Tag: Christmas Devotional

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Encounter #8

Escape to Egypt

After they (Wise Men) had left,  An angel  of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.
The Angel said to him,  “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt.
Stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and kill him.”
Matthew 2:13

The new daddy, still-new husband, Joseph,  again has a Divine Encounter with the Angel of God, regarding the Baby now in his and Mary’s care.  The same Messenger was now bringing a Message that would again dramatically affect the lives of the young family.  In the midst of their first days of being  parents, probably amidst plans of returning to their home, their families, their life in Nazareth, there would be another journey for the three.  This time, to a foreign land. . . a foreign people. 

As the little family journeyed to Egypt, the ancient nation into which  “another” Joseph had been sold into slavery  so long ago, this young family would find refuge and safety for themselves and the tiny Baby sheltered in their arms.   Their people’s ancient experience of captivity in Egypt would now have a new chapter. . . The infant Life of their Messiah would find refuge with his new parents in that ancient land of Egypt.  The place of Israel’s captivity would now become a place of refuge, for a time,  for the Savior of the World.   

God’s Redemption Purposes never end.  There are no geographical barriers, no world powers, no evil plans that can stop God’s Plans.

Although we walk through seasons that do not appear to be “right”….or “fair”….or “good” . . . God’s Purposes are still in motion, and there will be a day when we look back, able to say, “Ohhh. . . . that’s why. . .” as we glimpse the Redeeming Purposes that He had orchestrated for our lives.

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Encounter #7

Men of a Different Culture, Ethnicity, Language,  Religion  and  World  Worship Jesus

Matthew 2

“After Jesus’ birth, wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem.  
They asked, “Where is the One who was born to be the king of the Jews?  
We saw His star rising and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:1-2

Meanwhile, in an ancient Arabian region, three kings become aware of an extraordinary Event being signaled by a new Star appearing in the Eastern sky, clearly visible to these highly respected leaders of nations (likely present-day Iran.)   Can God be at work in nations that do not worship the Creator-God of the Bible?  Can He communicate to their hearts . . . minds . . even if they are not of the religion that was born out of the Bible?  

Jesus’ physical entrance into our world was within the context of the religion that grew out of the Bible . . . Old Testament and New Testament.  But God’s Heart reaches across all human barriers, including religions.  Stories of God’s engagements with people of all nations, languages, and religions have no human barriers nor categories.   .   .  God’s Heart is not limited to any of the barriers that we identify on earth . . . religious, cultural, ethnicity or language.  God used the “heavens” to identify and guide an unlikely array of worshippers to find Him.  They recognized that “worship” was the only thing to do in response to the One they encountered in tiny, human form.

Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and now three kings from “The East” . . . not of the Faith of Israel . . . but with a recognition of the heavens and the Creator Who used the heavens and the earth to bring His Reality into human awareness.  The three wise men . . . kings in their own right . . . knew that something completely unique in history was taking place . . . a Divine Event was unfolding.  They were determined to be a part of the experience.  At great personal cost, they came. Their eyes on the heavens, they found the Baby.  They experienced the Child, and they responded in worship. . . acknowledgement of The One announced by stars of the sky, yet in the tiniest, most vulnerable form of human life.  

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  Encounter #5

A Little Village, A Desperate Couple, A Shelter for Animal . . . and a Baby

“While they were in Bethlehem, 
The time came for Mary to have her child. 
She gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped Him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger
because there was no room for them in the inn.”
                                                          Luke 2:6

The young couple were newly-weds.  But it had been a rough start.  The bride was pregnant.  Mary had been at risk of being publicly stoned to death.  And Joseph would have been the obvious culprit.  The unfolding Story  could have  cost Mary her life, and ended then and there.

