READY FOR A NEW YEAR

How do you get ready for a new year?  There are Christmas decorations to put away; Thank you notes to write; Menus and shopping to be made; Some will watch a lot of football or go hunting.  

But to live a purposeful, hopeful, meaningful life there is a deeper task.  Resolve to be better by God's grace!

1) Put Him first- Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these (other) things will be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).  This means when the choice comes- make the choice to please God.  One obvious way to do this is in the way we attend worship. 
2) Abide In Him- Seek not just to know about God- but to dwell/abide/stay in Him.  John 15:7 says, "If you abide in me and my Word abides in you- ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you."  Again, these were Jesus words recorded by John who heard them.  How do you abide in Him?
A) Pray- Part of abiding is "Ask whatever you wish."  Think about what you would like for God to do with you this year.  Not just physically, but deep inside- with your relationships.
B) The Word- "and my Word abides in you" is part of abiding in Him.  Knowing the content and the general meaning of scripture is important in order to abide in Him.
C) Bear fruit- he next verse  (John 15:8) says "This is to my Father's glory that you bear much fruit showing yourselves to be my disciples." We bear fruit by having the fruit of the Spirit manifest in our lives (love, joy, peace ,patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control).  But we also bear fruit as a fruit tree does by multiplying the faith we have in others. 
D) Love- John 15:9- says, "As the father has loved me so I have loved you- now remain/abide/stay in my love.  Abiding in God's love is the same as abiding in Him.  He then says, "Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this- to lay down his life for his friends."  So Jesus sacrificed for us.  I am reminded of the Texas church shooting where Tony Wallace stood up to the shooter (who had received food from the church on other occasions) and took the shot of the shooter giving time for others to take cover and for the volunteer security to stop things.  Tony sacrificed himself, said witnesses, so that others could go free. 
At the beginning of the New Year we can easily get into self-improvement, but the best self-improvement may involve self-sacrifice for others.  Love shows itself in such things. 

I am reminded of the great verse (Luke 2:52) that says, "Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, in favor with God and others."  This outlines how we might seek to grow- mentally, physically (exercise/diet), spiritually, and socially.  

Get ready to have a great vision for 2020.  Let God be your vision.  Fix your eyes on Him, remain in Him, so that your joy may be complete!

Prayer: Lord, help me to seek you, find you, and remain in you in the coming year.  

The Innkeeper's Helper

Merry Christmas!  The devotion today was the 11:00 soliloquy sermon.

THE INNKEEPER’S HELPER Luke 2:1-8, 15-20  Preached at Lake Murray Presbyterian’s 11:00 service.
This is a soliloquy or narrative sermon in which the preacher is a character in the Christmas story. 

The Inn was crowded that night long ago.  The streets were crowded too.  A census was to be taken by Roman law so that we could pay them taxes.  Everyone was to go back to their ancestral home.  Many claimed David as King and David was born here in Bethlehem.  We swelled from about 3,000 people to about 50,000 overnight.  There was no room for anyone. 
   I was the Innkeeper’s helper.  In fancier hotels I would be called a concierge.  But here I was just a helper.   I carried bags.  I fed the livestock and placed them for the night.  I brought the water in for people- for there was only one well in the center of town.  I gave directions. My job was to do whatever would help the Innkeeper and whatever would help our guests to be comfortable. 
    Most people came early to the inn.  We had the rich people, and the nobles.  We ran a respectable inn there were no harlots or gamblers allowed.  The inn filled up early.  On the second day a man and his woman came to the inn late.  They had the normal price for a room, but by then everything had gone up.  There were really no rooms left.  No one could make early reservations so it was first come first served.  But besides that the woman was pregnant.  But they were not quite married.  We did not let couples who were not married sleep in our inn together anyway.  But that really didn’t matter- there was no real room. 
    The innkeeper told me to show them where the stable was while he manned the desk.  I got an oil lamp and showed them.  It wasn’t great- but it was better than sleeping out on the street.  Besides, it looked like she was going to have a baby any minute.   They seemed honest- I didn’t have to worry about their stealing anything.  They just wanted a private place where they could sleep.  They had come the 60 mile journey from Nazareth in the hill country. 
    I marveled at their patience.  They had traveled far on a hard road, and she looked so tired and exhausted.  Yet she was kind and thanked me for showing them the stable, and making room for them beside the food trough.  The man had more patience than I could think for someone claiming that they were from the king’s line.  He was not demanding, only asking and was considerate of me- a poor innkeeper’s helper.  He asked me my name and seemed to take time to be concerned for me- just a helper.
     The stable was a cave in the hill.  It was ideal for animals- with a constant temperature.  I brought them a few oil lamps because it was dark.  After they got settled down, I got them water from the town’s well in the center of town.  It was dark when I went- after the meal was served in the inn, but they were very grateful for fresh water.  I brought them a little bread left over from the meal that night.  Much later I would hear that this man claimed to be living water and the bread of life.  Hard to imagine bringing water and bread to a baby who would later claim to be living water and bread.
      That night, there was a ruckus.  Some shepherds came to the inn looking for a baby in a manger.  They said and angel told them that the real king on David’s throne was born that night.  I told them where the couple was that were about to have a baby.  I was more than excited to lead them back to it.  The baby had come.  There was a stillness over the cave and the animals.  The father and mother looked very tired but appreciative of our coming. 
      The shepherds went everywhere telling all the people what they had seen and heard.  I couldn’t keep the news to myself either.  The innkeeper got a little mad at me, but in the end thought it was good for business as long as the Romans didn’t find out.  To this day, I am still telling the story- a baby was born that night.  The inn, Bethlehem, the world has not been the same since.  I have not been the same.  I am telling you the news just as I told it then, for I hope you too will not be the same.  Each of us is an Innkeeper to decide if there is room for Jesus in our hearts and lives.  

