I scanned the first half dozen or so rows on either side of the aisle as I boarded the Southwest aircraft.  An unoccupied window seat flashed like a beacon in a vast sea of vacant middle seats.  I happily made my selection, stashed my carry-ons and buckled my seat belt in preparation for the flight from Denver to Tucson.  The gal seated next to me was friendly, and we quickly struck up a conversation.

Her name was Nina.  She was Jewish.  And an Atheist.

And I was intrigued.

A spirited but respectful discussion ensued, filling the next two hours, and touching on such light topics as the existence of God, the problem of evil, and the free will of man.  I had the opportunity to share a bit of my story with her and how I had entered into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

She raised this objection:  “If Jesus really was the Messiah, then why didn’t he establish his kingdom and set up his reign on earth?”

It was a valid concern for someone from a Jewish background.  Because Jesus didn’t exactly fit the “Messiah” mold.  Sure, he had caused quite a stir when he healed a bunch of folks.  There was a lot of talk around town that he might be “The One.”  But in the end, he just didn’t live up to all of the hype.  No mighty-ruler-who-will-deliver-us-from-our-oppressors here.

And they stumbled right over Him.

I referred Nina to the passage in Isaiah 53, where a “Suffering Servant,” who sounds remarkably like Jesus, is described.  And shared that, while it is true that He didn’t fulfill all of the Messianic prophecies at His first coming, the story isn’t over yet.  One day He will return to set the world right and establish His kingdom.

She listened attentively, but remained unconvinced.  Soon our flight touched down in the Arizona desert.  Nina and I both agreed that our conversation had been enjoyable and mutually stimulating, and we parted company.  I am praying that she will encounter the Living Christ.

Today I pondered the lyrics of this Christmas song and thought of her.

(You) could’ve come like a mighty storm, with all the strength of a hurricane.  You could’ve come like a forest fire with the power of heaven in your flame.  But you came like a winter snow.  Quiet and soft and slow.  Falling from the sky, in the night, to the earth below.*

It’s true.  The long expected Savior didn’t come as expected.  After all, a Messiah shouldn’t nap in a manger.  A king should wear a robe, not a cross, on his back.

This Christmas, don’t trip over the gift that is hidden in plain sight.

“And blessed is he, to whom I shall not be a stumbling block.” –Jesus, in Luke 7:23

*Lyrics are from “Winter Snow” by Audrey Assad.  Follow this link to a great video of her song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xpHiAmL8-b0