THE WORK OF CHRISTMAS

 

DECEMBER 29, 2023

Luke 4:18-19

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

 

When I use the words, the work of Christmas, what do you think of?

Maybe you think the work of Christmas is all the preparations and the energy that you put into trying to create the perfect Christmas experience for your family and your friends. Perhaps the work of Christmas for you is finding the perfect Christmas tree, or centerpiece for the Christmas dinner table. The work of Christmas might be untangling the tree lights, for you. Is the work of Christmas for you, the search for that perfect gift for your wife, husband, son, daughter, or mom and dad. For some, the work of Christmas maybe maintaining a joyful and expectant spirit in a season of grief, sorrow, sadness and an emptiness of heart. When I use the words the work of Christmas, what do you think of?

 

Howard Thurman, published a poem called The Work of Christmas which goes like this:

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among others,

To make music in the heart.

 

The Poem's work of Christmas, is based in the Gospel of Jesus Christ:  “…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)

The focus of the Bible is not on what cannot be accomplished. (Which can be my focus at times) The Bible’s focus is just the opposite. Jesus taught “…all things are possible for the one who believes.”  (Mark 9:23). Paul wrote “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

Repeatedly the Bible reveals that God is a can-do God: “God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!”  (Ephesians 3:20, The Message). 

Let’s be honest, individually, alone we can’t accomplish much of the things we are called to do. However, as a part of the body of Christ, the Community of Jesus, we can do much together.

The work of Christmas requires an attitude that with God, we can do what God calls us to do. The work of Christmas, because it is the work of Jesus, becomes for us a lifelong Christian calling. It begins by caring about the things Jesus cared about. Truly, We CAN do all things through CHRIST who strengthens US.

 

Luke 1:37

"For nothing is impossible with God."

 

Isaiah 60:1

"Arise, … Let your light shine for all to see."

 

GIFT RECEIVED

 

DECEMBER 28, 2023

Ephesians 2:8


“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”

 

Over this Advent and Christmas season I have been doing some reflection on what the Bible is asking of me, or teaching me through the readings from Isaiah, Matthew and Luke. What I began to see was that these much-loved narratives in the Gospel’s invite us to be receivers. Now I know, that seems a bit contradictory to how we mostly respond to the Christmas message. The strong emphasis on giving and generosity is the focus.

Think of the last month in our congregation, we did a lot of giving, served free community meals, held a Community Food Drive for our local food bank, we transformed a bare tree in our entry into this colorful Mitten tree for children in our area, some of you baked cookies that we were able to share with over 40 families, and our GEMS club gave the gift of time and song to carol in our neighborhood, with all of that we still gave our financial offerings in support of our church. This is an amazing testimony to biblical motto of “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”  

What I have been wondering though, is if a greater emphasis ought to be placed on our being receivers. Reread the Matthew and Luke accounts and I believe you will notice, that the message of being receivers is boldly taught. The texts seem to go to great lengths to demonstrate that our power, talents, our capabilities, had little to do with what God was up to in Jesus’ birth.

 Commentator and Preacher Will Willimon puts it this way,

 “God wanted to do something so strange, so utterly beyond the bounds of imagination that God had to result to the strangest of means, a pregnant virgin and angels and stars in the sky to get it done.”

What I see in all the characters, all the manger people, is that all they could do was receive the amazing gift that God gave to them. It is the same for us, isn’t it? With Mary don't we respond with I am the Lord’s servant,” ... May it be to me as you have said"?

What I am trying to say is that the faith that results from such a story as the birth in Bethlehem is guidance in how to be a receiver. A recipient of what you may ask. Grace, the unearned, unmerited gift that God gives. What did the angels sing? “Glory to God in the highest and peace to those on whom his favor, (grace and goodwill) rests.

Generosity is important, we get that from God’s word and God’s action toward us in Jesus. But, receiving is equally important, and is biblical too. God comes to us and blesses us with a baby, and then invites us to see ourselves for who we really are, empty-handed recipients of a gracious God who, rather than leave us to our own devices, gave us a life transforming  gift.