Christmas Eve

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.  And we are in him whom who is true- even in his Son Jesus Christ,  He is the true God and eternal life.  (1 John 5:20)

It is Christmas Eve- a time of great anticipation and the final countdown.  Maybe the relatives are coming.  Maybe the food has to cook.  Maybe it is time to get ready for church.  In some ways, Christmas Eve, for me, is more exciting than Christmas itself.  The great anticipation is even more exciting than the coming.  So waiting for the sun to come up- and when it first comes may seem more thrilling than when it is shining at noon day. 
The good news is that we don't have to do some liturgical pretense that Jesus has not come until Christmas Day 2019.  He has come and comes to us every day.  We are celebrating the greatest birthday for God became man.  He left his comfortable home for us- in utter humility.  While we wait, He has already come. 
Once I was waiting to meet someone at the airport I had never met.  He was a theologian of the first measure and was famous in Europe.  I was sent there by my professor to meet him and I held up a sign with his name.  I waited and waited, but his flight had arrived early (this was before cell phones and google abilities to check on flights), and he had already made his way to the seminary.   I was waiting on someone who had already come and was quite frustrated and impatient for nothing.  God has come and we can have peace. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you have come to light up my darkness 

What to Say About St. Nick?

Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.  (1 Corinthians 1:11)

Thoughts: Many have wondered what they should tell their children about ST. Nick.  We may try to ignore this- but it is so steeped in our culture that children will ask us about Santa Clause.
There is no ultimate answer.  I do not buy that it is a lie to tell children about Santa Clause any more than it is a lie to tell children a fictional story.  It can become a problem if we give St. Nick divine properties to the point where Jesus is ignored and Santa Clause is the great wish giver- who see us when we're sleeping and makes sure we're good for goodness sake!  But going around putting out other's joy is not a nice thing either.  I can remember people telling me there was no such thing- even when I suspected it (I think I was about seven when I heard my parents go up in the attic 12/24- which they never did).
   But there is another alternative.  I think parents need to let their kids down easily from the culture's version of Santa Clause with the historical accounts of Nicholas of Myra who became St. Nicholas who became Sinter Klauss or Santa Clause.  Here is a good summary link to his life.   Nicholas of Myra (now in Turkey) was a generous and devout man.  The earliest accounts of him have his parents die early and he gave his money away to the poor.  One very early story says he saved three girls who were about to lose their home and be put on the street or be forced to be prostitutes keep their home by putting coins in their shoes at night.  It is said that Nicea (325) not only determined the date of Easter but also discussed the date of Christmas which was officially adopted 354.   Nicholas is recorded as having been at this council (makes since as he was alive during this time and lived not far away from Nicea).  If so, St. Nick would have discussed or voted on the date to celebrate Christmas. 
The stories of flying reindeer, beaming down a chimney, going around the world in a few hours are extended imagination.  All the North Pole elves and toy making legends might need to be debunked too.  But the root of the St. Nicholas story is apparently very real and worth telling to children who are getting just old enough to not believe the fake additions and embellishments. 