But through God’s Divine Mercy and Love, God assured Joseph that the Child in Mary’s womb was of His Orchestration.  The Angel-Messenger told Joseph that God was orchestrating the Events through which he and Mary were being led.  God was unfolding a Plan that could change the eternal destinies of every person  who would choose to follow His Plan – through all time.   Mary and Joseph would be the first ones to hold, love, protect, and nurture the Son of God, now growing in Mary’s womb.  The Child would grow into a Man Who would provide the Way to Eternal Life.  

The Way would cost this Child everything.  

Before the young couple and the Baby in Mary’s womb could settle into their new life together in Nazareth, the Roman Empire sent out a decree to the people of Israel.  The Empire wanted a headcount of every person in Israel.  Taxes were to be assessed and required of each.  Every citizen had to go to the cities of their family’s heritage, be registered with the Empire, and taxes paid. Joseph’s family heritage was from Bethlehem.

This was certainly not a “honeymoon” trip for Joseph and Mary.  It would have been a nightmare trip for the young couple. Mary was now carrying her unborn Son through hot, rugged terraine with only the supplies they could carry. Hormonal changes, physical changes, and emotional impact of pregnancy is challenging in a “normal” situation.  But the stressful realities the young couple had to walk through must have caused questions and challenges at a far higher level than what they could have imagined. Fellow travelers would be physically spent and emotionally frustrated as their occupied nation was forced to even more merciless demands than had already been imposed under the brutal Roman occupation.  All of Israel shared  the same cruel treatment by the Roman military in their small nation.  The journey could easily be a trip that many would not survive.  Rugged, hot, hilly terraine, and  limited water would complicate their journey from Nazareth. . . most probably on foot. Then, at their destination, they would have to hand their hard-earned money to greedy, often cruel hands of their merciless, God-less  oppressors.  

For the young family,  especially Mary being far along in her first pregnancy, the journey would have held risks, problems, and stress beyond imagining.  The trip was likely by foot, through rugged terrain for a distance of about 90 miles. The precious Baby in Mary’s womb would have added even more concern and sense of responsibility for the two first-time parents. 

Joseph was likely required to pay his taxes in Bethlehem, the city of his family’s heritage.  However, the small town was teeming with travelers from all over Israel who were now flooding the city because of the Roman mandate.  Their hoped-for  “inn” with no vacancies was likely in Jerusalem.   Bethlehem is within sight of Jerusalem’s walls, about 5 miles from the Temple.  But the small village would not be large enough to accommodate such a human overflow of visitors to Jerusalem.  

Whatever the logistical situation, Bethlehem was nearest to Jerusalem. The humble village was where David had been born, and where he had watched over the sheep of his father.  From the hills of Bethlehem, Jerusalem is clearly visible.  The lambs needed for Temple sacrifices were primarily raised in the rolling fields between the little town and the Temple in Jerusalem that glistened within sight.  Lambs raised for Temple sacrifices grazed those hills, with their shepherds keeping watch over them.  The Gate in Jerusalem’s wall used for the sacrifice lambs to be brought to the Temple was within a few miles’ walk of the humble village.  The hills between the village and the City were pleasant pastures for the flocks of the shepherds of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem’s small-town setting offered Joseph and Mary a possible “Plan B” urgent alternative to Jerusalem’s crush of frustrated, oppressed, (literally taxed visitors that had flooded the city.)  

Plan “B” was now in process. . .

Arriving in Bethlehem did not relieve the young couple’s desparate situation.  Mary and Joseph now faced a new reality of NO place to stay.  No water to wash the dust of the hot, rugged trip. Likely, no clean water to even quench their thirst.   Any shelter for travelers was no longer available.  Every available room in both Jerusalem and nearby Bethlehem was full of equally weary, frustrated, hungry and thirsty travelers who had been forced to make the journey.

And now, Mary was clearly in labor.  The Baby was coming.  In desperation, Joseph found space in a stable . . . inhabited by the animals.  There was no other option.

 . . . and the Baby was born.  