2 Corinthians 9:15


“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

 

 

IT'S ALL ABOUT GRACE

 

December 27, 2023

 

Titus 2:11

 

11For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

“For the grace of God has appeared, that offers salvation to all.” In this one verse we find a summary of the Christmas story. The Christmas Story is really at its foundation the story of God’s grace. This verse in Titus, instructs us that the event of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is all about grace. God’s grace makes its appearance in Jesus Christ.

The appearance of grace has its purpose in the salvation of “all people.” New Testament writer Beverley Gaventa reminds us that “All people” includes sinner and penitent, persecutor and persecuted, “insiders” and “outsiders” of every type.” The point is God’s saving grace knows no limits.

Grace teaches all of us Jesus followers to wait for “the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:13–14). This is a summary of Christian confidence in the future and reminds us that our celebration of Christmas, the first advent of God’s grace in Jesus Christ, is also a celebration of the promised second advent as well.

This grace first appears in the little town of Bethlehem, but this grace intends to impact the world. God’s grace comes to Mary and Joseph in a manger, is seen by Israel and the shepherds, and it is proclaimed to the wise men and to all nations. Christmas comes as the kindness and mercy of God is extended to the whole earth, for all who believe.

Let us worship Him today with a more recent song (see below), that has become a favourite of mine, as the song writer reminds us of the outcome of the birth of “our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

https://youtu.be/FiGnsqhQ6fU 

ADORATION

 DECEMBER 26, 2023

 

Colossians 1:19-20

¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

 

Christmas is about hope, a hope given to humankind at the birth of Jesus that inhabits the whole world. A favourite Christmas Hymn for many is O Come, All Ye Faithful. This hymn was composed by John Francis Wade, and the hymn invites the citizens of heaven and earth to greet this Newborn King:

            “O Come All ye, faithful …” is a call to the Earth’s inhabitants.

“Sing choirs of angels …” is a command to the heavenly beings.

 

The hymn’s message is that the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ is for all of creation. Colossians 1:15-16 describes this child in the manger in this way:  he is “the Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”

O Come, All Ye Faithful, is an invitation for every creature to respond to their maker with “Yea, Lord, we greet Thee …” The Word has appeared in the flesh! O Come let us adore Him!

I know the Christmas season can be rather busy and hectic, maybe even frantic at times. In the middle of all our activity let us not forget to stop and worship, to pause and give thanks for the gift of Jesus Christ, to sing, O Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Prayer

I thank you Father, that your Word became flesh and lived with us  full of grace and truth. I open my heart so it can receive the grace and truth that is ours in Jesus Christ. “O come to my heart Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for you.”

O LIGHT DIVINE

 

DECEMBER 22, 2023

 

Luke 2:32

He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!

 

O Holy Night Fall on your knees,

O hear the angel voices!

O night divine,

O night when Christ was born!

 

While reflecting on the birth of Jesus we find much in the details that are messy, chaotic and disordered. I also find myself saying that the night Christ was born could also be considered one of the most perfect nights ever.

Think about the accounts we read each Christmas Eve, the unifying factor is that God used difficult circumstances (travelling on a rough road with a very pregnant wife) and an uncomfortable location (not even a hotel room, but a barn with only a manger to sleep in) to bring His perfect and holy Son into the world. Yes, God could have easily made Jesus’ birth triumphant, but He chose not to.

I find this overwhelming, do you? I mean the way God brought His son into the world reminds me of the way God works in my life, and yours. God works within our lives. God walks with us in all the failures, flaws, and weaknesses of our experiences. Is it not the case, that God often takes the imperfections in our lives and uses them to perfect, improve, and grow us?

Think for a moment of some of the most significant scars you carry. Painful ones. Yet have you not found that God takes the physical and emotional scars we have and transforms them, uses them to grow us into people of strength.

God also wants us to take what we have learned from our imperfections and put them into play to help others who may be struggling with the some of the same things.

Jesus was a light, the Bible teaches us, to reveal God to all the nations, and we are called to reflect that same light into our world.

