. It changed him.
And Jesus has changed me …. and you?
“For God was pleased … through (Jesus) to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:19,20) Pastor Mark
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