Smile it is Friday....

Yvette writes regarding her focus of Christmas:

"I have always told my children that Christmas day is Jesus' Birthday, and that is why we celebrate Christmas. I also explained to my children, ages three and four that Santa is just the party planner for Baby Jesus' Birthday. I have only taken my children to see Santa once in their whole life. This year i told the children the truth....yes the real truth.....it's not really Santa, just a man wearing a fancy costume ; )The children know that the gifts they receive are from family members not Santa.Last year was the last time we left cookies out for Santa.To be quite honest, both children were frightened at the thought of a stranger coming into their house, even if they were leaving gifts. Every year the kids help stir the batter to make a birthday cake for baby Jesus. After Christmas dinner, we all sing happy birthday to Jesus."
Thanks Yvette for those encouraging words! I especially love that you make Santa "the party planner"!

Hope this clip for the "Smile it is Friday" post will bring a smile to your heart!
Have a wonderful weekend. Janet

The baby all wrapped up...

It has been amazing looking at the birth of Christ these past weeks. I have learned so much and really searched myself to find out if I had worldly perceptions of Christmas and if I did where they robbing the true joy...and I have to say I did. I love Christmas...I love the decorations, the excitement, the gift giving and carols. But if those things steal any praise away from the truth of Christmas it is robbing Christ of His due worship and praise. I have to confess that was happening to me. How about you? Has this look at the baby in the manger caused you to look at Christmas different? And even more importantly, what change has it caused?
For me I am overwhelmed at Christ's humility...I must also humble myself. It has also caused me to ask myself "Am I teaching that to my kids?" Am I letting them know how precious the Christ baby is? How can I steer their thinking away from "What can I get for Christmas?" to "What can I give for Christmas?".
Something else I have considered...Am I also seeing those three reactions to the birth of our Savior in my family? My neighborhood?
If so, how can I give them the Truth? I am praying how to do that.
If you have any suggestions as how to share or enjoy the Truth of Christmas, would you let me know?

Here are some suggestions I thought of...

1) Have a "Birthday for Jesus" party and invite neighborhood kids.
2) A Christmas card that just does not say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" but has a verse that exalts the birth of Christ.
3) Read the Gospel of Matthew Chapters 1 and 2 after dinner with the kids. And next week the Gospel of Luke also Chapters 1 and 2.
4) Give in secret...maybe go to an single parent and visit. After make a list of gifts for her and her children. Have your kids shop and then on Christmas Eve leave the gifts at her front door with a note saying "Jesus the Truth of Christmas is the greatest gift" ...Maybe leave a new Bible with a bookmark on the verses...
5) You could also serve Christmas lunch at a homeless shelter then go home and do yours.
6) Invite friends who might not have heard the Gospels and share the meaning of His birth.
7) Have our children write their very own Gospel message. Have them write down what they know of Jesus' birth and what it truly means. Maybe include them in your Christmas cards for family members who are lost.

Well, those are just some ideas to get us started. Let me know your thoughts...
Janet

Wise men and fools....

The story of Christmas is filled with wonder and joy. In the past days we have looked at the birth of Christ, His parents, His announcement and yesterday we saw the first to receive the news that a Savior was born where the lowliest shepherds. There where others who also received news of this special birth. Some where wise men and others were fools who may have understood but never responded.
There is a deep mystery surrounding the three wise men. The bible does not say much about them...it seems as they just appear and as mysteriously as they do they disappear from the pages of scripture. Much has been added over time to their part of the story. But the clear facts are right there in the Gospel of Matthew.
"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'"
Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him." After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. "

This is what Scripture clearly says about the wise men. There may not have been three but for sure three gifts. They found Jesus after a long journey...probably months and some scholars even think years. When they found Jesus He was no longer in the stable but a house (Matt 2:11)
So their journey took them far and long...they probably traveled with an army and definitely provisions for the journey which most likely included food, servants and animals. So when they entered Bethlehem, they would have been quickly noticed. As they traveled down the streets they asked everywhere "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews" None could answer them...but the murmur of the city questioning "Who is this one who the Magi are asking about?" must have been heard in Herod's court. Herod's fear arose from this, because he was not in the true line of Jewish Kings. He was evil and ruthless. His position was given to him by Rome so a real Jewish King from the line of David posed a real threat. He more than likely, had heard of a coming King and knew he must be disposed of quickly.
The Magi, on the other hand, were eagerly searching for this King. They had little information, but they had enough that God stirred in them a desire to see and worship. They came fully prepared to give gifts and praise. They traveled a long way and a long time...their hearts must have been full with anticipation. They followed what little "light" was given to them until they reached the fullness of that source "The Light of the World".
I think it is interesting to look at these three types of people and see that the responses to Christ's coming are no different today.

