Unforgettable Introductions

I remember meeting Chad for the first time. We were at Summersville Lake in WV, the part of the lake where all the teens from our church camp gathered. We called it “the cliffs.” A friend introduced me to Chad because she knew we were both attending the same college, MVNU, in the fall. I remember he was descent looking, not really my type; I preferred band geeks, but he seemed nice. The water was high that year, so what normally would have been a small jumping rock, became a shelf, about 2 under the water. He stood positioned as if he was about to plunge from a 40 foot cliff, and launched himself out into the lake. When he emerged he yelled “You have to try this! It is such a rush!” Apparently, I was not permanently deterred by his quirky sense of humor, or his fear of heights, because 2 short years later I married him.

Do you remember the first time you met Jesus? Maybe it was at a teen camp, or by your bedside. Maybe someone who cared for you introduced you to him. However it happened, I bet you remember. Mary met an angel who introduced her to her son. He was coming. He was there. He was hers and yet was also God’s. This introduction forever changed not only Mary’s life, but also ours. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

I pray as we approach Christmas Day that you will spend time with Jesus. In the hustle and bustle take a moment and remember where you first met him. Then think. Who might you encounter this Christmas that needs to know of our Savior? It is quite possible that this could be the season for unforgettable introductions.