There is a children's book: "The Real Saint Nicholas" which can help.  There also is a book by William Bennett on "The True Saint Nicholas and why He Matters to Christmas." 

PRAYER: Lord, give me wisdom, transparency, honesty, but also awareness of a sense of mystery around your coming.  Give wisdom to parents to speak good and right words to children. 

Accountable to the King of kings

11Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war...16And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

6For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given,

and the government will be upon His shoulders.

And He will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7Of the increase of His government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on the throne of David

and over his kingdom,

to establish and sustain it

with justice and righteousness

from that time and forevermore. (Isaiah 9)

THOUGHTS: Last night the House of Representatives, in a partisan/divided vote, impeached the president.  I remember hearing some before the 2018 elections say that if Democrats controlled the House they would find a way to impeach the president but I didn't believe them.  I was optimistic that our country could find a way to not be so divided, but I was wrong. 
I listened to much of the debate on the House floor.  It does seem to me that President Trump messes up- or in preacher terms "he sins."  I do not know if he broke the law, that is up for others to decide.  One common thing I heard was "No one is above the law."  I heard it from many about Trump and I heard it from the Republicans about the Democrats.  This is certainly a truth that is found in scripture.  As many patriots said during the American Revolution, "There is no King but Jesus."  We are all accountable for not just spinning the truth, but there is a Truth to which we are accountable. 
Today, we should all be in prayer for our nation.  We should pray for God's mercy, guidance, and help.  We should pray that the divisions would be healed.  Jeremiah told his people, "Pray for the land in which you live.  For if it prospers you will prosper."  This is echoed in 1 Timothy 2:1 says, "I urge first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quite lives in all godliness and holiness."  

In South Sudan, there has been a perpetual civil war since the 1950s.  People are quick to point out the sins of others and have little grace to enable unity.  The war has meant famine, schools destroyed, needless deaths and brutality of all kinds.  Divisiveness should be avoided at all costs.  "Little children let us love one another for love comes from God."  (1 John 4:7).  

PRAYER: Lord, help us to have peace with each other, with those we disagree with, and with you.  

 (BBC picture)

Infertility and a Baby Born

Christmas is about a baby being born.  There is much talk about the benefits of having a baby especially at Christmas.  This can be especially hard on those who cannot- for whatever reason- have a baby.



There are three means of comfort for those unable to have children.
1) God is able to perform a miracle and open up a closed womb.  So Mary's cousin, Elizabeth, had a child in her old age (her husband didn't want to believe it- it was so impossible).  Mary herself was a virgin who had a child.  But other examples- Sarah had Isaac in her old age.  Rebekah, Hannah all had children in desperate answer to their prayers.  God still can do the impossible.
2) God gives us strength to accept where we are in life.  Patience while we wait but also He is the only one who can help us to be content.  This is not the easy road.  Those who walk in this way will have to call on God again and again and again.  Yet often those who do not have children have done much good.  I think of Anna who welcomed Jesus in the Temple.  Historically, many who have not had children have been great leaders in faith- Teresa of Avila, Mother Teresa and others.  God is able to help us cope. 
3) God calls us to adopt or foster children.  There is such a terrible need for loving Christian parents to adopt or foster children- not for money but out of a desire to raise a child for Christ.  Thornwell Home and Epworth Children's Home, Bair,  Bethany Christian Services have programs to help.  Joseph fostered/adopted Jesus Christ and is the best example of this.  God is able to help us adapt. 

7He raises the poor from the dust

and lifts the needy from the dump

8to seat them with nobles,

with the princes of His people.

9He settles the barren woman in her home,

as a joyful mother to her children.

Hallelujah!  (Psalm 113:7-9)

God does not always raise the poor from the dust, nor does He always bring children to "the barren woman in her home."  Babies are indeed miracles and gifts from God.  If everyone had babies seamlessly it would not be perceived as a gift, a blessing, a miracle.  God's call upon each of our lives is different.  Some are called to be single.  Others married.  Others married with children.  Others see their grandchildren or great-grandchildren.  Some have disabled children.  Some have miscarriage after miscarriage.  Sadness is mixed with joy on this side of heaven.  Life- whatever God gives us- is a gift in and of itself.  Not all are blessed in the same way- which adds variety and even beauty.  Some are weighed down with the cares of this world- even husbands and children- and it is hard to serve Christ.  God's call to us varies.  But all who believe can still rejoice in the birth of one baby- Jesus.  