Herod. He pretended to want to worship and yield his authority to this King. But in reality he wanted to remain in the throne. People are like that today...they won't relinquish their authority over their lives. They say "I am my own master" "It is my life and I won't have anyone tell me how to live it"
They may pretend to want to know about Christ but their lives are self-centered and prideful. They want to kill Christ because in their eyes He is a threat.

The Jewish people and Chief Priests. They had heard of the coming of their King. They had the Scriptures. They had a lot of knowledge about him. We see that because they came with the information to Herod. They told him that a ruler would come to shepherd the people of Israel. (Matt. 2:6) But they were to busy to move out of their comfort zone and find this King. They had all the head knowledge but no obedience. Their head was full but their hearts were empty. Today there are people like that. They hear the Gospel even know about Christ. But they are to busy with their own things to "Follow Him". They lack nothing in understanding who He is but they have no desire to seek Him fully.

The Magi. They had knowledge of Christ but it may be incomplete. Yet God moves their heart to leave everything behind and find the fullness of who He is. The magi had as much information as the Jewish people and they obediently followed as their minds and hearts lead. They persevered until they came to Christ. The light they found was the pure Shekinah Glory. That same Light lead the Israelites through to the Promised Land. This time it lead the Magi to the Promised Son.

This Christmas how will the world respond? I am sad to say the same way...Some will be angered and want to take Christmas out of our vocabulary. They will want to kill Christ. Others will be to busy to respond. They have busy lives and to much to do to leave and follow. But there will also be those who hear and follow that little bit of Light. Whether they hear it in a Christmas presentation, a friend shares the Good News or they go to Church, they will hear and follow that until they reach the fullness of His Glory.
Where do we fall? How can we, who know the fullness of the Light, share that with those who are in a journey? Those are important questions to ask.

The birth announcement

I had a friend recently who had a baby and she sent a beautiful birth announcement. It was a cute little card with a picture of her baby boy. She sent it to all her friends and family so that everyone could see the baby and also share in the wonder and joy of his birth.

The Lord also had a birth announcement...his paper was the midnight black sky. His pen a brilliant star and his announcement was heralded by angels and received by the lowliest of men...shepherds.

Read in Luke 2: 8-20

" In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."
So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. "

It is astonishing that God's announcement of the birth of His son would be made to the lowly shepherds. They were considered the outcasts by the orthodox. They were unable to participate in the temple washings and ceremonies. Their occupation demanded that they spent most of their time in the fields tending the sheep. By the Jewish standard, they were considered unclean. But it was very likely that these were special shepherds. Already established at this time, were the Temple sacrifices that took place every morning and evening. More than likely, these shepherds were in charge of supplying the unblemished lamb for that sacrifice. It is a wonderful thought that the shepherds who looked after the Temple lambs were the first to see "The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." They were outcasts by the world standards....the lowliest of low. Yet, God showed favor on them and chose them to be the first to see the Savior.

The word frightened here comes from the Greek word phobos which denotes dread. It is the same word used when the disciples saw Jesus walk on the water in the storm. (Matt 14:24-26)

It is a fear that that rises as the unholy sees the Holy. The carnal comes face to face with the Divine. And just as Jesus told the disciples " Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid" Matt 14:27, so the angels tells the shepherds "do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy"

God sees us down to our core and He responds with mercy and grace.

The angels then tell the shepherds what they bring "it is good news of a great joy"

Joy here comes from the Greek word Charis, we get the word "charisma" which means "a gift of grace."...it is a kindness granted...a favor done without expectation of return. Charis stands in direct opposite of erga which is works. It is also interesting that in the Hebrew it is a word that paints a picture of a young sheep or lamb skipping or frisking with joy. How appropriate that the shepherds would understand this joy!

It is a joy that comes birthed from God Himself. Christ Himself...The Anointed One!

Everything about Christ's birth goes against our human reason. The King born in a animal feeding trough. His announcement sent to the lowliest, outcast shepherds. But isn't that what we have read about Him...His humility...His descent.

William Barclay shares the story of an European monarch who worried his court by often disappearing and walking incognito among his people. When he was asked not to do it for security's sake he said, "I can not rule my people unless I know how they live". It is our great joy to know we have a God who knows the life we live because He came into it. He claimed no special advantage over common, lowly men.

It is important to finally note that the shepherds "made known " what they had heard and seen. That should be our response also. What you have seen in your life...What you have heard in His word...we must go out and tell. In particular, this time of the year, ears are ready to hear. Hearts are being prepared...what holds you back?

Tomorrow we will look at the "wise men"

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I got some wonderful e-mail regarding the posts on Christ and yesterday's...

