Go With Haste To Hear The Promise

Luke 2:16-20 KJV: Go with haste to hear the promise fulfilled by that baby born in a manger.

Merry Christmas

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.                                                                       (John 1:1-4 KJV)

In the beginning was the Word who is Jesus the Christ. What a wonder! The Word became flesh, born to us as a sweet baby child some 2000 years ago. His human life came to an end when he died on the cross for us. Yet, he lives! Jesus the Christ is eternal. He was in the beginning; is now; and will live eternally. 

Today we remember and celebrate his birth. We do this in many ways. Most people will put up an evergreen tree as a symbol of the eternal life of Jesus and of all who believe in him.

I have stuffed my turkey, baked the pies, and in a few minutes will be preparing to leave to worship, giving thanks to God for the Word who is also the life and the light of men; who is Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Merry Christmas

Pr. J.

Christmas; Epiphany; Three Kings

They followed a star.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. 

                                                                               (Matt 2:1-2, 7-11 KJV)

The season of Christmas ended yesterday with the observance of Epiphany or as known to some Three Kings Day. My little tree will hopefully come down today although it will be a very busy day. I have banana trees to move before some landscaping begins today. There is an online grocery order to pick up. And, I have to go shopping for a new washing machine. Mine quit! Yesterday was even busier; therefore, the tree is still lighting up the living room this morning.

The reading from Matthew tells us that the wise men traveled far to meet this king and to bring him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. I've always kind of thought me that if we are going to give gifts at all why not give them on the day that we celebrate the gift-giving wise men rather than Christmas. Christmas, when celebrated, I believe, should be focused solely on the precious gift that was given to us with his birth. Many churches don't even have a Christmas Day service so that families can be together, children can play with their toys, and moms and grandmoms can start cooking.  

However, despite the questionable background of our Christmas traditions, the season prior to Christmas does give us greater opportunity to remind the world that Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world, came into this world as a fully human baby, lived among us, and then died for us. What great gift could we possibly receive.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Christmas Love And Peace!

May we all live in peace and love not just on Christmas; but,
every day!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  

(Isaiah 9:6 KJV)

Merry Christmas!

I am running real late today on my blog. We are with two of our grandchildren in S.C.. There has been a lot of present opening and playing with gifts going on; plus a nap, too!

Christmas is a very special day and not just for the family get togethers and for the children excited over their gifts. It is most special because it a very major reminder of the humility of our Savior, Jesus Christ. True God, he came to us a true man, as a baby born in a most humble setting; in a barn. Born not to nobility; but, to a simple young woman wedded to a carpenter. 

Today is a reminder to the world; to all who would follow him, that it's not about things, it's about love for humanity. As this baby grew up and was willing to humble himself on the cross that we might live in God's gracious presence for all eternity; we too ought to be able to humble ourselves to at least attempt to love others as he loves no matter who they are.

May the love and peace of God be with us always.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

What's To Become Of The Child?

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.   (Luke 2:16-20 KJV)

Mary pondered this miracle birth; this miracle baby in heart. That's what mothers tend to do. Ponder the lives of their children in their hearts. They wonder if they will raise their children to grow up in the way they wish them to grow. They wonder if they have it in them to be good mothers. They wonder what their child will grow up to do or to be. Mothers who love their children ponder these things in their hearts. They love their children. They worry about them. They pray for them.

What sadness Mary would have known if she had known what would become of this beautiful baby boy cradled in her arms. He would grow up to be hanged on a cross for her sake and for the sake of all people. He would live very few years into adulthood and be executed for the crimes; the sins, of others.

While the shepherds shared the news of this birth of our Savior, Mary pondered these things within her heart. During this Christmas Holy Day may we all ponder the wonderful things that God in Christ Jesus has done for us!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:1-4 NIV

Merry Christmas! Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Today we celebrate God incarnate. What does that mean? The Word was God. The Word who is Jesus the Christ is God and our God loved us so much that he was willing to humble himself and come down to earth for us. He came as a baby to live among us; to live like us; to suffer the same trials and temptations. He came to die for us so that we might live. This is what we celebrate to today: the birth of Jesus; God incarnate. We celebrate the living God through whom the light shines. There is no darkness that can overcome the life; the light of God.

May your Christmas be filled with joy as you  live in the light of Jesus the Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J

My Eyes See Salvation

Mine Eyes Have Salvation In The Coming Of The Lord

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”  Luke 2:28-32 NIV

The struggle is over. Simeon's hopeful wait to see the promised Messiah was over when he held the baby Jesus in his arms. With his own eyes, he beheld the Lord. With his own arms, he held Jesus the Christ. His wait was over. Salvation had come. He was ready to depart this world in God's peace.

With the entrance of God incarnate into this world as a mere baby, salvation has indeed come to the world. I wait, many of us wait, for the day when all eyes will be opened to see the promised light that has already come into this dark world. He has come. Yet, many refuse to open their eyes, or their ears, or their hearts to the greater understanding that there is more. There is peace to those who see him. There is peace for those who hear him. There is peace for those who receive him into their lives.

For many faithful Christians, our struggles will be over, when all whom we care about can see with their own eyes the great love that God has for them and enter into his peace.

May God open the eyes of all who find themselves in darkness this day, that they might see and take hold of the salvation that has come to them in our Lord, Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Not Afraid!

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 that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:8-11 NIV)

Fear not! Don't be afraid! We read an awful lot in scripture that we are not to fear. We are not to be anxious about anything. Angels showing up and bringing you a message of peace actually would probably cause a little anxiety just in the fact that angels have shown themselves to you.

Yet, in the midst of anxious times, we can have peace. The angels proclaimed to the shepherds, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2: 14) This peace that God brings is kind of amazing. As we grow in the LORD, we will find that we do know a sense of peace no matter what kind of chaos is around us. It may still be troubling, but we can be at peace knowing that God has a good plan for it all.

The point is sometimes things happen in our lives that might cause us a little anxiety; but, we should know that God is with us and in that knowledge we can know peace no matter what is going on in our lives. Can you imagine a pregnant young woman and the man she was engaged to traveling cross country to sign up to pay taxes? When they get to their destination there is no place for them to stay so they stay in a barn where the baby is born. Can you imagine sitting in a field with the guys watching the sheep settle in for the night and you have this heavenly host singing in the heavens? I'm thinking it was probably, at least, a little unsettling. Yet, the shepherds listen to the angel and go and see this baby that is to bring peace to the world.

Anxiety and peace - sometimes you can have them almost simultaneously. Being anxious about something is human nature; yet, in the midst of unsettling times, we can know that God is with us and we can His peace that surpasses all understanding. Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J