12-13-15 The Virgin- Third Sunday in Advent

12/13- Third Sunday- Luke 1:27, 34-36; Matthew 1:18-22; Galatians 4:4 The Virgin
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
34“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”  35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^b the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.      Matthew 1:18 18This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about^d : His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet^e did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.    Galatians 4:4- 4But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.

Thoughts: The teacher asked, “So how are children born?”  “God makes them.”  Replied the little boy- and He was right.  The “who” behind the reality of Jesus’ life is not simply a human will or human love but the Divine hand.  The Virgin birth’s focus is not on the “how” question- the answer to that is “the Holy Spirit will overshadow you.” This is not a lesson in biology but a lesson on God being at work in a special, mysterious way.  Faith enables us to live with the mystery and trust that the answer of the “Who” question is God and not the usual suspects. 
       The Romans and the Jewish oppressors of the Christians spread the rumor that a Roman soldier had a "relationship* with Mary.  Instead of holiness they wanted evil to be labeled as the cause of Christ’s birth.  It is a sad thing, but common, that people in power can lie to put down those who they feel are a threat.  But God’s truth wins in the end.  The hope of the world is not in a lie, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to live with the mystery and uniqueness of your birth.

Activity: Show the most innocent person you know love and kindness today.  Text or email them a happy message.

Song: The virgin Mary had a baby boy, the virgin baby had a baby boy; the virgin baby had a baby boy, and the name of the boy is Jesus.
He come from the glory; he come from the glorious kingdom.  He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom.  O yes believer!  O yes believer! He come from the glory, He come from the glorious kingdom!

12/12/15- The Shepherds-

12/12- Luke 2:8, 15-20 The Shepherds
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 15When 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.” 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Thoughts: The shepherds were oblivious to Rome. They were not oppressed by the soldiers in the city.  They could see Herod’s fortress in the distance from the fields of Bethlehem.  But they were just ordinary folk trying to live out their lives.  Yet the shepherds were nervous and afraid.  They had little hope for anything good-  but the angel said they had good news for all people- even shepherds.  Today, the hope of Christ calms the fears of all- rich and poor and those closest to tragedy and those far away.  The shepherds went to investigate Jesus.  We should too, leaving our busy-ness behind. 

Prayer: Lord, shatter my busy-ness, my fears, my expectations of the status quo.  Come to us and abide with us O Lord Emmanuel.

Activity: Today remember those who have to work a lot (like the shepherds) to make their living- even the farmers, the fire fighters, police and law officers, the army soldiers far away.  Make a card for someone you know or for the local fire station thanking them for all they do. 

Song: There’s a star in the east on Christmas morn.  Rise up shepherd and follow.  It will lead to the place where Christ was born.  Rise up shepherd and follow.  Follow, follow, rise up shepherd and follow.  Follow the start of Bethlehem, Rise up shepherd and follow. 

If you take good heed of the angel’s words, rise up shepherd and follow, you’ll forget your flocks, you’ll forget your herds, rise up shepherd and follow.  Follow, follow; rise up shepherd and follow; Follow the star of Bethlehem, rise up shepherd and follow. 

12-11-15 The Angels

12/11- Luke 2:9-13 The Angels
9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,”Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to those on whom his favor rests.”

Thoughts: Christmas without angels would be hard to imagine.  But we restrain angels to the memory of Christmas instead of the mysterious reality of today’s Christmas.  The term “angel” means “messenger.”  These powerful messengers woke the shepherds up from their status quo. The sheperds’ response was to also be messengers by going and telling everyone they met about Jesus’ birth and what they saw.  We can be messengers of the good news as we share the hope we have in Jesus with others.  People need their fear shattered by those who bring good news- “Do not be afraid for I bring you good news of great joy for everyone.” 

Prayer: Lord, help me to be a good messenger of your great news. 

Activity: Angels were messengers of good news.  How can you encourage someone today?  Compliment and encourage someone to build them up.

Song: Hark the Herald Angels sing, glory to the newborn king!  Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.  Joyful all ye nations rise; join the triumph of the skies; with the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem.  Hark!  The Herald Angels sing- glory to the newborn king!

12/10- The Innkeeper at Bethlehem

12/10- Luke 2:6, 7- The Innkeeper
6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,7and 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.