Ruth writes...

" Last weeks post on who Jesus is, were finely put together. To think that we have a king who came from Heaven, of all places, down to Earth to be a servant to us, and to die a most horrifying death for our sin. It touches my heart every time I think about it. I know what sins I use to carry and to then know that he paid it all already. Thank God for his grace!"

Kim wrote an encouraging e-mail with a wonderful quote...

"This morning a friend shared these verses with me which soothed my soul and I share them with you for whatever you are going through!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 New Living translation

"That is why we never give up. though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever!

Thanks for the e-mails!

He upholds me with His righteous hand

I don't mean to get off track on our look at the Birth of Jesus...but Saturday I needed a word of encouragement...do you know when you feel like you are doing battle with your mind and emotions? One side says keep going..."I will show you the way"....and the other says why? That is how I felt Saturday....an uphill battle....like swimming upstream and here comes a boulder that hits you in the heart...and you just want to get out of the water! Just want to hibernate...isolate yourself and just rest. Emotions are deceptive. Our hearts veer our perception of the truth if we don't guard against it.
Proverbs 4:20-23 says
"My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight
keep them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man's whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart
for it is the well spring of life."
What is the solution to our emotions and feelings? It is the "Word" or as noted here the "words" of God. If we are basing our emotions on anything but the truth, they will lead us astray, rob our joy, blur our security and cause us doubt. Solomon tells us "don't let them out of your sight...they are life...and health" Have you ever gotten sick in the stomach over your feelings? You have "pit" in you and you feel physically sick...that happens when we let our feelings and emotions get away from the truth.
That is what I was noticing Saturday...my feelings where getting the best of me or should I say the "worst of me". Many of us have been there before...we "feel" anxious. We imagine all sorts of things that would validate our emotions. But I want to show you something I discovered this weekend because I realized how weak and susceptible I had become once again to my "feelings"
First: I was talking to myself instead of listening to myself. You know what I am saying...I was talking and every sentence I spoke tried to validate what I was feeling. Instead I should have listened to myself. If I would have stopped to hear myself, I would have noticed I had a distorted view of the facts. Was I having a secret revelation? No...I was letting my hurt feelings and discouragement lead to imaginations that not only gave me the right to feel this way but increased those feelings. Do you do that? Let your heart lead your mind to what you think is true?
Second: I should have taken my thoughts upward instead of downward. Yes the further I let my thoughts go down, the further I was from God's truth. The deeper I went into my "flesh" the father I got from the Divine. I need to go upward in my thoughts. Upward means lead my thinking to what I know about God. His power...sovereignty, grace, provision, love. Instead I went to my needs, my rejection, my self-absorption.
Third: we go upwards when we know "the Word". John tells us in John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." Later in verse 14 John says, " The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us"...there it is! God with us...Emmanuel. John could have said "in the beginning was Grace" or "in the beginning was Love" which would also have been accurate. But through the Holy Spirit he wrote "in the beginning was the Word" Isn't that amazing...that is because in The Word we can find grace and love and power. Can I tell you "the Word" changed the world. The Word changed the course of history. If The Word can change that...it can change me! Aurthur Pink in his commentary on John says "The Scriptures reveal God's mind, express His will, make known His perfections and lay bare His heart. This is precisely what the Lord Jesus has done for the Father."
The Word is God's language to our hearts. When God wants to speak He displays Christ. Christ is the full manifestation of God...God once chose to speak through the prophets but know He speaks through Christ.
The Word clarifies confusion...it truthfully reasons with us...it imparts wisdom, purpose and it is a means of dispensing God's grace. That is why Paul tells us to "take every thought captive under the authority of Christ". He knows that emotions and feelings can lead us astray...He must have experienced that many times...but he pounded his body to press on...he separated truth from fiction...TRUTH is Christ.
Lastly: I must start every day in "The Word" for it will sanctify my heart and discipline it for the day. If I don't do this, I am assured that by noon I will be a basket case
I know some of you are going through troubled times...many are discouraged....saddened by loved ones...work is scarce...jobs are on the line...homes are being foreclosed. May I encourage you and myself as I say...Jesus is in the storm...He knows disappointment...He is not surprised by the economy...He knows your needs. He is on the throne dispensing grace and mercy with an open hand.
At the cross every disciple felt great disappointment ...grief...sadness. All their plans and hopes lay dead. What appeared to be the greatest defeat became the mightiest of victories. Through the cross came the crown...when hope was gone life was imparted...victory was had!
Wherever we are He will walk with us, cry with us, then lift our minds so our hearts will rise up from disappointment. He speaks to us in His Word...and the Word became flesh and dwelt with us. Jesus...Immanuel!
I hope this encourages you.