Endings and Beginnings

New Year's Eve blessings to you all. Will you celebrate with bubbly champagne and noisemakers? Music and dancing? By watching the Waterford Crystal ball drop as 2019 arrives?

Midnight is past my bedtime so I will probably be sleeping when all the excitement of a new year arrives. It will come and go without my noticing. My traditional activity for the end of the year is to fill out my calendar for the new year. I transfer birthdays and appointments to the crisp clean pages of 2019. It is my way of saying goodbye to all that happened in 2018 and think ahead to the days of the coming year. Life moves so quickly now that I am old.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him," (Ecclesiastes 3:11-14 NIV).

Each day holds its own beauty. There are moments to cherish in each hour of the day. There are memories to reflect on and new events approaching to consider. Time ticks on. Minutes come and go. Life passes before our eyes. God is present in every instant.

As I pause to pray on this New Year's Eve, I thank God for His presence and protection throughout the year and ask Him for guidance, grace and strength for the coming year. May you be blessed by God's love and mercy in 2019. Amen.

The Star Over Bethlehem

I love to gaze at the sky with wonderment. I remember walking down to the mailbox in the dark of night when we lived on our acreage and all the way back to the house I searched the sky for constellations. They were awesome and bright against the black sky and I could easily find many star formations and occasionally a bright star that I could have tried to follow. I doubt anything I have seen would compare to the beaconing of the star seen by the wise men of the Christmas story shared in Matthew.

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel." (Matthew 2:1-6 NIV).

I love the persistence of the Magi who came to follow the star. They were wise to proceed in following the star across the sky to the place where Jesus was born. And even wiser to avoid Herod when they returned.

"...the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream, not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route," (Matthew 9b-12 NIV).

The Christmas hymn, "As with Gladness Men of Old" tells this story in song. It was written by Conrad Kocher in 1838 and William C. Dix in 1858:

"As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold; As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bright, So, most gracious Lord, may we Evermore be led to Thee. As with joyful steps they sped, To that lowly manger bed, There to bend the knee before Him Whom heaven and earth adore, So, may we with willing feet Ever seek the mercy seat. As they offered gifts most rare At that manger rude and bare, So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sin's alloy, All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee our heavenly King. Holy Jesus, every day Keep us in the narrow way; And when earthly things are past, Bring our ransomed souls at last Where they need no star to guide, Where no clouds Thy glory hide. Amen."

The song also speaks to us today, reminders that we are to seek the narrow way, the Lord's way, and someday we will see heaven without stars to guide us and without clouds to hide us.

May your day be blessed by heavenly sights and sounds, reminders of our Lord's earthly birth that was for our salvation.

Christ the Savior Is Born on This Holy Night!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace," (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).

Isaiah prophesied with such accuracy and exuberance, you would think he was there. But, God gave him a vision of what was to come. The long awaited Savior of the world would come as an infant, born in a stable to a virgin mother, announced by angels, visited by shepherds, and worshiped by wise men. Today the excitement culminates with a resounding Amen! All of our hopes and dreams become reality as the baby is born in Bethlehem.

"The shepherds found Mary, Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. They were amazed and rejoiced, worshiping the tiny King. Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. On their way home they told everyone they met what they had been told about this child, and all who heard were amazed! The shepherds continued their journey glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told," (Luke 2:16-20 NIV, paraphrased).

The beloved Christmas carol, "Silent Night! Holy Night!" was written by Joseph Mohr, and Franz Grijber in 1818. It is perhaps the most familiar carol in all the world. Ponder the words and the story it tells as you sing along:

"Silent night! holy night! All is calm, all is bright; Round yon virgin mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven a far, Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night! holy night! Son of God, love's pure light, Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at They birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. Amen."

No longer must we cower in a corner because of our sins. Jesus, our Savior is born! May you worship Immanuel, the Son born of a virgin, delivered in a stable. For unto us is born our Savior! The One who has been waited for; the One who has been promised! The precious One who saves us from our sins and gives us a bridge to The God of Glory. Hallelujah! The birth of This baby allows us to worship God as if we were perfect, like Jesus. We are cleansed of our sins by His sacrifice on the cross. Baby Jesus brings grace, redeeming grace. Keep following the story in the Word for there is more to hear. His birth is just the beginning!

May you celebrate a very Merry Christmas.