PRAYER: Lord, we remember today those who do not have children.  We ask that you would grant them the peace of the Prince of Peace.  Grant them grace to still be able to serve and put their hope in you.  

A Personal God in an Impersonal World

The Word became flesh and lived for awhile among us.  (John 1)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with us.  But we have one who was made like us in every way.  (Heb. 4:15)

“A Personal God in an Impersonal World”  John 1:1-5; Hebrews 4:15

     The world is a bit less personal today with the illusion that it is becoming more personal.  For example- the new iphones will open with a picture of your face- sounds really personal doesn’t it?  But basically it reduces the contours of your face to a numeric code- so that a computer could read it.  Reducing your face to a number is a bit impersonal.
     If you watch TV on cable or Direct TV or satellite or the internet- what you watch is recorded.  You will get advertising, mailings, even emails based on what you apparently liked.  The illusion is that you may think that this is personal, but it is just a way for them to get more money out of you. 
     The ability of computers to analyze us and supposedly “help” us and even outwit us is amazing.  So in May of 1997 the reigning world chess champion, Kasparov, was beaten by IBM’s Big Blue computer.  So The world’s most complicated game “The Go Game” was designed by the Chinese with more variables than atoms.  In 2017 the world champion was built by a Google designed computer.  This has the attention of man governments for it means that machines can teach themselves- and teach rapidly. 
     If you were to go to prison they would give you a number.  You would lose your name in order to be a number.  These mega computers can track billions of people with trillions of bits of data and reduce you to a number.   But let me tell you this- you are more than your social security number or your drivers license number or your passport number or your credit card numbers.  Maybe to some bank or the government you are just a number, but to God you are much, much more.  God made you individually, and knows you.  He has a plan for your life.   If Google can take a picture of your house and show what kind of car you have in the drive way, so God who is much greater than a computer can know you, and more than that love you. 
      The world will tell you that reality is just atoms- just money and stuff.  If that is true, then we are all just atoms and robots are just as valuable as humans. 
      Jesus came to show us that there is another way than just what we can see.  So a baby can change the world.  So a backwoods small town and a poor stable can change the world.  So twelve fishermen can change the world.   Jesus’ birth teaches us once more that it is more important to walk by faith than by sight. 
     In an impersonal world that values lust over love,  God comes to show us what love really is.  He does not just send an angel though He did that.  He came Himself- personally to give a personal love. 
God became vulnerable- sacrificing comfort to show that there is much more to life than things. 
     Robots can tell you “I am sorry.”  But they do not mean it.  They cannot feel it.  God, however, does feel.  He who made our emotions describes Himself in scripture as “Love.”  God is love.  He showed us this- in coming down for us to sympathize with us in our sorrows and weaknesses.  Our passage says that we do not have a great high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.  But God came down to be like us.  He is The Word made flesh.  He is God with skin on. 
      Next year is an election year.  Already I have been getting robo calls.  It is amazing that I have gotten calls from the president, a senator, and a governor, and several candidates on both sides.  I would love to say that they all know my name- but I am very much aware they don’t know who I am.  I am just a number to them.  But I know I am not just a number to God.  God came personally to tell me this.  When I look at the life of Jesus I see a person who stopped to help to heal to strengthen and inspire.  He shows us what God is like.  He called people by name when he had never been introduced to them- like Nathanael- who was so amazed that He called him by name and told him what he had been doing ahead of time that he became a disciple.  Or like Zaccheaus who was far from God in his heart- but Jesus called him by name when  Zaccheaus was up in a fig tree.  Zaccheaus was so inspired he corrected his wrongs, gave to the poor and invited Jesus in.  Today we celebrated the baptism of Caroline and Harper.  In baptism we remember Jesus knows us personally, by name.  You who are baptized know Him by name too.  We do not just know about God- impersonally- but we know Him and love Him.  Jesus loves you- know this.  You are not a number to be manipulated – but a person to be loved.  He came as a baby to show you this. 