A young man helped his new wife as she gave birth to the Baby that God had intentionally placed into their lives . . . into their arms . . . into their hearts.  God had given His Own Son into their keeping.  Father to father.  Son,  now in human  form, was held within a young woman’s arms.  The Divine entrusting the Divine into human arms. . . . human hearts. .  .  for the sake of the World.

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ENCOUNTER #4

A Groom, an Unborn Child, an Angel, and a Rough Beginning

MATTHEW 1:18-25

“Joseph had this in mind when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.
The angel said to him, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary
as your wife. She is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and
you will name him Jesus [He Saves], because he will save his people their sins.”

Joseph was in a crisis . . . emotional upheaval. . . considering a quiet escape. His
lovely fiance, Mary, was going to have a baby. But it was not his child. It was over. . . his plans, the house he was preparing for his bride, his heart of love for the girl with whom he planned to spend his life and establish his own family. He had been waiting to share that future with his Love . . .Mary.

But then came the shocking revelation that she was having a baby. A baby that was not
his.

A man in love has his own dreams for the future. A home he will prepare. . . a job that will provide for her. . . sons to carry on his name . . . sons to be taught and carry on his trade, children to carry on his family legacy. His good reputation in the village of his family’s significant history as a direct descendant of King David would now become the whispers of the whole town. Joseph had waited for Mary. She was worth the wait.

And then, it blew up.

Mary had gone away to visit with her Aunt Elizabeth. Joseph had stayed in his and Mary’s hometown of Nazareth. He had a big responsibility to build the home in which his bride and their future children would live after they married. But Mary had returned in a way that had devastated his hopes . . . his dreams . . . his dignity. Future family plans with his Bride shattered. The respect of his community, his reputation , his dignity. . . his future . . .crumbled before his eyes.

Mary was carrying a baby . . . inside. And he was definitely not the father. This was not
his baby. Layers of devastation began to swirl in the young man’s heart and mind. He
had preserved her greatest gift to him. . . her virginity. What had Mary done!? Joseph loved Mary. He did not want her to “pay” . . . She could have been stoned to death by the villagers. It was the traditional, legal, just consequence for such behavior. Everybody knew punishment for such immoral behavior. Joseph must have been shaken to the core.

But God knew. God was Present. God understood Joseph’s shock . . . hurt . . . turmoil.
God knew the Truth. This was a significant part of His Plan. . . despite human realities.
Joseph still cared about the girl he had chosen to marry. He had built and prepared a
house for them and for their future children. That’s what a good man does for his family.

Joseph’s emotional and mental nightmare swirled in his mind and heart as he laid down
to sleep. It was a brief escape from the tragic disruption to the life he had been preparing. Mary would be at great risk of being stoned to death once the villagers began to see the evidence of a baby growing within the cover of her robes. He did not want that to happen. His heart and mind struggled with the implications of her “sin” becoming visible. But he did not want Mary to die. She had become part of his heart. . . more than a legal arrangement with her family. Joseph began making a plan of escape for Mary. . . one that would allow her to quietly “disappear” without the danger of usual punishment in such cases, . . . public stoning.

But in the quiet of the night, when Joseph’s new reality . . .a living nightmare, took a brief reprieve with sleep. Then Joseph had a Visitor. A Light penetrated his darkness, and radiated peace, love, compassion . . . hope. God had come near. He knew the agony in Joseph’s heart. He saw the pain. . . the fear . . . the turmoil of a young man’s shattered dreams.

God’s Light penetrated Joseph’s nightmare. A Voice spoke in the darkness. . . It called him by name. The Source of that Light was gentle. Loving. Personal. Understanding of the pain of his broken heart, The Voice held no condemnation . . . a tender disruption to the agonizing thoughts that were swirling about his tomorrow . . . his life . . . his love . . . his family. God’s Voice ended the turmoil in Joseph’s heart about his beloved Mary.

