Details

There is a saying that goes 'the devil is in the details'.  Interestingly, it is believed this phrase originated as a variant to another saying, "God is in the detail."  Both sayings have been credited to a number of different people and I can't say with any confidence that the one came from the other, but that is not my point.  My point is that as I think of all the things going on in my life today, I can see that details matter. I am speaking at my grandmother's memorial service tomorow morning...the details of her life are critically important to me as never before.  We are planning and preparing for Elevation Church to launch in a few weeks on January 9, 2011.  There are lots of details and they all matter.  Christmas is just 9 days away and as I work on the details of decorations, gifts, and managing the multitude of parties and family gatherings, I can't help but think about the intricate details involved in the birth of our Savior.

The Old Testament is filled with prophecies regarding the birth of the Messiah.  His genealogical lineage was foretold to include Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Jesse and David.  These prohetic passages are found in Genesis, Isaiah, 2 Samuel, Jeremiah and Psalms.  The Gospel of Matthew details Jesus' lineage and, no surprise, He fulfills all of the genealogical messianic prophecies. 

It was also prophesied that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), and that a messenger would precede him and prepare the way for him (Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1).  We know from the Gospels that Jesus was born in Bethlehem of the virgin Mary and that his cousin John the Baptist came before him and prepared people to receive him.

God thought of everything...He caused Mary's cousin, Elizabeth, to have a baby (John the Baptist) even though she and her husband were too old to hope for a child. He sent angels to speak to Mary and Joseph so they would somewhat understand what was happening. He orchestrated a census that made Mary and Joseph leave Nazareth where the lived and travel to Bethlehem.  He filled the inn at Bethlehem with weary travellers and caused the Son of God to be born in a barn and bedded in a feed trough for animals.  God sent angels to speak to shepherds and caused a very bright star to appear.  He led three kings to seek out the King of Kings.  God did all of this and more to bring you and me the ultimate gift - Jesus - and to show us that he is as easy to find as a gift under the tree.

God is in the big things and the small things.  He cannot be dismissed or explained away.  The details all point to who Jesus is - the Son of God, the Savior.  He fuflills hundreds of prophecies that were revealed to dozens of individuals and passed from generation to generation over the course of thousands of years.  The odds of any individual fuflilling just seven of these prophecies is 10 to the 38th power or...
100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000 : 1

So as you go about making your list and checking it twice this Christmas, remember that the details matter.  If you take the time to check them out you will find that God is indeed in the details!