Seeking Jesus Part 2

“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.” Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed,” (Matthew 2:1-2, 7-10 NIV).

As the Wise Men followed the star, seeking, the light shown down on a house. There they saw the baby with His mother Mary. The Magi bowed down and worshiped the Savior. One of the Magi gave a gift of gold, another gave frankincense, and another Magi gave myrrh. Their treasures were gifts worthy of the king. 

In their dreams they were warned not to go back to Herod so they returned to their country by a different route. All the way home they must have been rejoicing with all their hearts, for they sought and found the blessed Savior of the World.

We still seek the Lord, constantly searching for the strength and love He offers His followers. He rules the world with His mercy and grace. Let us keep seeking Him each day. 

Wise men and women still seek Jesus.

Seeking Jesus Part 1

“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 is a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger,”” (Luke 2:8-12 NIV).

I love this part of the Christmas story. Knowing me, you aren’t surprised to see it involves sheep. Many times I have imagined being one of the shepherds on a hillside watching over my sheep. Suddenly, the angel appears and the whole night changes! It is not to bring fear, but to bring joy to all people. Everyone. You and me and our neighbors. It is time to behold the wonder of a baby king born in a humble stable. Lovingly swaddled and resting in a manger; what a precious picture we are given! 

Once the angels left earth and returned to heaven, the shepherds immediately decided to go to Bethlehem and seek baby Jesus. Did they leave their sheep behind or did the whole flock travel with them? Did the sheep baa their welcome to the King of Kings? It was just a silent night until the angels came. Now the whole of nature seemed to shout out with joy. 

Perhaps they walked a great distance; perhaps it was not too far. Together they searched and found the Holy Child, just as the angels said. They bowed down and worshipped their Lord, Immanuel, God With Us. 

Can you imagine the excitement? What an honor for humble shepherds to be witnesses to the Holy Heavenly Baby. The lowest of laborers were asked to travel to welcome the King who came from heaven to earth. They celebrated with joy and praise, glorifying God and cherishing everything they had seen in their hearts, while shouting out the news to all who would listen.

One silent night that left the world forever changed.

Christ Is Born

When I think about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem, a city full of people returning for the census, I'm in awe. Streets bustling with donkeys and maybe camels, too. Stop and go traffic, as they waited for room to move ahead. Finally they found an inn but it was already full.

Mary is in labor, perhaps, or nearly so. Anxious and nervous about giving birth, and now they had no place to rest. A stable out back will do. Graciously they accepted the inn keeper's offer and joined the animals. Hopefully there was plenty of hay to cushion the stony stable. Bravely Mary gave birth with Joseph. Did he help? Would he know what to do? A couple of teenagers on their first trip and now the baby arrives!

Mary was prepared, and wrapped the holy child in cloths, swaddling him, and gently placing him in the manger. Baby Jesus has arrived and there is a star overhead. The earth has changed and the King of Kings has arrived, Savior of the world, Christ the Lord, Jesus. Everything has changed. There is hope for the world. Salvation has come for us all. Hallelujah!

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn," (Luke 2:6-7 NIV).

As you celebrate the birth of our Savior this week, may you remember that Jesus came for you. He came to bring you salvation and all you must do is believe in Him as your personal Savior. Blessings and love to you all this Christmas.

For Unto Us

"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, 

Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." (Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV).

I love these verses. I love the enthusiasm of the Lord. I love that God's plan becomes reality and that Scripture reveals the whole story. 

"For unto us" - the whole plan is for us, God's children, His beloved ones who worship Him. Each one is worthy if only they choose to believe. 

"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" - how majestic and honored is the One who comes! How exciting to know He comes for us. 

"Of his government and peace there will be no end" - Eternally He oversees all that is happening and there is no reason to fret or fear.

"He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom" - He is in control of all things. He will be our King for evermore and rule with peace and grace.

"Establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness" - He is the Creator and Judge and abides with righteousness for all time. 

"The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this" - The blessing of the Son of Man, Son of God, comes as the result of God's enthusiastic devotion to His Great Plan and Goal. Zeal, excitement, wonder, delight! God's Son is coming, rejoice! 

Rejoice!

Traveling Home

I always lived a short car ride from my grandparents while I was growing up so we never had to make a long distance trip to see them. My grandfather was in a nursing home and his wife lived in a house one town away. She made fudge at Christmas time. My paternal grandmother was a widow and lived in the town near our farm. I don't remember Christmas at her house but she joined in our family gatherings for the holidays.

My study Bible suggests that the trip for Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem was about 70 miles. That is more than an hour in cars these days. Imagine making the trip on foot and with a donkey to ride. There were probably many people on the same roads, all trying to reach their own tax paying station. Rush-day traffic, congestion, greeting others along the way.

It was all God's will.

"And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child," (Luke 2:3-5 NIV).

What an inconvenient time to have to travel! And then there was no where for them to stay. An inn keeper took pity on the couple and they had to rest in the barn or cave out back! All of this was in God's plan, prophesied years ago by Micah.

Sometimes I wish I could see God's plan. I wonder what is ahead and how my past fits into the total picture of my life. It must be a puzzle with each piece fitting into the whole. I'm glad God has a plan for me and for you.