The Voice spoke to his fear . . . his hurt . . . A Voice called him by name.
“Joseph, descendant of David, take Mary as your wife . . . the Child within her is from Me . . .a Son, and you will name him Jesus [“He Saves”] because he will save His people from their sins. He will be a Gift for all of mankind. “ ~Matthew 1:20-21

When a man sees his world falling apart, a relationship dissolving. . .feels his heart breaking . . . his dreams crumbling, God draws near. Joseph’s heart was tuned in to God. Even in the midst of emotional pain and turmoil, he had not shut his heart towards God. Joseph experienced God’s Presence, His gentleness, His guidance, His assurance, Hope, and His Heart of Love for a fallen world that needs forgiveness and salvation . . . soon to be offered through his son . . . His Son.

God saw the emotional and mental anguish of a young man. He cared for the internal turmoil in Joseph’s heart. But God’s Plan included this young man. He was part of His plan. He would be the key male figure in His Son’s earthly life. Provider, protector, role model, teacher. . . the most influential man from God’s Son’s birth until He would step into His Eternal Destiny . . .a carpenter . . . Teacher . . . Healer . . . Friend . . . Savior. . .

Messiah.

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Encounter #3

An Old Auntie, A Young Niece, And 2 Pre-born Cousins

“Soon afterwards, Mary hurried to a city in the mountain region of Judah. She
entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.”
Luke 1:39-40 (-56)

As Mary saw her beloved cousin’s home come into view, her mixture of emotions and thoughts must have become intense. The “Moment of Truth” was in sight. Mary was focused on Elizabeth’s home. Elizabeth would be surprised to see her young niece getting out of the cart. . . no phone message. . . no postcard . . . likely no forewarning whatsoever.

But as Elizabeth comes out of her house and Mary walks toward her, Elizabeth pauses as she experiences a strange sensation from deep inside. Her unborn baby reacts to the young girl’s approach. . . with a “leap” inside his mother. Pre-born Spirit connected to Pre-born Spirit. There was Joy. . . Joy that the old mother recognized in the baby she carried so near to her own heart. Two baby boys. . . with the Spirit of God already in them . . .had words.

Spirit to Spirit needed no words.

God was at work. . . in the hearts and minds of two women. . . one old and one young. Two women who had lived their lives choosing to follow God, no matter what it might require of them. And God was at work in the spirits of two tiny, unborn “miracle” boys. . . ordained by God Himself to carry out their individual, ordained roles in the Story God was unfolding for the sake of the world.

God provided a Moment in Time for two mothers-in-waiting. Relatives. . . two women, one old, one young, who needed a safe place to talk, share their hearts, fears, joys. . .

Two mothers, each carrying her tiny, pre-born, miracle baby boy. Each tiny boy was sent by God to carry out his specific Mission. Both mothers would experience unspeakable joy and heartbreak as they watched the Paths each son would follow as God had ordained. Each son would die horrible deaths at the hands of wicked leaders. But each son would impact their world for God’s Kingdom. John pointed the way to eternal life. Jesus made the way for eternal life through forgiveness of sin. An elderly auntie . . . a young girl . . . both with a
Divine Calling to birth sons who would impact and change the world. Both sons’ life sacrifices would bring people to the knowledge of God’s reality and His provision for humanity to have eternal life.

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Encounter #2

A Teenage Girl and a Messenger of God

Luke 1:26-38

Mary, a young teenage girl, lived in Nazareth, a region near the sea of Galilee. It was some distance from Jerusalem, where the Temple was the Centerpiece of Israel. But Nazareth was a quieter area, where fishing, farming and flocks of sheep were common. Mary was engaged to marry a young man named Joseph, a local carpenter whose family had a respected lineage in Israel’s history.

One day, an unexpected Visitor came to Mary’s family home. But the Visitor greeted young Mary first, with these words: “You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you!”

Mary was startled. This was not the usual way that visitors began a greeting in a family home. He addressed Mary specifically . . . a young, teenage girl. Normally the parents were the first to be addressed. But He spoke her name.

The Visitor continued. . . He said, “You are favored by the Lord. The Lord is with you.”

