The Promise

"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 cannot read these verses without hearing the music of "The Messiah" written by G. F. Handel. My home community presented this every year on the first Sunday of December. A chorus, made of dedicated musicians, filled the First Methodist Church of Marshalltown. My dad was one of the faithful who sang every year as long as he was able. So it was tradition for our family to attend each year. 

The music tells the story of Jesus Christ and the score includes the "Hallelujah" Chorus. It is sung after Jesus rises from the dead on the third day. Because this music meant so much to our family, we used the "Hallelujah" Chorus at the end of my parents' funerals.

As Christmas approaches, our thoughts turn to the beginning of Christ Jesus' life and we rejoice in His holy birth. But we cannot forget the rest of the story. The reason why Jesus came to Earth, to save us from our sins. What a glorious gift Jesus is. May the meaning of Christmas be filled with the hope that is coming in His birth.

O Lord, thank you for sending us Your Son, to save us from our sins. May our hearts be filled with the true meaning of Christmas this season. Amen.

The Expectant Mother

Mary, dressed in blue with a cloth covering her head, petite, young and lovely...this is how I picture Mary the mother of Jesus. It may be a false image but it's one that has developed by seeing many nativity programs over the years.

The facts from the Bible are that Mary was a virgin. She was highly favored by God and the Lord was with her. Mary was pledged to marry a man named Joseph. She would bear a child - the Messiah, God's promised Savior, God's Son.

Mary willingly accepted the remarkable choice God had made in selecting her, "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said," (Luke 1:38 NIV).

What a brave and trusting girl she was. I've often wondered how Mary endured the doubters' ridicule and even Joseph's questioning thoughts.

If only I could be as brave and trusting as Mary. Imagine how my life might be different.

Let us accept Mary's attitude toward God's directing of our lives and say - "I am the Lord's servant."

Use me, Lord, and let me be open to all that you say. Amen.

The Prophet

"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!" (Luke 1:41-42 NIV).

"When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy," (Luke 1:57-58 NIV).

Zechariah said, "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him," (Luke 1:76 NIV).

The baby Elizabeth was carrying was the future John the Baptist. John came before Jesus to prepare the way for Jesus Christ's ministry, baptizing of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He fulfilled the words of the prophet Isaiah,

"A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation.'" (Luke 3:4-6 NIV).

John the Baptist was a miracle baby, given by God, for a purpose of making the way for Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, also a miracle baby. The prophet was foretold in the prophet Isaiah's writing in Isaiah 40:3-5. 

I love the way God wove these two women's stories together. It is also wonderful how God weaves lives together yet today. Rejoice for the prophet who led the way for Jesus! Rejoice for the coming of Jesus' birth. Rejoice!

The Sign

"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).

 Advent is a time of waiting patiently for what we hope for: baby Jesus, the promised One, a Savior. As a child there is so much excitement during this season. Presents are under the tree. There are bright lights and shiny bows, nativity sets and tinsel. All the senses are sharpened as Christmas Day draws near. The fragrance of a pine tree or cookies baking in the oven fills the air. Christmas music plays in the background.  The touch of special ornaments as they are hung on the tree and the taste of peppermint candy canes is on the lips and tongue. Christmas is coming.

Although as believers we know we are saved by Jesus Christ, yet Paul writes in Romans that salvation is past, present and the future. My NIV Life Application Study Bible explains Romans 8:24-25 that we were saved at the moment we believed in Jesus Christ as our Savior (the past), and we are being saved through the process of sanctification (the present), and one day our salvation will be complete when we are made pure as Jesus Christ (the future).

"But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently," (Romans 8:24b-25 NIV).

Christmas is coming. Let us watch for the sign and see it coming. Let us rejoice in the salvation that Jesus Christ brought into this world, gives to this world, and will give to all believers in the future when He comes again. Amen.

The Stars

I like to look at the stars and the moon at night. The moon has been especially bright on these cold, clear nights. The stars are hard to take a picture of, I've found. But, there are nights when the stars sparkle and glimmer so brightly. I love those nights.

"Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing," (Isaiah 40:26 NIV).

Looking at the stars brings God closer to me. I remember whose Kingdom I belong to and I am so blessed to have such a creative and loving God. We are blessed to have lights in the night sky that show us whose we are. Our only way of estimating an image of our God is to view all He has done for us and try to imagine, with our limited perspective, how great our God is! It is impossible to picture Him and imagine Him with any sense of reality but He is our God, so big and powerful and majestic and just. He has no limitations, no boundaries to hold Him back. God is so so good!

Next time we look at the night sky and pause with amazement at all God has done, let us give God some thanks for all He has created. Stare at the night lights and soak up God's beauty. Take time to give God glory. Remember the purpose of the stars as we enter the Advent season. The stars guided the shepherds and the wise men to the home of baby Jesus. 

Thank you, God, for the stars.

Thankful For Advent

 All of a sudden it is a new season; the season of Advent is here. I needed a little transition time to adjust so I took down the Thanksgiving decorations before putting up the Christmas tree, I do love the Christmas season but this year is different. With COVID-19 life is strange so Christmas will feel strange, too.

We often jump from our plates of Thanksgiving dinner to Black Friday shopping without thinking what the season is all about - Jesus' birth. Though I never have gone shopping on Black Friday it seems like the rest of the world was all excited about it. Perhaps more of the shopping was done online this year. We did all our shopping online this year and are almost finished, We have two large boxes ready to ship to Virginia this week.

We are entering the Advent season and our minds need to focus on the Christmas story. I love reading the Christmas story to my grandchildren, though it doesn't always happen. The reason Jesus came to bless us with His life is because God wanted to send His Son to teach us about Himself and to save us from our sins. The little baby in the manger becomes the Savior of the world. What a joyous beginning for us!

The scripture from Isaiah 40 leads us gently to Bethlehem.

Desert walk in Sedona, AZ 2012

"A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."" (Isaiah 40:3-5 NIV).

Advent is a time of clearing a path for Jesus Christ to enter our hearts. May we keep Him there all season. Even while we do the usual tasks of Christmas, let us remember to keep Jesus in our hearts. May you be blessed this Advent season and be thankful.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

 It is a different kind of Thanksgiving for us today. We are observing Thanksgiving alone because we felt it was best for our family during this time of so much COVID. It doesn't feel right but yet it is the right thing to do for us. 

I hope that all who gather together will remain safe and healthy. I wish all who aren't getting together with family or friends a peaceful day, filled with gratitude for previous gatherings and anticipation of future times of pleasure. 

Thanksgiving 2017

We will have a turkey and maybe even a pumpkin pie but I'm skipping all the sides for just the two of us. We will enjoy some football games on television and a Zoom gathering with some of the grandchildren. 

It will be a day of giving thanks for all that we have: our family, our friends, our faith, our home and food on the table, in the refrigerator, the freezer, and the pantry. We have so much to be thankful for, how can we be sad. We are blessed beyond measure.

"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song," (Psalm 95:1-2 NIV).

May God bless your day with gladness and gratitude. May being apart make your thanksgiving more special than ever before. May being together make your heart burst with joy. God bless you all this Thanksgiving!