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Posted on December 17, 2003 ...

One hundred years ago this week two bicycle-making brothers flew a simple gasoline-powered airplane, ushering in the beginning of powered flight. Orville Wright took off and flew for 12 seconds. That same day, Wilbur piloted the plane for 59 seconds. Thus, in a little spot along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, near Kitty Hawk, the course of history changed.

Few events have provided such an impact on the way our world functions. Today, thousands of people routinely travel from continent to continent aboard airliners. Common people can witness corners of the globe that were accessible only to elite explorers. Air flight has made our world seem much smaller and much more connected. Bill Gates said, The airplane became the first World Wide Web, bringing people, languages, ideas, and values together.

Indeed, December 17, 1903 is one of the significant dates in history. But on that day, only a handful of people knew and understood what had taken place. Kitty Hawk, North Carolina was a small, isolated fishing village. Who would think that anything noteworthy could come from there? Still others heard the news but missed it’s importance. After the success of their first flights, Orville and Wilbur telegraphed this message to their family: We’ve actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas. A story says that, when the editor of the local newspaper saw the message, he glanced at it and said, How nice, the boys will be home for Christmas. It is only in looking back that we see the importance of this event.

About 2000 years ago, in a forgotten little place called Bethlehem, an even greater event occurred that changed the course of history: God was born in the form of a baby. But at the moment, few people grasped what had occurred. In fact, news of the birth was shared only to a handful of rag-tag shepherds.

Today, however, the birth of Jesus is celebrated by followers around the world. The message of Christianity impacts much of the world’s lifestyle and eternal destiny. No single life has influenced life on this planet more than His. Yet, it is only in looking back that we see the importance of His birth.

Celebrate His birth with the shepherds this Sunday. Jay