Postponed travel plans, pulling an all-nighter and a complete disruption of my weekend activities were not my idea of how our vacation would end. This past Friday my husband and I were returning from visiting family in Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. We thought we were being clever taking a late Friday night flight home, avoiding all the post-holiday weekend travelers at the airport. What we couldn’t plan for was fog that prevented us from landing in Augusta. By 1:00am on Saturday morning we were frantically scrambling to book a hotel room or rental car. Nothing was working out though. We were tired, weary and just wanted to get home. Thankfully the Lord worked it out for us to be rescued by a friend who drove all the way from Augusta to Atlanta, in the early morning hours, to bring us home.  Finally, at 7:00am, we were in our bed and sleeping.

Jesus’ entry into the world was not like anything people thought it would be either. We read in His Word that many had been waiting for the arrival of their Savior. They too were weary and tired of this world and were desperately hoping for their rescuer to come. His birth was unlike anyone could have dream of though. In Luke 1:26-38 & Luke 2:1-21 we read the story of His entrance into the world and the unique circumstances that marked this miraculous event in history. He was born of a virgin (Luke 1:34). Mary, a young teenage girl, gave birth to Jesus in a dirty, smelly stable and laid Him in a feeding trough for animals, also called a manager (Luke 2:7); It wasn’t exactly fit for the newborn king. Shepherds, those who were considered to be some of the lowest in society, were some of the first to meet the greatest gift to mankind.

God had a plan though and each detail is significant. The story we read over and over, especially this time of year, is a reminder that God is in control...Even in the moments when things don’t play out the way we think they should. His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). As you reflect on the birth of His son this season, may you be reminded that He’s in control of your story too and He came for everyone, including those who some look at as less than. Maybe you feel overlooked or insignificant at times, I pray this season reminds you that God loves you and His gift, Jesus, was sent for YOU!

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your waysand my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9

-April Sather, 88.3 WAFJ Morning Show