Here is the teaching for us today. Do not let your imperfections, limitations, or so-called weaknesses hold you back. I really believe it is the enemy, Satan, that magnifies our pains, hurts, that hold us back. You see, God focuses on what we can become. What we can become, cooperating with God’s spirit, is the person that God designed you and me to be. Instead of being focused on our perceived flaws, why not take this approach: Surrender yourself to God and allow God to use your painful experiences to shape you into a follower that becomes light in a dark world.

 

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle, we stand.

The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,

In all our trials born to be our Friend.

He knows our need— to our weakness is no stranger.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!

His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim! AMEN

THE JOURNEY

 

DECEMBER 21, 2023

Luke 2:1-5

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with Child.

It is easy to overlook the small things. Caesar Augustus had no idea what was going on in tiny, conquered Judea. All he wanted was a tax registration; he ordered one, and that was the end of it. Augustus gave little thought to the impact of this registration, on the people of Judea.

Among those people burdened by this tax registration was a couple from Nazareth. Mary was “with Child”, in the late stages of her pregnancy, not the most ideal condition to be traveling. Still, Mary and Joseph obeyed the order, like many others, and headed to the city of David, Bethlehem.

Augustus may not have had any inkling of what was unfolding. But God did. This was the birth He had chosen for His own Son Jesus. Sure, God could have chosen another “cleaner, less messy” birth. Yet, it feels like something bigger is occurring in this birth story than initially meets the eye. Why else would the son of God be jolted and jarred along dirt roads as His mother walked or rode the long way to Bethlehem; why would it be that His mother's labor would begin at the worst possible time, before they had a decent place to stay; that the infant would be laid to sleep in a manger instead of a cradle. Is there some small yet meaningful detail we have overlooked?

I know there is the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy taking place, that underscores the faithfulness of God’s promises. That is rather important.

I wonder if the detail of the journey is what we need to sit with. Jesus journey to birth sounds a lot like a description of life, doesn’t it? Don’t you find that life is messy, we too are jolted and jarred along our paths, that the events in our life we often describe as occurring at the worst possible time, we may not lay our heads down in a manger, but we sure do have our share of uncomfortable, restless sleeps. My point today is, that Jesus journey to birth was yet another way we see him as fully human, even though he was God. His path and our path are not opposite, and therefore this baby in the manger, is able to identify and speak to the realities of life that we live with.

Looking at the Gospels I find, perhaps you note this too, in Jesus' eyes, no one is too small to matter, beyond the scope of compassion, not enemies, not the sick, not those with demons, not the poor or wealthy, not you, not me. I read this line recently, it says, “Jesus became small for us, so that He could be our Savior.” As Hebrews 4:5 says it,  Jesus was “like us in all things, except sin.”

My Advent devotions this year has been “God is in the Manger” based on thoughts and reflections of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I conclude today with a quote from him.

For the sake of humankind, Jesus Christ became a human being in this stable in Bethlehem. Rejoice O Christian! For sinners, Jesus Christ became a companion of tax collectors and prostitutes: Rejoice O Christian! For the condemned, Jesus Christ was condemned to the cross on Golgotha: Rejoice O Christian! For all of us, Jesus Christ was resurrected to life: Rejoice O Christian!!

Joy to the world! the Lord is come!! Amen.

 

THE PAINFUL PLACE

 

 

DECEMBER 20, 2023

Matthew 1:18b

 When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with Child from the Holy Spirit.

 

I wonder how much hurt and sorrow is found behind those simple words: "She was found to be with Child." Stop. Read those words again, “She was found to be with child.” Listen to the wording. These words imply that Mary did not have a chance to choose her time or place, to sit her family down and tell them about the angel's visit. No, "she was found to be with Child." Somebody noticed.

What do you think it might have been like?  Mary was supposed to be a virgin. Her wedding was coming up. The family would be disgraced. I suspect that this was a painful place for Mary and Joseph.

As I see it, perhaps it's a good thing that Jesus came into the world in such a thoroughly human, painful, and messy way. The backdrop to Jesus’ birth is one of shame, conflict, fighting, all these were a part of His life even before His birth. This makes Jesus a good Savior for us, don’t you think? Are you like me? Don’t we carry around with us the scars of shame and pain, too.