Gloom is Gone

1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:

2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;and increased its joy.

The people rejoice before You as they rejoice at harvest time, as men rejoice in dividing the plunder.On those living in the land of the shadow of death,

a light has dawned.a

3You have enlarged the nation

4For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden,

the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.

5For every trampling boot of battle and every garment rolled in blood

will be burned as fuel for the fire.

6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,

and the government will be upon His shoulders.

And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness

from that time and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

THOUGHTS:
Zebulun and Naphtali were the northernmost border tribes around the Sea of Galilee.  They were constantly being overrun by the Canaanites, Hittites, Philistines, Syrian, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans.  Even today the northernmost territories of Israel are buffers for the south and face barrages of rocket fire and guerrilla infiltration.  It was a dark, gloomy place to live.  This was the place that Jesus grew up- Nazareth in the hill country above Galilee.  Isaiah is saying the Messiah will be there- a child will come from there who will be a ruler bringing peace.  The peace Jesus brought did not come about by an army following him.  He will break the captive chains and bars.  Instead He will bring freedom and peace.  Jesus is the Prince of Peace but it is not brought about by any physical army but by those who follow His ways of love and peace.  

    On our rainy dark day and night today, I appreciate that Christ is the light shining in darkness.  A child is usually a symbol of hope to come- a new start.  Jesus is the child born to give us hope in our dark gloomy world. 

Prayer: Lord, let me believe in your hope and trust in you.  

Sun rising over the earth. 

The Robot on the Shelf

 24God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)

35The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be bornd will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35) 

THOUGHTS: There are those who say there is nothing but this life- there is no spirit, there is no soul- we are just atoms.  Therefore, though we are complicated, we are just material.  The question should be asked then, why should one atom be kind to the next?  Is there some force out there that indicates kindness is a better way for atoms to live?  I think the answer is that there is no ultimate reason for love without a God of love.  If you have no God, the reason for kindness, love, and grace are a house of cards with no foundation or basis.  in our time, the question could be raised, why should humans be favored over robots/AI.  Machines are made to serve humans (like a kind of angel), but if one atom has the same value as the next- and there is no soul- then why should humans not serve a higher intelligence once AI passes human ability (like the grand chess master, Kasparov, was defeated by IBM's deep blue May 1997 or the Go Game champion in 2017).  
     We feed materialism with selfishness and greed.  When Christmas loses meaning to only giving presents it becomes empty and death's sadness (the empty spot at the table) overwhelms the good news of Christ's coming to give life.  But generosity mirrors what God did in giving Himself at Christmas. 
     Without the human soul- and therefore without a God who makes it, there is no ultimate reason to love or have purpose.  This is not just a primitive archaic idea- it is an idea that we really know deep down today.  We are worthwhile- made in God's image.  Christ came in the Spirit to free our spirits.  He came out of love to show us love is the best way- loving God and neighbor.  

PRAYER: Lord, may my spirit be inspired and linked to your Spirit.  Help me to love my neighbor because you have taught it in word and example by coming down for me.   

Spirit vs. Machine in Advent

The Word was made flesh and lived for awhile among us.  We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son , who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  (John 1:14)

In advent, the spiritual intersects clearly with the physical.  So God who is Spirit becomes flesh.  I saw a piece Frontline AI that speaks about how artificial intelligence is replacing humans.  So the world chess champion was beaten consistently by IBM's Big Blue Machine.  So in 2017 the GoogleGo computer beat the world champion Go Game player by seemingly making a move that had never been made before (move 37), winning 4 of 5 games.  It appears that machines can be taught to teach themselves now- almost creativity.  Many machines are replacing jobs (think how many cashiers have been replaced at Walmart), and some new high model cars are basically driving themselves (some semis on I-10 are driving themselves safer than when humans drove).  This sounds a bit like "Brave New World" or "The Matrix."
      In China it appears that cameras with facial recognition are keeping track of millions of people to prevent social unrest.  In the name of the "common good" many controlling things may be done. 
      Whenever such machinist revolutions happen, there is some exhilaration but also some angst.   There is exhilaration that we will not be stuck doing menial things.  But there is angst that we may not really be needed or wanted.  When the Industrial Revolution hit it brought us out of a lot of famine and poverty but it also brought depression.  When weavers were replaced with machines it brought poverty back in the textile south.  When over half the automobile assembly line is robots- that means a lot of people are out of good paying jobs.  While no one supposedly misses the telephone switchboard operators, if you were an operator you might miss it.
     But the other angst is the angst of the soul.   We have been taught that we are worthwhile if we are productive.  But if productivity does not need a human touch, then we may want to challenge our criteria for worth.  The Bible says we are worthwhile because we are made in the image of God.  We are given an everlasting soul that no machine will ever have.  The soul is related to the heart that is able to love and feel.  While things may run more efficiently with a machine it cannot be run more gracefully or lovingly.  We are also worthwhile because Christ came and died for us.  God so loves us enough to come and to sacrifice Himself for us.  That gives us value- by the ultimate Creator.  We are not just sophisticated atoms and fleshly machines.  Machines can understand the commercial value of Christmas- they can wrap and ship faster than humans.  But they cannot understand the joy of love.

