unlikely

Luke 2: 1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

I've always been impressed with the unlikeliness of this story.

God chose to do something unlike any other so called deity of them time (or since) - come & live amongst His children, fully God while being fully a man.

He chose an unlikely way to enter - as a baby, not as someone coming in triumph.

He chose an unlikely person as his mother - not a queen, noble lady, rich lady, or even a well know lady - a young (14?, 15? 16?) virgin from Nazareth, in Galilee.

He chose an unlikely time - smack dab in the middle of the Roman world, during a census, when everything & everyone was in chaos.

He chose an unlikely place - Bethlehem was hardly a teeming, sophisticated hub of the world.

He chose an unlikely building to have His son born - in a stable.

But the most stupendous thing is that in the midst of all the unlikeliness of His coming, He did a extraordinary, history-altering thing - He provided a way for humankind to return to the original relationship He had planned for us.

As we walk toward a presence in downtown, what parallels can we draw?

I think I'm a highly unlikely person for Him to choose as a catalyst for this presence downtown.

Could there be a more unlikely location - a warehouse at the foot of Poplar St, across from WMGT?

Could there be a more unlikely time - our financial world is in the tank!

But that's just like God - to choose the unlikely to do extraordinary things.

What will the new year hold?!