Week 2 Devotional – Faith: The Bethlehem Candle
Mary and Joseph had plans in Nazareth. They were going to be wed and live a quiet life together. But God interrupted.
Suddenly, Mary was carrying the hope of the world in her womb as she and Joseph headed toward Bethlehem for a census—an arduous trip some scholars believe could have been upwards of 90 miles.
But it was a trip they were destined for. In fact, 700 years prior, it was prophesied:
“… Bethlehem … out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel …” –Micah 5:2
It wasn’t the plan Mary and Joseph initially had in mind but it was God’s path; they placed their trust and faith in Him.
Just as in biblical times, God continues to interrupt lives today. Just look at Shackla (pictured at the top). She and her husband, Omar, were once devout Muslims. It was the only faith they had ever known. Then one day, her husband told her that he had accepted Jesus into his heart. Recalling that fateful moment, Shackla says, “I was not only afraid, but also angry with my husband, that he changed his faith.”
Her plans had been interrupted. But God was at work. Omar continued to share the gospel and read the Bible with his wife. And over time, Shackla’s heart began to soften. She was amazed at not only the miraculous birth of Jesus, but His sacrifice, saying, “He gave his life for us, and He is our Savior. I will live the rest of my life for Jesus, not for myself.”
Today, Shackla welcomes Muslim seekers into her home so they can have conversations about the gospel. Although her life was interrupted, her Christian faith is everything to her now—and she wouldn’t change it for the world.
