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Straight into my heart - adoration.

 
I’ve never experienced anything like this before.  I mean I have heard the story million of times.  I’ve sang the carols, I’ve watched the play.  I’ve seen the scene in the manger.  But this . . . .  never.    
 
Maybe its cause I spent the last two hours singing Angels We Have Heard On High from the rooftop – literally.  I don’t know.  All I know is that I will never forget last Sunday EVER.
 
I get choked up just thinking about it . . . .
 
There, in the manger, was Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus.  They looked so real. Wait, they were real – it was the dress rehearsal for Journey to Bethlehem which my church, Family of Christ, is hosting.  Three nights in December where the public could experience a glimpse of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. 
 
I’m playing one of the angels on the roof – outside.  Yes, I said outside, on the roof of the church, the first week of December.   (now you KNOW just how crazy I am!)  We join Gabriel in announcing the birth of the newborn King.
 
So anyway, its dress rehearsal and I’ve been on the roof for at least two hours.   Each time a group comes out, Gabriel proclaims the Good News and we break into song,
 
            Come to Bethlehem and see,
Him Whose birth the angels sing (that’s us!)
 
          Come adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
 
          Gloooooooooooo-reeeeeee – aaaaa.  In excelsis Deo.
          Gloooooooooooo-reeeeeee- aaaaa.  In excelsis Deo.
So anyway, rehearsal’s done and I thought I would just take the rest of the tour since I won’t be able to see it any other time (I’ll be out on the roof, remember?  J).  I join the last group – we listen to the three kings singing, we run into the city guards.
 
Then, we come upon the manger.  Joseph is there with his betrothed, Mary.  The baby (only 5 days old btw), sleeps contently.  That’s when I just fell to my knees.  I don’t remember what was said, I don’t remember who all was there.  I just remember the moment.  Adoration. 
 
I just knelt there in awe.   Adoring.
 
Adoring what?  A set?  The newborn?  No, the gift.  The wonder.  The God Who did all this.  The sacrifice He planned.  He did this just to be with us  Just to have us be with Him.  That thought alone is overwhelming. 
 
God Incarnate showing Himself - Emmanuel, God With Us. 
 
GOD WITH US
 
In the form of an innocent babe, born to save the world.  I guess it just hit me – right between the eyes – straight into my heart.
 
There is so much to adore at Christmas time, but this . . . . .  . . .  I will never be the same.
 
Isaiah 45:  so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

I have attached info on the website for Journey to Bethlehem:
 

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