The late David McCullough was one of my all-time favorite writers. He wrote the Pulitzer Prize Winner books John Adams and Truman. His books typically were national best-sellers.
One book I enjoyed reading was The Wright Brothers, the dramatic “story-behind-the-story” about two brothers, Wilber, and Orville Wright, who taught the world how to fly.
There is an interesting account in the book that I want to share with you.
In December 1903, Wilber Wright finally got the brother’s “flying machine” off the ground. In their excitement, Orville and Wilbur sent a telegraph to their sister, Katherine. It simply said, “Flew 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas!”
When Katherine received the telegraph, she immediately raced down to the large Dayton, Ohio newspaper building and showed the telegraph to the news editor. He glanced at it and said, “How nice, the boys will be home for Christmas!”
Did that editor ever miss the point! Man had gone airborne for the first time, although for a short time, but the “big news” for the news editor was the Wright brothers would be home for Christmas!
I wonder how often people miss the “big news” at Christmas? Shopping. Decorating the house. Christmas tree. Wrapping gifts. Visiting family. Opening gifts. Too often, people “miss” the most important news of all – that GOD came into the world at Bethlehem!
Matthew 1:21 reminds us, “She will bring forth a Son, and you will call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Matthew tells us the purpose in JESUS’s birth. “Save” means “to rescue” or “to deliver.” In this verse, Matthew writes that JESUS will rescue or deliver people from the worst of all dangers, eternal separation from GOD because of their sin.
Pastor Mike