I believe the comforting message of the Bible is Jesus knows our shame, every bit of it, all the pain, all the grief. Isaiah says as much, “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” Here is the key thing we need to be reminded of, Jesus knows grief, shame, and pain, but He does not add to our burden. No, He does the impossible and takes it upon His own shoulders and carries it all the way to the cross. Isaiah 53 describes it well, "he took up our pain and bore our suffering, . . . he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." That’s grace, by His own shameful death Jesus removes our shame, pain and wounds, and with His resurrection He gives to us a new life, a clean slate marked by peace, forgiveness and love. Here is the overwhelming truth of this act of grace, you and me, we don't need to carry that pain any longer. Jesus takes it for us and from us. We are healed. Thanks be to God!

 

IT'S NOT GOOD TO BE ALONE

 

DECEMBER 19, 2023

Matthew 1:24-25a

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

We are not given all the fine details, but I would think that life must have been an uncomfortable for Mary, in the days after she left Elizabeth. I mean Elizabeth knew that God was doing something amazing in her, and in Mary. Elizabeth must have been a tremendous comfort to Mary, before she went to live with Joseph. Put yourself in this teenager’s position, Who did she have to open her heart to? Was there anyone who believed her, a parent, a sister or brother, a friend? I feel that for a piece of her journey Mary must felt intensely alone.

We don't know all this about Mary, of course. But we do know that God spoke to Joseph, and soon afterward, Mary had someone on her side again. Someone who believed her; someone who understood the big picture of God’s story that included Mary. Joseph would be there for her whatever upheaval there might have been among their friends and family, and he was there supportively as they coped with the later months of pregnancy, too.

Today, here is my take on all this. God knows we need other people; He could have prepared Mary do it all on her own, but the Creator did not. When we think about even Jesus did not do it all on His own, He chose twelve disciples, and had many, many more who loved and followed Him, including you and me. And you, who do you have? Maybe a spouse or a child or a friend or a neighbor. Hopefully you have the community of a church. And above all, Jesus Himself, who has promised He will always be with us, and never leave us alone. He is the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us (see Galatians 2:20), and He plans for you and me to be with Him forever. We are His beloved, and He is ours (see Song of Solomon 6:3).

Thanks be to God for his tender care of each one of us. Amen.

SON of DAVID

 

DECEMBER 18, 2023

Matthew 1:20-21

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

I have read this passage every year for as long as I can remember, but this year for some reason I noticed something that resulted in this question, “Why did the angel call Joseph "son of David"?

Now the obvious answer to this question is that God had promised many years before that the Messiah (God’s anointed one) would come from David's family line. We know that’s important because Matthew opens his Gospel with a genealogy of the Davidic line. Ending with, “Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.” As a son of David, Joseph would pass that standing to his legal son Jesus. That is a very good answer to my question, for sure.

It occurred to me though, that there might be more to it, important as that genealogical line is. Let’s think of David for a moment. He was known as the "man after God's own heart," the one who sinned deeply, but loved God just as deeply. If you follow David’s story in the Old Testament you will notice that when God guided David's life in strange new directions, David listened and followed. David relied on God's promises. Now in our reading today, the angel calls this son of David, Joseph, to an even stranger life, protecting and caring for God's own Son Jesus and His mother.

"Do not fear," the angel says. Implying that God will be with Joseph at every step of this journey. Talk about an overwhelming call, this Son that God is handing into Joseph's hands will be his Savior as well, so Joseph will have the privilege of saving his Savior, providing for his Provider. Joseph will name Him Jesus, this Child, God Himself, enters the world He created, to save. Perhaps, John summarizes this best when he recorded ^“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Saves us from sin and provides everlasting life to all.

 
Help me to trust You, dear Lord, like Joseph and David did. Amen.

Michael Card, singer and song writer captures Joseph's reflection in the song below. Give it a listen.

 

NEVER ALONE

 

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Matthew 1:18b

When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with Child from the Holy Spirit.

For many, there is a focus on Mary’s helplessness. Our text today seems to bear this out. It says she "had been betrothed" to Joseph, meaning that  somebody else did the marriage arrangement for her. Further our reading says she "was found to be with Child", which sounds like someone made an unexpected discovery. And finally, there is the phrase "before they came together", which only emphasizes how alone Mary must have been with what was happening to her body and indeed the impact of her situation on her life.

