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By: James N. Watkins

With the new year fast upon us there is no better time to examine God’s divine plan mankind. He has a purpose and plan in place for each of us. The Christmas story gives the perfect example of the careful planning God took with each detail of Christ’s birth. Let’s take a closer look.

 GOD HAS A PLAN FOR OUR RELATIONSHIPS THIS COMING YEAR

And Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ (Matthew 1:16-17)

God doesn't merely predict something, then sit back and wait for it to happen. He is intimately involved. Matthew 1:22 assures us that all this took place to fulfill what the Lord has said through the prophet.

This coming year, God will orchestrate the relationships in our lives. He will arrange for us to meet those who need our help, friendship and love.

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR OUR SCHEDULE THIS COMING YEAR

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.

"In Bethlehem in Judea ," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written" (Matthew 2:1-2, 5).

God had some serious logistical problems to work out. Mary and Joseph were from Nazareth . Bethlehem was a one-donkey town that wasn't exactly known for its tourist trade. Why should Christ be born there? August Caesar, not know for his closeness to God (other than thinking he was God) commanded all to return to their ancestral birthplace for a census. Augustus had absolute freewill in calling for a census, but God's providence worked out all the details.

Amazingly, baby Jesus wasn't born halfway between Nazareth and Bethlehem . Babies rarely arrive on their due dates! And riding on a donkey all day would be a certain way to start early labor! But God's timing is always perfect.

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR OUR LOCATION THIS COMING YEAR

I'm sure the cynics in early times scoffed at the Bible's prophecies. I can hear them sneering, "Micah says Christ will come out of Bethlehem , Hosea says Egypt and another says Nazareth ! See, the Bible is always contradicting itself!"

Herod's threat on the life of Jesus sent Mary, Joseph and the baby fleeing from Bethlehem to Egypt .

And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son" (Matthew 2:15).

On their return they discovered that Herod had been succeeded by none better. Once again they fled Bethlehem and moved back to Nazareth .

So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene" (Matthew 2:23).

God's providence extends to our very location. If a major move is in this coming year, we can be assured that God has worked out all the details. His providence applies to even personnel managers!

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EVEN THE TRAGEDIES OF THE COMING YEAR

If God is in control, why did He allow Herod to order the murder of innocent babies? Why are God's children the victims of war, crime, injustice and divorce?

While God is directing history, He is also allowing humankind free choice. Herod misused his freedom—to put it mildly. He murdered his wife, his mother-in-law and three of his sons. And, so there would be sorrow at his death, Herod rounded up the town's leading citizens on false charges with orders to kill them when he died.

But God's sovereignty is able to bring good out of humankind's worst abuses of freewill:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Tragedy may come to anyone of us this New Year. Not all things are good! But somehow, as evidenced in the Christmas story, God's incredible love and providence will work good out of each situation we face

And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said . . .

James N. Watkins is the author of sixteen books and over two thousand articles. He is the acquisition editor for Wesleyan Publishing House, an editorial advisor for ACW Press, instructor at Taylor University and a sought-after conference speaker. He’s won Campus Life’s Book of the Year award and various other awards for writing and editing. He’s married to Lois. They have two children and four grandchildren. His family is the lemonade in his life.

Contact Kathy Carlton Willis Communications at WillisWay@aol.com or KCWComm@rgv.rr.com  for interview and review opportunities with James N. Watkins.