Lowly Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

Sheep and shepherds. My favorite Christmas time subject. I love sheep and shepherds. There they were out on a hillside watching their flocks and all of a sudden an angel appeared. They were afraid but in an instant the angel spoke to them GREAT news of joy! The angel explained about the birth of a Savior in Bethlehem! It was wonderful news that would cause the shepherds to pick up their crooks and travel to the city. And they were the first to hear the great news. It wasn't a king or a rich land owner, the angel came to the shepherds - lowly, uneducated, unclean, smelly, without a real home, always on the move. But the shepherds were attentive, protective, caregivers to their sheep, and familiar with the land around them. How appropriate, how ironic, that the Savior of the world would be announced to the shepherds! God come down to be a human baby born in a stable was introduced first to the sheep keepers.

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another. "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about," (Luke 2:8-15 NIV).

I love the image of shepherds on a quiet hillside in the dark suddenly awakened by the brilliance of an angel arriving to celebrate the Lord's birth! A fireworks show just for the lowly shepherds! Magnificence and grandeur fit for a true King, shared with the guardians of the sheep. It is a scene fit for music. A song written by Nahum Tate in 1700 with music by George Frederick Handel in 1728 tells the story beautifully:

 "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks"

"While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around, And glory shone around. 

"Fear not!" said he; for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind, "Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind, To you and all mankind. 

"To you, in David's town this day, Is born of David's line, The Savior who is Christ the Lord, And this shall be the sign; And this shall be the sign: 

"The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid; And in a manger laid. 

"All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace: Good will hence-forth from heav'n to men, Begin and never cease, Begin and never cease." Amen.

May you feel the excitement of the shepherds as you anticipate the anniversary of our Savior's birth on Christmas Day.

The Angels Sing

Angels have always puzzled me. I know they visited people in the Bible when something important was happening. But I never felt an angel was part of my world. I often relate angels with death and heaven. I'm not sure why. But, for that reason, I guess, I don't turn to an angel as my rescue or protector, I turn to God and Jesus. But today I want to focus on the angel who visited Mary to tell her what God planned for her.

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to let Mary know she was highly favored and the Lord was with her (Luke 1:28). Gabriel told Mary not to be afraid. So I guess she hadn't seen an angel in person before. Gabriel explained everything to Mary who must have been in shock to hear such amazing things. Yet, Mary was gracious and trusted in her God to guide her. When she asked the angel how all this could be, he answered,

"The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God,'" (Luke 1:35-37 NIV).

Wow. Talk about being blown away! This was amazing stuff. Mary found herself in the middle of God's plan to save the world. No wonder Christmas songs say the angels sang! Wonder! Excitement! What wonderful joy to experience! But, Elizabeth, Mary's relative, says it best,

"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (Luke 1:45 NIV).

The Christmas carol, It Came upon the Midnight Clear was written by Edmund H. Sears in 1849 and Richard S. Willis in 1850. It has four flats so maybe it isn't as commonly played as others we hear but it has a lot to say about angels. Enjoy.

It Came upon the Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold; "Peace on the earth, goodwill to men, From heaven's all gracious King" 
The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come, With peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heavenly music floats O're all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing: And ever o'er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing. 

And ye, beneath life's crushing load, Whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow, Look now! for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing; O rest beside the weary road, And hear the angels sing.

For lo, the days are hastening on, By prophet seen of old, When, with the ever circling years, Shall come the time foretold, When the  new heaven and earth shall own The Prince of Peace their King, And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing.

I pray the angel songs can lift us up today as we draw closer to the birth of our Savior.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Christmas music is a blessing to me this time of year. If I need to feel the Christmas spirit I play my Christmas CD's as loud as John can stand and instantly I feel like wrapping gifts, or baking cookies, or completing whatever task is at hand. Music speaks to me. My car radio is always tuned to the local Christian station (107.1) where they play a mix of Christmas with other contemporary Christian music. During this season they play all Christmas music on the weekends. I still have 101.9 saved for when I drive north of Des Moines. I'm sure you can find a Christian station in your area, too.

As we draw closer to the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the anticipation grows. One traditional hymn of Christmas is "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," a Latin hymn translated by John M. Neale in 1851, with music by Thomas Helmore, 1854. It is a beautiful Christmas carol that has been sung for more than 167 years. I encourage you to read the words below and truly see the hope that the hymn speaks of - the arrival of the Son of God and heavenly peace.

"O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny; From depths of hell Thy people save And give them victory o'er the grave. O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here; And drive away the shades of night, And pierce the clouds and bring us light! O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. O come, Desire of nations, bind All peoples in one heart and mind; Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease; Fill all the world with heaven's peace. Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! Amen."

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel," (Isaiah 7:14 NIV).

May this Christmas carol ring repeatedly throughout our day, reminding us of the reason we celebrate Christmas Day.

God came as a baby to save us from our sins, to bring light into the world, to lead us to heaven, and to bring peace,

O Come, Baby Jesus, Come.