But wait, she isn't really without help, is she? It seems to me that as awful as things seem to be, God is with her. Mary is carrying Jesus. The Holy Spirit is guiding her, granted she does not yet see the big picture, the how or where or when is still unanswered for her. I admit that this is a difficult situation for this teenager. Through the narrative of Mary’s story, we are drawn to see that God is with her, in what on the surface seems to be a mess.

There is a message and a reminder for us in this, God is with us, too, no matter how terrible or messy our situation is, or how helpless and alone we feel. God has not abandoned us. Our God will not give up on us. God came into the world as a tiny baby to make us His own, to live and to die for us all. Please remember, and never doubt that you matter to God. We matter so much that when Jesus suffered, when Jesus died, when Jesus rose again, he did so out of love so that we might live a new life of joy and freedom.  

Since the Gospel’s show us that God demonstrated his love for us in Jesus, that God is for us, not against us. How about we let go and be still and let God care for us as we see he cared for Mary.

THE VISITATION

 

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Luke 1:67-68

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people."

 

It's a warm and appealing term, God has "visited" His people.  It's the same word you'd use for going to see a parent or a child or a relative you love,  a friend in the hospital. A phone call is just insufficient. You go there in person, to see them with your own eyes.

And Zechariah puts it in the past tense, too! That makes sense, because at this point, Jesus has been in Mary's womb for three months. God has in fact already come into the world as a human being, to visit and redeem His people. He didn't send a text or write an email or a letter. He came Himself. John’s Gospel says that God “pitched his tent” among us, one translation says, “moved into the neighborhood.” That’s a comforting picture isn’t it?

That is the kind of God we worship, a God who cares about us so much that He came down into our world to be with us, to be one of us, to live and to suffer and die for us so that we could have eternal life.  A God who rose from the dead to share that everlasting life with us, the people He visited, the people He loves.

 

God, thank You for visiting us, and for opening the way for us to have everlasting life.

BEING WHO WE ARE

 

DECEMBER 13, 2023

 

Luke 1:46-49

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name."

 

I think most of us have been taught to be humble, after all the opposite of humility is pride. Proverbs 11:2 says “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” In the Bible, pride is described as an excessive love of one’s own excellence. It is in considering this teaching that many of us, have what I would call a false humility. Were you taught something like: Don't think about how great you are, ever? Let me ask you, do you find it hard to receive compliments?

Look at what Mary says right here: "From now on all generations will call me blessed!"

And of course, she's right. Mary is blessed, and the whole world does say so, because God has made her the mother of Jesus. What greater blessing could there be?

So, she admits, and rejoices in her role in God’s plan. But it doesn't turn poisonous for her, she isn’t arrogant about it. Mary joyfully puts the glory right where it belongs, “for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name." Mary points beyond herself to God who did this wonderful thing to her.

We can do that, too. There is no need for us to hide who we are, whether that's a gifted mechanic, a wonderful singer, a great baker, a warm person of hospitality, a hard and dependable worker, or a person to whom God has given special gifts. You and me, we are what God has made us, we have strengths, skills, abilities, and gifts given by God’s amazing grace. We, an like Mary, can give glory to God who made us this way, and gifted us. Because above all, we are God's children, “we are God’s workmanship”, freed by Jesus Christ who loved us, and have been given a calling and purpose.

 

God, thank You for all the gifts You have given me, help me to always use them for your glory. Amen.

Reflect

* Name one gift God has given you.

* How do you serve God or others with that gift?

* What is a gift in which you are growing right now?

FOR OUR COMFORT AND JOY

 

DECEMBER 12, 2023

Luke 1:36-38

"And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

 

I find it comforting to see how God puts us together with others in hard times. Thinks about it. Here is Mary, about to face the trial of her life, young, unmarried, and pregnant.  She has a fiancé to tell, parents to deal with, a village to face. What to do? What to do first? God knows.

And so God has Gabriel tell her about Elizabeth her relative, who has also been blessed with a miracle pregnancy and could really use some help right about now! What a great idea, to go and visit her, right?