May today be blessed richly with God's love and protection as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Savior. Amen.

Sing From Your Heart

"Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ," (Ephesians 5:19 MSG).

I can't think about Christmas without considering the power of music this season. From the Christmas carols playing in stores to lure you into spending money, to the magnificent choruses of Handel's The Messiah; there is music for everyone this season. And every bit of it can touch your heart.

From the time I could talk, Christmas caroling became part of my family's tradition every December. Dad led a group of church members on a trail ride through the country side stopping at all the shut-ins homes and gathering at the door to sing a set of Christmas carols ending with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". A plate of homemade cookies from the church women topped off the visit.

The complete repertoire of Christmas carols was at hand, depending on who thought of a song first or if the shut-in had a favorite. More than once eyes were filled with tears as we sang. "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", "O Come, All Ye Faithful", "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear", "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing", "The First Noel", "Away in a Manger", "Go, Tell It on the Mountain", "Silent Night", "Joy to the World", "O Little Town of Bethlehem".

My house is filled with Christmas music especially when I'm baking cookies or decorating the house. My heart feels light and my soul feels happy and sometimes I sing along - even though my tone and key may be off, the joy that flows blankets the sound I make.

For more years than I can count, the Christmas program wasn't complete without my father singing, "O Holy Night", often accompanied by my mother. The Christmas season is meant for music. Music stirs the heart, sometimes with sadness, during times of loss, but also with joy for the arrival of our blessed Savior, Jesus Christ.

It is my prayer that music brings you joy this season and that your heart sings with praises to God for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Joseph’s Dream

“Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him 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 1:19-21 NIV). 

What a heart-heavy burden Joseph must have felt as he went to bed that night. The young woman he cared about was pregnant. He wasn’t the father. That makes for a sleepless night. How could this be? What do I do? She is such a nice girl. There will be such scandal. Lord, what should I do?

Thoughts. A mind-full of thoughts. Tossing and turning. Finally, sleep. Then, answers came.

God sent the rest of the story to Joseph through an angel in a dream. Information that probably made the rest of the night go by quickly. More thoughts: It’s true. It must be true. It is just how Mary explained it. How can I be a father to the Savior of the world? I’m a carpenter. Oh Lord, I’m so humbled. You even want me to name Him, Jesus. He will save His people from their sins! What a life we have ahead. Oh, God, give me the grace to do my job for You.

What is God’s dream for you this Christmas season? 

May it bring glory to God on High! Amen!

Signs

Thus begins a season brought forth by signs. Heavenly signs. Signs predicted centuries ago but remembered as important. Signs that reveal the Christmas story: the story of Jesus Christ our Savior coming to earth.

What a blessing signs are. A rainbow. A star. A nativity. An octagon in red. A stable. A manger. Baby Jesus. A wreath on the front door. A turning signal blinking. White lights on the back of a vehicle. A hand held up. There are many others, all meaning something unique.

When the neighbors have their house lighting installed in October it doesn't matter that Halloween or Thanksgiving are still coming, that house is ready for Christmas. Others see the sign but wait until after Thanksgiving to turn on their own. I wouldn't mind if folks left their lights up all year round, if it was for the right reason. If they were representing the birth of Jesus Christ. I remember when we had many more servicemen and servicewomen deployed over seas there would be some who would leave their Christmas tree up until the serviceperson returned home.

As we move through the Advent season let's keep our eyes and ears open for signs of the coming Christ Child. Feel the excitement of discovery when you see a sign. Let it change your attitude and bring you joy.

"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).

Out of Mayhem

We are entertained by the "Mayhem" commercials for insurance. A worse-for-wear fellow enjoys his role as the troublemaker in a variety of incidents that can happen to car and house owners. He steals a car and runs over the mailbox; he is a tailgater tailgating to get to his tailgating; he is the cat that runs wild in the house; the dog in the moving car, attempting to distract the driver; and most recently he is the elf on the shelf that is too heavy. Besides entertaining us, the commercials show that the company realizes bad things do happen by accident.

Sometimes life is unpredictable. Things go wrong. For the Israelites bad things had been happening for centuries, but in their hope was the coming of a Savior. They knew all about Him but would they recognize the Holy One when He arrived as a baby?

As the season of Christ Jesus' birth arrives, let us be filled with anticipation, hope, and joy, for Immanuel "God With Us" is coming. We know He is already with us, daily walking with us, but for this season we anticipate His birthday with rejoicing and celebrate the wonderful day of His birth.

What does your celebration include that reminds you of Jesus? Do you make Jesus a birthday cake as I did when our boys were little? Do you set out nativity scenes? Do you hang only sheep on the Christmas tree to remember the shepherds? These are a few of the things I do to keep my mind focused on Jesus.

I love the Old Testament references to Jesus birth and His life, so I plan to reread some of those verses interspersed with the New Testament Christmas stories. Another of my favorite Christmas activities is hearing Handel's Messiah, on tape or in person throughout the Christmas season.

Micah predicts hundreds of years before Christ's birth,

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times," (Micah 5:2 NIV).

Jesus is coming.