Prayer; Lord, Help me to see my value in your eyes.  Thank you that you became flesh for me out of love.

His Angel

My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. (Daniel 6:22) Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me..." (Acts 12:11) "He replied, 'The LORD, before whom I have walked faithfully, will send his angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you can get a wife for my son from my own clan and from my father's family. (Genesis 24:40) Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Heb. 1:14) THOUGHTS: About 15 times the scriptures speak of "His angel."  God is the one who is in charge of the angels.  So he sent Gabriel to speak to Zechariah and Mary to tell them their special babies were on the way.  It was His angel that shut the lion's mouths.  That would have been interesting to see.  It was His angel that opened the gates of the jail cell for Peter and allowed Peter to walk right past the guards.  Abraham was convinced "His angel" would go before Eleazar to help him find a wife for his son.  So the angel of God guides, directs, rescues, speaks, opens and shuts (and more).  The name of the angel is unimportant here.  It is God who sends this angel to serve and help His people.  The angel is the instrument , the servant who serves the people of God.  During advent there is talk of angels and symbols of angels on trees, cards, lights and more.  But really, there are angels around all the time.  An ancient liturgy reminds us that we worship not by ourselves: "Therefore joining our voices with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven who forever sing this song of praise:  Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of power and might.  Heaven and earth are full of your glory.  Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."  When we worship- the communion of saints is also a communion with the angels above. Prayer: Lord, send your angel this Christmas to bring peace to our strife and hope to our families and land.  Shut the mouths of the evil ones and may your praise be heard throughout our land and the whole earth.

The Angel's Light

18“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

19“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” (Luke 1:19)

26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings,b you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.c ” (Luke 1:26)

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  (Luke 2:9)

Thoughts: Gabriel was an archangel found in Daniel 8 & 9 (apocalyptic literature).  Michael is called an archangel (Jude 1:9);  Deutero-canonical literature mention Raphael, Uriel, and Metatron.  1 Thessalonians 4:16 speaks of the Lord coming back at the voice of the archangel.  Angels are not dead human beings but separate kinds of beings.  While the Bible seems to indicate that each person has an angel (Acts 12:15 et al) each person is not an angel in themselves.  Angels are servants sent to minister or serve others.  The halo idea around an angels head- is sometimes just a way to say they are special.  But others who have said they have seen angels, point out that there can be a glow as they reflect the literal glory of God.  In Luke 2:9 it was when the angel came that there was a glow of the glory of God not only around the angel but around the shepherds- indicating something special was happening.  

     The second advent candle lights the angel or light candle.    God sends angels to deliver messages or encourage the discouraged.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for angels .  I join my coive with thiers to you as worship.  

8But about the Son He says:

“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever,

and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.

9You have loved righteousness

and hated wickedness;

therefore God, Your God, has anointed You

above Your companions with the oil of joy." (Hebrews 11:8-9)

16On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev. 19:16)

THOUGHTS: In the New Testament Jesus, the Son,  is also seen as the King.  No angel is given the throne.  He is the power above all powers.  Long ago David was promised that he would always have a descendant on the throne (2 Samuel 7).  Jesus, who is eternal, will sit on a throne that no general, king, or army could take away.  He is the king who was, is, and is to come because He is alive. 
The importance of the justice and righteousness of Jesus is brought out.  Justice is his scepter- which means a symbol of the kingdom.  Justice is the idea of fairness and judging properly- without prejudice or influence.  Jesus is not influenced by reputation or bribery. 
He also is noted for loving righteousness.  Righteousness is not self-righteousness- but it is doing what is right in God's eyes consistently.  Righteousness is not perfection but it is doing the right thing consistently. 
The blessing of joy will come to Jesus for his love of doing what is right and just.  