Mary was startled by these words, and was trying to figure out what this greeting meant.
Normally, guests first spoke with the head of the family. . . not a young daughter. Little
did Mary know that God’s #1 Angel was the had ever carried such a Message since the
Earth was Created.

The Visitor (Angel) continued. . .“Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God.

You will become pregnant,
Give birth to a son,
And name him Jesus.
He will be a great man
And will be called
‘The Son of the Most High.’

The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.
Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever,
And His kingdom will never end.”

Mary was startled . . . and confused. . . with good reason! She was not married, and she was a virgin. The Visitor (Angel) continued, with care and more clarity for this young girl whose life would never be the same again, nor like that of anyone else in all of history. But young Mary knew God. She knew Him as her Savior.

The Visitor provided more details of what was soon to take place in Mary’s life:
● The tiny baby she would carry within her was a boy
● The Baby’s name: Jesus
● He would be the greatest Man of all
● His Title would be “Son of the Most High
● He would inherit the Throne of King Daivd (his ancestor)
● His Kingship would be over all the people within the ancestry of Jacob
forever

● His Kingdom will never end.

In that quiet, Sacred Moment, alone with God’s Angel. . . the young girl spoke the words that were in her mind and tender heart. No questions. In what was perhaps one of the weightiest Moments in all of human history, a young girl opened her heart, her future, her total being. . . and spoke the words that would impact all of History from that Holy, deeply personal Moment on. “I will do what You have Said.”

How does a young, sheltered teenage girl begin to understand such a message? Who is this Stranger in the room? A young virgin being told she will begin to carry a baby in her body. . . a baby who is the Messiah that her ancestors through centuries had been awaiting to become their Perfect, Just King Who would at last change their world into the future World that God had Promised so long ago. She knew the stories. They had been passed down throughout centuries to her own people, to her own time, and for her people’s future for all Time.

The Angel had said that her fiance Joseph would be the one walking through this unimaginable future with her. She would not face this alone. There was a Plan. The Prophecies that her people had held in their minds and hearts for centuries were
beginning to unfold in her time. In her and Joseph’s family line. . . and into their own home . . . into their own lives . . . into her own body…her own arms. It was to begin now.

Mary’s heart and mind was swirling . . . she was so young. She had to talk to someone.
Who in the world could possibly understand any of this. Who could hold her, care for
her, help her step through this one-time-in-global-history experience? She could only
imagine the probable reactions of the people she loved most, not to mention the
probable reactions of the people of her sheltered world. . . her mother. . . her father . .
girlfriends, neighbors, cousins, . . . all of the circle of relationships that made up her
small world in Nazareth.

Who could ever believe her? Where could she feel safe? Elizabeth. Her sweet, wise, loving “favorite cousin.” The angel knew her, and knew that Mary would desperately need someone in this life-changing Moment. Elizabeth would understand. She would be safe . . . wise . . . caring. . .and experiencing her own miracle pregnancy. Perfect.

The young girl gathered her things and with her parent’s blessing (of course!) and
began her journey to dear Elizabeth’s home. She would be safe in Elizabeth and Zechariah’s home. She would be welcomed, and loved. It would be the perfect place to begin thinking and talking through the realities that she was only beginning to imagine. She was so young. Aunt Elizabeth had never had a baby, but she was so wise. . . she would know what to do.

God would have to handle the overwhelming realities to come. But in that Moment, Mary knew she needed a safe place, a caring face, a loving heart, and the words of wisdom from a dear one she could trust. Both Wise Aunt Elizabeth and young Mary were in for a Delightful, Divine Surprise!

God knows the emotional needs that arise throughout the seasons of our lives. Cross-
generational relational connections are a sweet way to share experiences, struggles,
perspectives, advice and care throughout our years and seasons of life. Mentors who have lived through struggles, heartaches, and loss have gems of truth that can shed light on our present realities. A rocky relationship . . . a challenging pregnancy, hurtful whispers and judgements. . .life dreams that seem to crumble. . . insecurity about the future. . . God’s ancient people experienced those realities. Their stories and ancient words of Wisdom can bring light for our own hearts and struggles.

