A Different Plan - Part 2 (A New Plan)

Remember when I said I had a plan?

We had all the details worked out. A schedule for everyone.

But, God had a different plan.

Christmas Eve I was finished. All my presents were wrapped. The pie I would take for dinner was baked and ready. Hubby had someone to fill in for him for Christmas Eve service (just in case). I stayed home that evening to put Joseph to bed at 7:00.

Hubby got home about 8:30. He still had a few things to wrap. So, I puttered around on the computer for a bit while he finished up. Then, as had become our tradition for Christmas Eve, we watched "It's a Wonderful Life" and went to bed.

As we were getting ready for bed, I felt a bit uncomfortable. I thought it was indigestion. It would pass. And it did. Hubby wondered if it was something else.

Then, it happened again ... about 10 minutes later. Hmmm. This is different than any indigestion I'd had before. Hubby thought it was indigestion. I said, "I'm scheduled for a C-section in 36 hours."

It happened again. Hubby decided it was time to call.

Resigned sigh.

I called the doctor. He called his mother to stay with Joseph.

All previous plans went out the window and a whole new plan began.

The details of the trip to the hospital and the hours after we arrived are mostly a fog. We arrived almost simultaneously with 2 other couples. One delivered before me.

Cora arrived about 4 AM Christmas morning. Our Christmas baby.

The plan had changed, but oh what a beautiful present.

Mary had a plan too. She was getting married.

But God had a different plan.

There was a visit from an angel. She was going to have a baby.

A pregnancy she hadn't wanted. What would she tell her family? What would she tell Joseph? How would he react? What would he say? The questions multiplied as the days continued.

All previous plans went out the window and a whole new plan began.

Then there was a decree from Caesar. They had to go to Bethlehem. They wouldn't even be home when her baby arrived. She wouldn't have her mother to help her. Or the other local mid-wives. What if something happened while they were traveling? More questions. The plan changed again.


And while they were away, it happened. They tried to find a place to stay, but the city was crowded. A stable near an inn was all that was available. At least it was under some cover away from the elements.

The details are fuzzy. We don't know very much - and it doesn't matter.

Sometime that day, Jesus arrived. The Christmas baby.

The plan had changed, but oh what an amazing present!



Coming Soon ... Part 3 (Attitude Adjustment)