|
I pray that you have a blessed Christmas. That baby was born to save you! WOW!
- dr joe
|
|
MERRY
CHRISTMAS!
Most people who take the birth of Jesus seriously are somewhat disturbed by the incredible secularization and commercialization of this sacred day. Becky and I started a tradition when the kids were little to help them remember that the gifts are given to celebrate the greatest gift of all. Before any gifts are opened on Christmas morning, we take turns reading the Christmas story from the gospel of Luke. Below I have pasted in the parts that relate directly to Christmas (leaving out the Elizabeth part). Years ago, when their attention span was like 4 seconds, we forced them to listen to at least Luke 2:1-20. Now that their attention span has advanced to about 8 seconds, we read the whole thing. Actually, recent Christmas mornings they have asked to read it. I think it's because they're afraid I'll read too slow or start sermonizing about a verse here or there. We then light a candle on a cake or brownie or something and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Only then are they released to open gifts.
Luke 1:26-56 and 2:1-40 NIV
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, (27) to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. (28) The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." (29) Mary was greatly troubled (read terrified) at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. (30) But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, (Angels must not be little winged babies like they are portrayed in our popular culture.) Mary, you have found favor with God. (31) You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. (32) He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, (33) and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." (34) "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" (35) The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (36) Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. (37) For nothing is impossible with God." It's hard to remember verse 37 in our everyday lives. I think people get most confused because they expect God to do the impossible stuff that they want Him to do. He does the impossible stuff He does to carry out His plans. When we are following His plan, we can see these miracles in our lives. When we're following our own plan, we may see miracles, just not when and what we were expecting. (38) "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Is this the response we have when God puts us in a frightening situation? Then the angel left her. (39) At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, (40) where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. (41) When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb (So Cool!), and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (42) In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! (43) But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (44) As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. (45) Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (46) And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord (47) and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, (48) for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, (49) for the Mighty One has done great things for me- holy is his name. (50) His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. (51) He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. (52) He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. (53) He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. (54) He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful (55) to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers." If only I had half of Mary's faith. No wonder she was "highly favored" by God (56) Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Luke 2:1-40 NIV 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.) This event has been confirmed through archeology to be historically correct. (3) And everyone went to his 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 (feeding trough), because there was no room for them in the inn. God purposely came to earth in the most unassuming, humble way possible. The King of Kings born in a barn. Any doubt that He can relate to any of us? Any doubt that He came to save even the poorest among us? Any doubt that material things are irrelevant to Him? Any doubt that His ways are not our ways and that we cannot fathom His plans? (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. See what I mean about the angels. (10) 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. (11) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ 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, and on earth peace to men 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." Country folk, farmers, take note: The announcement by the heavenly host of the savior's birth was not made to the kings or religious leaders or to the "Wall Street" of the time. This, the most important announcement ever, was made to some "rednecks" who were "out-standing in their fields"! You might be a redneck if the heavenly host appears to you Praising God and Singing! (If any of you city folk are offended, put a helmet on, I'm just kidding around.) (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. (21) On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. (22) When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (23) (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), (24) and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." (25) Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (26) It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. (27) Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, (28) Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: (29) "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. (30) For my eyes have seen your salvation, (31) which you have prepared in the sight of all people, (32) a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (33) The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. (34) Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, (35) so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." (36) There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, (37) and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. (38) Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (39) When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. (40) And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
|
Questions?
Please e-mail me with any questions about today's scripture message or anything related to the Bible or Christianity.
I might not know the answer but I'll try real hard to find it. | |
 Announcements
Lighthouse Wesleyan Church will have
Christmas Eve Service at 4PM Thursday at the Springwater Firehall then Sunday service at the Springwater FireHall at 10AM.
I'd love to see you there!We Just Got a Shipment of Becky's Book: "Hospitality in a Nutroll" Email now if you want a signed copy.
|
|
|