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A Season of Human (and Divine!) Encounters. . .

That old, familiar Story . . . told and retold throughout the centuries. That Story of a Baby Who changed the state of the world by His Coming. He changed the status of the realities of our earthly life forever. And most impossible of all . . . He provided the Way to change the human heart, mind, and eternal Destination of every man, woman and child of this Earth.

It is a story of Divine Encounters that are woven throughout the season that we call “Christmas.” Does God speak to young children? Does He speak to teenagers? Does God speak to hearts in the midst of serious life choices and crises? Stories of God’s personal Engagement with humanity cross all barriers of age, gender, social status, ethnicity and religious affiliations.

Holidays can often be settings for interactions that bring hurt, disappointment, tension, and emotional distancing. The Bible is full of stories of those human realities, including one of the most beautiful stories in all of history. . . the coming of the Messiah as an innocent baby, to be born and live in a world that would widely reject Him . . . then and now.

Yet, He walked through our world embodying Perfect Love. The only One Who ever did. He is our Example, and offers His Presence in our lives as we move through our days and our relationships every day.

May this short series of Stories of His First Coming touch your heart and mind as you walk through this Christmas season and all of the Divine Encounters that await. . .the unique sense of Wonder . . . Hope . . . Time with family and friends . . . sights and Signs of Beauty and Light . . .May you know He is near.

ENCOUNTER #1

An Old Priest, His Wife, and an Angel

Luke 1

The old Priest in the Temple in Jerusalem had been given the honor of serving there at a special time of year, and his very special assignment was to burn the sacred incense in the most holy place. He had this rare privilege through his heritage of coming from the priestly lineage of Aaron, and his lifetime of faithful service to God within the walls of the beautiful Temple . . . the Centerpiece of Israel. It may have been his only “Shining Moment” to enter that sacred space in his lifetime. Every detail of this Moment must be perfect. He was literally “in the Presence of God.”

Zechariah carried out each detail of this sacred experience . . . focused, memorized, exact, prepared. He was an old man, and it was likely that he would never experience this again. Was he memorizing every moment? Did he wish that his dear Elizabeth could see this? Did he wish that there had been a child . . . a son who could have shared this amazing Moment with his daddy? A son who would carry on his legacy of serving in God’s Presence in the Holy Temple . . . the Focal Point of his city . . . his nation. . . his people Israel.

Then, He appeared. Right there. Standing right there in that Most Holy Place. The Angel . . . Gabriel!! Standing with him to the right of that sacred space at the Altar of God. Zechariah was stunned. No one else was in the place. . . all the people who had come to worship were
praying outside while Zechariah carried out his most sacred responsibility and privilege to light the incense that God wanted to fill all the air around Him. But there were no instructions for this situation! Zechariah was shaken to his core!

Was he about to die? Had he made a mistake? He had never heard of anything like this before. There was no one else in this holiest place in the Temple. All the people were outside. . . worshiping . . . praying . . . waiting. He was alone. With an Angel. He was “overcome with fear”….AKA freaking out!!! Literally speechless.

The Angel spoke. “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah. (The Angel knew his name!) God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son… (He knew her name!)… And you will name him ‘John.’ He will be your pride and joy, and many people will be glad that he was born.

“As far as the Lord is concerned, he will be a great man. He will never drink wine or any other liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many people in Israel back to the Lord their God. He will go ahead of the Lord with the Spirit and Power that Elijah had. He will change parents’ attitudes toward their children. He will change disobedient people so that they will accept the wisdom of those who have God’s approval. In this way, he will prepare the people for their Lord.”

WHAT??? Hello??? This makes NO sense. This is impossible! I am an old man. Elizabeth is far too old to get pregnant!

