Do you see what I see?

         This week Greg and I experienced the 4D ultrasound image of our first grandchild. It was exciting and fascinating to be able to see such detail. (I question, is there any place of privacy in this world anymore?)

         That said we loved seeing her pudgy cheeks and beautiful shaped lips and her nose was perfect and tiny. We have much to look forward to!

         Greg was so wise when he drew the parallel of our granddaughter’s “snapshot” to the passages from Isaiah as he prophesied what the world had to look forward to…

The Messiah.

The government will be upon His shoulder. His name will be Wonderful. Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting father. Prince of Peace.

         This was the snapshot of what would be fulfilled 700 years later as the Messiah was born.  The Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, was born as a baby, in a stable, without a doctor, or warm blankets. Born to a mom and dad whom the angels had spoken.

         The fulfillment of that snapshot was taken 700 years prior. What did the shepherds find? What did the wise men find? Did that baby look like what they had expected from the snapshot?  Is He what you are expecting? God's plans are not our plans nor are His ways, our ways. The truth is His plans, hopes and dreams for us and our children far exceed any snapshot we can try to decipher. We need to trust the master photographer. I pray that your snapshot for this Christmas season will exceed your expectations!

A fun practical activity for your children this week; Go through last years (or any prior years) Christmas pictures/cards or “snapshots” with your children.  Have them look at their friends and relatives and talk about how their friends and family have changed and how they imagine they will change in the years to come.  Turn the conversation to spiritual characteristics of themselves that cannot be seen and help them to set goals for their future “snapshots.”