Grace Across Borders: Biblical Lessons and Global Legends

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
— Mark Twain

It was Sunday night, and I was sitting in bed—anxious, refreshing my screen to see if my final paper had been graded, while a movie played in the background. I wasn’t really watching it, but suddenly the words appeared on the television screen.

Mark Twain’s quote.

The day you were born. The day you find out why.

It stopped me. Something in my spirit shifted. I closed the grading page, opened my laptop, and began to type. And as often happens when I write from that place of honesty, my thoughts led me straight back to Jesus.

Maybe it’s because it’s Christmas season and the world reminds us—again—that Jesus was born. Tradition says December 25. I don’t personally believe that was the exact date, and I’m not here to debate it. It would have been far too cold to be outside, much less giving birth. But I digress.

The date isn’t the point.

The birth is. HIS BIRTH.

Because if Jesus was not born, how could He have died? How could He have risen from the grave on the third day? And how could He have promised to prepare a place for me and you?

Jesus

Jesus’ birth was not a moment of chance—it was fulfillment.

Scripture tells us that His coming was intentional, ordained, and rooted in God’s redemptive plan long before Bethlehem.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law.”
— Galatians 4:4–5

Jesus was born with clarity of purpose. He did not come to discover who He was; He came knowing exactly why He was sent.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
— Luke 19:10

The prophets foretold not only His birth, but His suffering.

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter…”
— Isaiah 53:7

And Jesus Himself affirmed that His life was an offering, not an accident.

“No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord.”
— John 10:18

He was born to give His life so that we might receive ours.

“I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.”
— John 10:10

Jesus knew His why.
And He fulfilled it in obedience, love, and sacrifice.

Folklore

In folklore, purpose is often hidden at birth.

The hero grows unaware of who they are meant to become. They struggle, doubt, wander, and resist until time and trials reveal their destiny.

The forgotten heir.
The reluctant warrior.
The chosen one who doesn’t yet believe.

But Jesus’ story stands apart from folklore.

He did not stumble into purpose—He stepped into it. He did not resist His calling—He surrendered to the Father’s will. His crown was not gold but thorns. His throne was not a palace, but a cross.

Where folklore celebrates self-discovery, Christ reveals divine obedience.

Reflection

Today is Wednesday.

As I prepare to post this blog, my final grade is in.

I had nothing to be anxious about—just as Professor Moore always says.

Three schools.
Five classes.
Five A’s.

And a deep, grateful sigh of relief.

But I know this truth: it was never just about grades.

It was the grace of God that sustained me.
It was sleepless nights strengthened by prayer.
It was an understanding, praying, and extremely supportive family who carried me when I was tired.

And in this moment of relief, Scripture steadies me:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
— Proverbs 3:5

I may not fully see the whole picture yet, but I trust the One who does.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
— Ephesians 2:10

Jesus knew why He was born.

And even as I continue to walk into my own calling, I know this: my life is not random, my efforts are not unseen, and God’s grace is not wasted on me.

I will keep walking.
I will keep trusting.
And I will live in a way that honors the sacrifice already made—confident that God is faithful to finish what He has begun.

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”
— Philippians 1:6

Closing Prayer

Gracious God,
We thank You for sending Your Son at the appointed time—
born with purpose, obedient unto death,
so that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

In seasons of waiting, uncertainty, and quiet anxiety,
remind us that our lives are not random and our labor is not unseen.
When we do not yet understand our why,
help us to trust the One who does.

Your Word tells us that we are Your workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works You prepared beforehand.
Give us courage to walk faithfully into what You have already ordained,
even when the path is still unfolding.

Let our lives be a response to the cross.
Let our obedience honor Christ’s sacrifice.
And let nothing Jesus endured for us be wasted in how we live.

We trust You to complete the good work You have begun in us,
and we place our purpose, our progress, and our future in Your hands.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Tonight, because of the season, I spoke with neighbors I rarely see, and we talked not about dates, but about the purpose of His birth—choosing presence and witness over debate, and refusing to miss the message we are called to share.

Happy Holidays! & Merry Christmas!