The glowing Stranger introduced himself. “I am Gabriel. I stand in God’s Presence. This is all going to happen. Now you will just have to think about what I have told you. You won’t be able to say a thing until it all happens. It will all come true at the right time.” And he was gone.

Old Zechariah finally stumbled out to the crowd waiting outside the Temple. This was not the normal way this special event was supposed to go. What happened in there? The old guy couldn’t walk. He couldn’t speak! All he could do was try to tell his experience through pantomime. He looked crazy!

His time in Temple service was not finished. He had to go back into the Temple until his obligation was ended. He couldn’t even see Elizabeth. Did she have any idea of what was going to happen. . . an elderly couple was going to have a baby. Impossible.

But God. . .

Old age is rarely a season of life to which anyone looks forward. Although wisdom and
experience are a resource that the coming generations can draw from, the opportunities
or intentional pursuit may not be the reality. But God’s Word is filled with history and
stories of His value and engagement with a lot of very old people, women and men, who
played significant roles in their own and future generations. God uses old people, with
their life experiences, wisdom, and perspective of what truly matters in life.

Little did this elderly couple realize that Elizabeth’s young relative, Mary, was about to
go through her own experience of a Miracle Baby. . . as a virgin. There would be the “looks” …“whispers”… “questions.” Auntie Elizabeth would provide a safe shelter to the
young girl whose life would be turned upside-down, as her own miracle pregnancy
became noticeable to her friends and neighbors. Two “impossibly” expectant mothers
would have a safe place in one another to share their joys, fears, questions, and time.
Poised together on the threshold of the arrival of two baby boys who would impact the
world for Eternity, the two women, old and young, would walk through the eternally
singular Experience of carrying Miracle Baby Boys within their own bodies . . . so near
to their hearts.

And God orchestrated the faithful, childless couple to play a significant role in the life of
a beloved niece, whose Child would change the World forever. Zachariah and Elizabeth’s miracle baby, for whom they had hoped and prayed was now nearing birth. John. And the One. . . the Messiah. . . for Whom they had waited and watched throughout their lives was now nearing His Own entrance into the world, through their own niece, Mary. God rewarded their faithfulness with a miracle son, and the experience of a “front row seat” to see the physical signs of the unborn Messiah, for Whom they had prayed throughout their lives.

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“To” is Harder

“Mary said, ‘My soul praises the Lord’s greatness!

My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior,

 because the Almighty has done great things tome.

His name is holy.’ ”

Luke 1:46-47

I never get tired of the Christmas Story, nor of spending time contemplating its innumerable facets.  I’ve heard the story read at Christmas time since my earliest memories.

Today, as I read this familiar passage, I was struck by a tiny word that wasn’t the familiar version I had memorized as a child.  The little word “to” caught my attention.  I had always known it to be “for” me.  Today, it was different  –  “…the Almighty has done great things to me.” A tiny word can make a lot of difference.

Mary’s entire world and life turned upside down when she accepted the role of being the mother of the Messiah.  Throughout the ages since then, Mary has been honored, praised, and beloved.  Her change in status throughout history has been uniquely honored.  This would be the aspect that comes to mind when I read “…the Almighty has done great things forme.” Which is absolutely true.

But, while the miracle was taking place inher, and all the days of her life following the birth of Jesus, God was doing great things to her.   He was literally changing her body, her heart, her family, her community, and her future.  Much of those changes were painful, unpopular, and challenging.

It is far easier to embrace what God does forus.  But it is much deeper, more intimate, scary and life-changing when we allow God to do what He wants to us.  It is much more risky to invite Him into my life.   It will change not only my present, but my future.  And those life-alterations are not in our control.

It all comes down to a matter of choice. . . the choice to trust Him with my life, no matter what.  Or will I hold onto my life as tightly as I can?   Will I desperately hold onto His Hand, do what is hard, painful, seemingly impossible….simply because He’s asked me to?   Or  not?

 

 

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What’s in a Name?

“So the Lord himself will give you this sign:

A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son,

and she will name him Immanuel [God Is With Us].”

