By Pat Gray
On coming to the house, they saw the young child with Mary, His mother, and fell down, and worshiped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Matthew 2:11-12
The birth of Jesus and the entire story of His wondrous life on earth are filled with miracles. A part of the extraordinary story surrounds the visit of the wise men who refused to inform King Herod about the newborn child. The most wicked plan Herod could then devise to be rid of the baby-to-be-king was to kill every baby in Judea. Not a single baby escaped Herod's cruel fate...except the baby Jesus. He survived because Mary and Joseph followed an angel's admonition and secretly traveled from Bethlehem to Egypt with their baby son.
And so Jesus lived, and He is still living today when we allow Him into our hearts.
My favorite children's prayer says: Dear God, thank you for Your loving care. You have been right with me everywhere. At school, at play, You are always by my side, my special friend, my loving guide... not far above, but right here in my heart, for You are love. Amen.
Pat Gray has been a member of South Main since 1985. Pat is married to Larry. They have two daughters who were raised at South Main Baptist Church and five grandchildren.
