Sunday, December 25, 2011

^{The Birth of Jesus}

^{From the Book of Luke 2 (NIV)}

¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.
⁴ 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. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told..

Sunday, December 11. 2011

Fill Your Hearts With Joy

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!” -- Luke 2:9-10

A number of years ago I had the opportunity to attend the Christmas program at the Crystal Cathedral. It was an amazing production filled with “angels” flying through the air and real camels coming down the aisles. It brought what we know as the Christmas story to life.

It’s so easy to read the words and kind of slide past the enormity of what happened that night while those shepherds were simply going about their business. Think about it. You’re just hanging out with your coworkers one night and suddenly an angel of the Lord appears. We all want to think we would be amazed and awed and thrilled. And probably we would. But it also would likely be quite frightening.

It wasn’t until the angel spoke and told them about the Savior who had been born that night that the shepherds understood the magnificence that was before them. How inspiring to be chosen to receive such great news!

The Christmas season is filled with so many things that have nothing to do with Jesus’ birth. It’s about shopping and gifts, eating and parties. Sometimes it’s just plain exhausting. And while many of us have a wonderful time visiting with family and friends, it can all seem overwhelming and not at all joyful.

Maybe that’s because we’ve lost focus of what Christmas really means to all of us. A baby was born. God’s Son in human flesh. He came to grow into a man and save us all from an eternity separated from God. But on that night so long ago, the skies were filled with joy.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.” -- Luke 2:14

The chorus of angels praised God as the shepherds looked on. Imagine the joy that filled the shepherds’ hearts as they realized what they had witnessed. Priorities shifted. They left their sheep. They left their jobs. They left their lives to seek a baby who was a Savior.

So slow down a little these next weeks. Take it all in. Listen to the choirs sing God’s praises. Hear the story with fresh ears and a heart open to absorb its truth. A baby is born to save the world. Jesus the Messiah. Shout aloud with great joy. A Savior has come for you and for me.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Seek Jesus, Then Tell

"So then they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." -- Luke 2:16-20

The shepherds heard the angels and sought Jesus. Then they told everyone. Go and do likewise.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Happy Birthday Jesus!    

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.

     And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

     Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

     When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." -- Luke 2:6-15

May everyone see the star and find the Son.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Welcome The Weary Traveler

"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 2:4-5

It seems like half the country has somewhere to go for Christmas. They're going cross-country to their parents' home, or across town to their sibling's house, or to the mountains for a family holiday. Some are even heading to their church for a community dinner.

I always enjoyed being the person who stayed home and cooked. I loved to gather people together, mostly orphans by circumstances and location, and celebrate. An old friend sent a note recently, reminiscing about the Christmas parties I used to host. Those were good times. Now, I'm just a guest who shows up and, maybe, does the dishes or takes out the garbage. Life changes.

I love the group that gathers at church. It is open to anyone. The church provides meat and beverages and everyone else brings a covered dish to share. It's a church family gathering. Many people don't want any part of such a gathering. They only have select family members with maybe a few close friends thrown into the mix. Christmas is a day for closeness and love. No strangers need apply.

I wonder if we, too, would have turned away Mary and Joseph and the baby who would be born this night. Would we have said no and wished them well, rationalizing that we didn't have room or enough food for strangers? Just like we close the doors, and our hearts, to those who are alone in our midst.

Close your eyes and imagine the scene. Mary, deep in labor, with Joseph attending her. The stable filled with animals who kept watch over the virgin and her fiance as the baby's birth neared. Do you smell the manure and sweat and hay? Gather the dirty clothes and prepare for the birth of our King.

On the Christmas Eve, be mindful of the weary traveler. Open the door and welcome the stranger. Let your heart reach out to the widow down the street and the singles from work. Christmas isn't about exclusion. On the contrary, Jesus came so that everyone could be saved. So take a chance. Smile. Offer a kind word. Show people that Jesus still lives.