Thoughts: There have been debates about whether the innkeeper in Bethlehem was a terrible person- kicking a pregnant woman out of the inn, or a merciful person finding a barn for her in crowded circumstances.  This passage does not judge, and we would do well to not judge either.  Yet, we can learn to be merciful to the homeless, the stranger, the lost- for we may be entertaining angels unawares.  Hospitality should be a part of who we are.  In tough times- like floods or terrorism it is even more important.  That shopkeepers opened their shops to strangers escaping the dust of falling buildings on 911 in New York makes them heroes.  That an innkeeper would open his door- even a barn door- to a pregnant woman on a crowded night- makes him also a type of hero. 

Prayer: Help me to be hospitable as you have been hospitable to me.  There is room in my heart for you, and help me to open my life to others.  

Activity: Who is left out this Christmas?  Do something for the homeless or flood victims today or tomorrow.

Song: O little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie? Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.  Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.  The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. 
O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray.  Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today! We hear the Christmas angels- the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

12/9- Augustus at Christmas

12/9- Luke 2:1-4 Caesar Augustus
1In 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^a Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to their own town to register.
      4So 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.

Thoughts: Caesar Augustus perhaps was one of the most powerful and wealthy men in the history of the world.  He instigated the Pax Romana- a time of relative peace for most of the Mediterranean world. He made a decree that everyone should be counted in order to procure his taxes.  Such a census also showed the world that the government was in control.  Yet such control was an illusion.  God used Caesar’s desire to control the world to control where His Son would be born- not in Nazareth but in the prophesied Bethlehem (Micah 5:2- prophesied 300 years before).  The mightiest king of history played a role in the birthplace of the King of kings. Terrorism interrupts the illusion of our peace, distraction, and control.  Yet, God is in control despite the illusion of the terrorist’s chaos.  His purposes and plans will be achieved. 

Prayer: Sovereign God, King of kings.  May my heart be yours.  I trust in you and your plan for life.  

Activity: It is important to teach our children and ourselves to pray for those in authority over us.  Take time to send a Christmas card to a politician, thanking them for their public service and telling them you have prayed for them.

Song: (to tune of “I Love to Tell the Story”)
All hail to God’s anointed, great David’s greater Son! All hail, in time appointed your reign on earth begun! You come to break oppression, to set the captive free, to take away transgression and rule in equity.

All rulers bow before you, and gold and incense bring.  All nations shall adore you, your praise all people sing. To you shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend. Your rule is still increasing; your rule is without end.  

12/8= John the Baptist

12/8- Luke 1:57-60 John the Baptist
57When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
     59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”

Thoughts: John the Baptist was called by Jesus “the greatest born among women.”  He was considered a prophet in the power and office of Elijah.  John did an amazing job. He humbled himself- saying “He [Jesus] must increase while I must decrease.”  This is great advice for all of us.  The word “John” means “God is gracious” and He was.  John did not shrink back from challenging even the soldiers who were oppressing the people to not be over-demanding just because they could.  He also did not hesitate to rebuke Herod the King- even at cost to his life.  He was not about to play it safe or be politically correct so as not to offend the powers that be.  John was the one who pointed to Jesus- “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29).”  We too can point to Jesus.  John was the one who prepared the way for Jesus’ coming.  He teaches us to be prepared to experience Christ by turning away from evil and turning toward God. 

Prayer: Lord, may I point to you the author and perfector of my faith.  

Activity: Prepare today to have a holy Christmas.  What do you need to do to make your Christmas more holy?  Can you get your children a religious gift as well as a regular gift?  Could you teach your children generosity by getting a gift for a Thornwell child? 

Song: Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary; pure and holy; tried and true; With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you. 

12/7- Day 8 Zechariah

12/7- Luke 1:12-22, 62-64 Zechariah
12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
19The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
      21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
          …62Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 

Thoughts: Zechariah, the priest, was a godly man in the midst of legalism on the one hand and hedonism on the other.  But he was a godly man who did not believe in the power and ability of God. He was a skeptical believer.  It is the skeptics and non-believers who only believe in a philosophy and system and do not account for God’s ability to change things and change people.  Even when face to face with an angel, Zechariah still doubted.  We should learn to believe that nothing is impossible with God- not even an old man and his wife having a baby.

Prayer: Lord, in you all things are possible.  Help me to believe and act on that belief.  Keep me from being hard hearted. 

Activity: If you know someone who doubts God, pray for them today.  As Zechariah needed to have faith and hope so do they.

Song: Watchman Tell us of the night, what its signs of promise are.  Traveler, what a wondrous sight: see the glory beaming star.  Watchman does its beauteous ray news of joy or hope foretell?  Traveler, yes; it brings the day, promised day of Israel.    

(Below Zechariah and the Angel- W. Blake)