Joseph's Choice

Joseph had a choice to make. Mary was pledged to marry him but she was with child through the Holy Spirit. As it says in Matthew 1:19, Joseph was a righteous man and he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly; "It was on his mind to divorce her quietly."

Something major happens next. An angel of  the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins," (Matthew 1:20-21 NIV).

Don't overlook the last sentence of this scripture. Joseph was to name his son, Jesus, just as any father would name a child. But, look at what the angel tells Joseph his son would do: Jesus will save his people from their sins! Every Jewish boy had been taught that a king was coming in the future who would save the people. Now, Joseph was part of this wonderful prophecy.

Michael Card is a contemporary Christian musician and song writer whose work I have enjoyed for many years. He has a way of turning a story into a song, like no other artist. One of my favorite songs he wrote is, Joseph's Song. To hear it sung is a true delight, but to read the words will give you Card's version of the story from Joseph's perspective.

"How could it be this baby in my arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be?

Lord, I know He's not my own
Not of my flesh, not of my bone
Still Father let this baby be
The son of my love

Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God
Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king, how can I raise a king?

He looks so small, His face and hands so fair
And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear
But when He laughs it shines again
How could it be?

Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God
Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king, how can I raise a king?

How could it be this baby in my arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be? How could it be?"

by Michael Card

As we move through this Advent season, filled with wonder and delight, let us remember the reason Jesus came to earth as a baby: "because he will save his people from their sins," (Matthew 1:21b NIV). Joseph made the right choice. Once he learned that Mary had not been unfaithful, he obeyed God and married Mary. He didn't worry about what other people would think. Joseph trusted in God's plan for Jesus, and Mary and himself. We too, have a choice to make: Jesus as our Savior.

Jesus comes as a baby bringing God's Grace.

Mary's Favor

Every time I read the story of Mary and angel Gabriel I try to imagine what it must have been like. A very young woman of Nazareth, a virgin, finds out she is to bear a child. But, not any child, Jesus, the Son of the Most High, the Son of God! No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to put myself in such an honored position.

Mary had to be very special. Twice, Gabriel calls her "highly favored" by God. Mary was no ordinary girl from Iowa. Her entire young life must have been dedicated to God's service. She was worthy of being chosen by God for this holy endeavor. Yet, Mary wondered how this could happen to her, a virgin.

"The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God...For nothing is impossible with God," (Luke 1:35-37 NIV).

What faith Mary had to respond, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said," (Luke 1:38 NIV)!

There was only one Mary, mother of Jesus. She was truly honored to be the vessel through which God Himself came to earth, to walk with us, to teach us, to show us the way to salvation through Him. Only one mother of Jesus suffered the loss of her Son by crucifixion on the cross, so that we might have eternal life with God in heaven. Only Mary received favor that led to such a painful burden of loss, until He rose again. Such joy, such heartache, such favor.

"O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth, The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight. 

For Christ is born of Mary, And gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love, O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth! And praises sing to God the King, And peace to men on earth. 

How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still The dear Christ enters in. 

O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in; Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel." (O Little Town of Bethlehem, Phillips Brooks, 1868, and Lewis H. Redner, 1868).

May we anticipate the arrival of our Lord, Emmanuel, Christ Jesus, Savior of the World, with song in our hearts. May You abide in us today, we pray. Amen.

A Prayer Answered

Think about what you have prayed for during your lifetime. What if God answered one of the desires of your heart today! How would it change you?

Elizabeth and Zechariah were good and faithful believers. Yet, they were barren.

After many years of life together, Elizabeth and Zechariah grew old together. Zechariah was a priest and was on duty at the temple. Chosen by lot, Zechariah was to burn the incense in the temple this day. When he approached the altar, angels appeared to him and told him that his prayer had been heard by God. Elizabeth would bear a son and he would be named John. He would bring great joy to the family because he would prepare the way for the Lord.

Like most of us in our later years might be, Zechariah was in disbelief. He wondered how this could be possible, instead of trusting in the all-powerful God. Because of his disbelief, he was made unable to speak. Elizabeth indeed became pregnant and awaited this miraculous birth. Elizabeth rejoiced in her state of being and was thrilled that she would no longer be shunned as barren.

"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people," (Luke 1:25 NIV).

Even when things seem impossible to us, with God, nothing is impossible. Our wildest dreams, or deepest desires, our heart cries and our physical needs; all can be made possible by God.

"Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible," (Matthew 19:26 NIV).

This season of making ready for Christmas is filled with anticipation and wonder. Let us focus on the wonders of the Bible so we can experience a far greater Christmas season than ever before. A prayer is answered and a baby boy named John will lead the way for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Rejoice, our Savior is coming! Rejoice!