PRAYER: Lord, you are the king of kings and Lord of lords.  Let me honor you in my life as the king and Lord.  

The King Comes Back

This will be part of the sermon tomorrow 12/8 at LMPC

6For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given,

and the government will be upon His shoulders.

And He will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7Of the increase of His government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on the throne of David

and over his kingdom,

to establish and sustain it

with justice and righteousness

from that time and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6) 

Why do the nations ragea

and the peoples plot in vain?

2The kings of the earth take their stand

and the rulers gather together,

against the LORD

and against His Anointed One:b

3“Let us break Their chains

and cast away Their cords.”

4The One enthroned in heaven laughs;

the Lord taunts them.

5Then He rebukes them in His anger,

and terrifies them in His fury:

6“I have installed My King on Zion,

upon My holy mountain.”

7I will proclaim the decree

spoken to Me by the LORD:

“You are My Son;

today I have become Your Father.c

8Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance,

the ends of the earth Your possession.

9You will break themd with an iron scepter;

You will shatter them like pottery.e ”

10Therefore be wise, O kings;

be admonished, O judges of the earth.

11Serve the LORD with fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

12Kiss the Son, lest He be angry

and you perish in your rebellion,

when His wrath ignites in an instant.

Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. (Messianic- Psalm 2)

31Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. 32He 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, 33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” (Luke 1- Gabriel to Mary)

THOUGHTS:  There is a part of us that wants someone to rule over us.  We want fairness, justice, peace, provision.  This is a hope expressed in Isaiah 9.  There is another part of us that doesn't want anyone to rule over us.  We want to be captain of our soul.  But to fight against God- the King of kings is a losing battle that only leads to frustration.  In our day we discount the idea of a king.  We do not need a political king but we do need someone to turn our chaos into meaning.  God did this in creation.  Jesus brought healing when He came.  God is the only one who can turn meaninglessness and chaos into hope, purpose, and meaning.
     The angel Gabriel told Mary that God would put His son on the throne of David.  It is a promise that God will come back to bring peace (as the Prince of Peace), and joy to people who were in darkness.
      Once King Charles I was deposed from the throne of England and killed.  His son, Charles II fled to Scotland where the Scottish Presbyterians tried to give him back his throne but they were defeated in battle and Charles II fled to Scotland. After Cromwell died England descended into chaos and division.   But nine years later the English begged this king to come back.  The Carolinas were named after Charles and Charleston was also named after him by the Lord's Proprietors to whom Charles gave the land.  Charles was not a perfect king and pales in comparison to the King of kings.  But the hopes of the king coming back and resolving chaos were met.   

     The real question for us is will we put Jesus on our heart's throne.  

(Charles II Coronation Procession)

Fear not.  For behold I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be for all the people.  For to you this day is born a savior who is Christ the Lord. 

THOUGHTS:  Darkness brings mystery, uncertainty and a bit of fear.  When the lights are out and I go for a cup of water in the middle of the night my fear is that I will trip over a toy or a dog Frisbee.  I am also a bit uncomfortable that if I turn on the light I will still be blinded with the adjustment my pupils make. 
    The shepherds that first Christmas were probably blinded by the light.  Some of the great paintings depicting this event show the shepherds with their arms over their eyes in a combination of fear and blindness.  But the phrase "fear not" is given many times in the birth narratives of Jesus.  When the angel came to Joseph and Mary he said the same thing (Lk. 2:30;  Mt. 1:20).  The angel told Zechariah to not be afraid (Lk. 1:13).  The message is clearly to all of us- do not be afraid.  There are tidings of comfort and joy available to those who believe.  The fear is not that we will always be comfortable (after all the baby was born in a manger to poor parents).  But the deep inner fear of purposelessness, apathy and lack of love is gone.  The dark way of life has a ray of hope shining in.  Jesus has come to bring peace, abolish fear, and abolish darkness.  In our world of uncertainty there is hope.

Prayer:  Lord, give me grace to not be afraid but to live in your light and hope