Isaiah 7:14

Try to imagine young Mary, a teenager, unmarried, having grown up under the powerful, evil rule of an occupying government, where every move you make is watched, controlled, and dictated by cruel men who have no tolerance for nor acknowledgement of the God of Israel.  Underneath that dangerous dynamic was the power of the Jewish religious leadership, whose authority dictated all daily life…especially the inner world of faith, attitudes, behaviors and connections with God.

Mary would have been taught the ancient Scripture prophecies about the Messiah Who was to come….the One who would save her people from thousands of years of suffering.

In a moment of her everyday life, she was transported into the ancient Story…the ancient Promise that they had all been longing for.

She would carry and give birth to that baby boy, “Immanuel.”  God is With Us.   God had set it up…every detail, and brought Mary into that world-changing story. God entrusted Himself in the most vulnerable form, into the arms of a young girl…  She would have to hold Him close to her heart from the moment He entered this world.

The angel instructed both Joseph and Mary, separately, to name her baby, “Jesus.” (Meaning: He Saves.”)  A far more common, unassuming, and simple name.  I wonder if that wasn’t a ‘mercy’ for that new family.  Can you imagine how complicated it would have been if the “official”  ‘Immanuel’ was the public name!   “God-with-us”, it’s time to eat!  God-with-us, where are you?  God-with-us, come help your father!”

Oh! How she would need to know that God was with her from that day on.  Every day.  Every time she spoke her tiny baby’s name…every time she called to him as he played or approached an everyday danger, or heard the cruel whispers of shame from her neighbors.

“God is with us.”

“God is with me.”

As we walk through these days remembering that moment in Time when God came to us in baby-form, may our hearts embrace God where He always intended to be….With Us.

With me.

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Unlikely Threat

“He [King Herod] called together all the chief priests and the experts in the Scriptures

 and tried to find out from them where the Messiah was supposed to be born.

They told him, ‘In Bethlehem in Judea.

The prophet wrote about this:

 ‘Bethlehem in the land of Judah,

you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah.

A leader will come from you.

He will shepherd My people Israel.’” 

Mtt.2:4-6  GW

Herod, an egocentric, scheming King calls on top religious leadership – ‘experts in the Scriptures’ – under the guise of wanting to worship the Messiah.  But his heart was focused on removing the Messiah’s perceived threat to the King’s position.

The religious leaders knew their Scriptures, and readily shared the ancient prophecy of where the Messiah would be born.  Religious top leaders, and now political top leadership knew where the Messiah would first touch the earth.  Bethlehem.  Considered to be least by the leaders of the land.”

In the midst of those top leaders, the ancient prophet’s words rang out.  “A LEADER will come from you (Bethlehem.)”   But not a political leader.  Not a wealthy leader.  Not a flashy or self-absorbed leader whose goals in life would be fame, wealth, or popularity.  This “leader” would be a shepherd.  The Shepherd of all shepherds, a drastically sharp contrast to the leaders hearing the words of that ancient prophecy.

A shepherd’s life included…

…no house to shelter him

                        …no pillow for his head each night

                        …no money to accumulate towards a better life

                        …long absences from a wife to care for him, love him,

                        …long separations from his children to snuggle every morning and night

                        …away for months at a time to provide good pasture for his flock

                        …no prospect of wealth, influence nor popularity

The ancient words spoke of a simple shepherd.  A Shepherd of God’s people, His “Sheep,” with all of the struggles and dangers of that humble shepherding life. A Protector, Leader, Provider, always “on call”, always watchful.  Always ready to use his simple tools – a staff, a rod – with the expertise of keeping at bay all of the dangers lurking in the shadows, watching for the opportunity to steal and devour a helpless lamb.  A Shepherd who could read the stars in the night sky to navigate the sense of direction he must have.  A Shepherd who understood the sweetness of a song in the silent night.

May this Christmas season find us sheltered under the loving care of our Good Shepherd.