God is kind. He sees Mary's needs before she sees them herself, and He provides for them, through Elizabeth.

Sometimes just the fact that someone is "there" for you is the best gift of all, beyond anything they can do for you. Maybe that's why God Himself came into our world as a human baby, as Jesus, our Savior. Whatever God might have done from heaven on high, and it would have been amazing no doubt. God did something considerably greater for us when He came close to us in that manger, on the roads of Galilee, on that cross at Jerusalem, greeting His followers, alive again. Remember this: As Jesus suffered and died and rose from the tomb, it was for you and me, and all people. The message we need to remember.  God kept us close to Him all the way!!

God, we thank you, for pulling us close to You. Amen.

 

SOMETHING NEW

 

DECEMBER 11, 2023

Luke 1:34-35

And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the Child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God."

 

"How will this be, since I am a virgin?"

Mary is not doubting like Zechariah. Mary is a practical, she needs to know: Does God want her to move up the wedding ceremony? What’s the plan here? Mary wonders. Does God have entirely different plans for her?

As it turns out, God does indeed have different plans, He's going to handle the whole thing by miracle. As God promised long ago through the prophet Isaiah, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel" (7:14b). God is doing a new thing in the world, by inserting new, pure, divine, holy life into it. The baby will be both fully God and fully human, God from all eternity, now taking on true human nature in the person of Jesus.

Not one person who knows about Jesus’ beginning will ever be in doubt that God is doing something special here, something to pay attention to. "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:19a) We must not miss the fact that God is doing it on His own, no human measures, preparations, or planning are necessary. God's salvation, the deliverance he promised is entirely His own work, from Jesus' conception to His suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension. And we are the joyful receivers!

 Jesus, thank You that You came to be God with us, Immanuel. Amen.

PROMISE FULFILLED

 

DECEMBER 8, 2023

 Luke 1:30-33

And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His Name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." 

 

Mary would have been familiar with this promise, odds are any Jewish girl would. A son to inherit the throne of David? To rule over Israel forever? This baby will be the Messiah. Two thousand years after God announced it to Abraham, God is keeping His promise at last.

 

While hesitant and bewildered initially, Mary becomes overjoyed! She will be a part of this great thing. This promise that will be fulfilled, is going to be very intimate. Mary’s body, for nine long months will experience God’s promise, profoundly culminating in the wild circumstances of Her labor and delivery. I am always struck by the fact that Mary will be nursing this baby, changing His diapers, teaching Him to walk, to talk, to do His chores and mind His manners, all the things any human child must learn. She must have felt joy.

 

Mary must have felt fear as well. This blending of Joy and fear is a truly biblical experience. Many in the Bible, experienced Joy, and fear in living the reality of God’s promise being fulfilled.

 

Here is the message that comes through all this, God would be with Mary, as God is with us when He asks us to take on life-changing challenges. That is what the hope of Emmanuel, God with Us means.

RETURNING HOME

 

December 7, 2023

 

Luke 1:23-25

²³ When his time of service was completed, he returned home. ²⁴ After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. ²⁵ “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.”

I wonder what this homecoming was like?  I can visualize Elizabeth, coming to greet her husband, and getting the silent treatment.  Questioning him, touching him, worrying, has he had a stroke? Is he sick? Did someone hurt him? What is wrong? I have a hunch Elizabeth imagined the worst, before the wordless Zechariah was able to get the message across to her of Angels, and God’s promise, a miracle is about to happen.

It must have been an interesting time telling the story to Elizabeth. Poor Old Zechariah, scribbling as fast as he could, Elizabeth desperately following the story. And then the joy! Oh, imagine the joy, knowing that God had heard her prayers too, and that finally, finally, they would have a child.

No wonder she hid herself in private. It must have been so much too much to take in. Five months of quiet and peace, thinking about the massive change in her world. When you stop to think of it, her experience would mean an enormous impact in our lives as well. God’s Good News promise was being fulfilled, and John, the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah was soon to arrive, and right after his birth, Jesus, our Liberator, would be born and he would surrender himself to God’s will, and give Himself up for us all, to bring us back to God. I ask you, what better news could there be?