Advent Thought #22 - December 21

No nativity is complete without the man hand-picked by God to be the step-father of His Son, namely, Joseph. What a responsibility! I often wonder what kind of thoughts ran through Joseph's mind as Jesus was growing? What kind of man was he?

Very little is said about Joseph in Scripture. Most of what we know about Joseph is found in Matthew's account of the story. 

His genealogy was impeccable. 

His reputation was faultless.

In the spiritual arena, Joseph's way of thinking, feeling, and acting were "wholly conformed to the will of God" (meaning of the Gk word, dikaios, translated "just").

Physically, he was a strong man - a carpenter by trade (my husband comes from a line of carpenters, so this I know by experience, though, poor Bay, tends to be the black sheep of the family when it comes to building).

In matters of the heart, he wrestled to do right. It's obvious, where Mary was concerned, Joseph was torn between "law" and "love"...but above all, he was "unwilling to put Mary to shame" (that speaks of a pretty tender soul).

He was quick to obedience, yet patient in practice. As soon as the angel spoke to him in a dream, Joseph believed... His belief turned to quick action. True belief always moves to quick action. This is repeated about Joseph with every move he and Mary made.

On the other hand, Joseph was a patient man...He was willing to wait on intimacy. To me this speaks of great love, not just for God, but for his wife. After all, one of the first attributes listed for true love is patience.

These are my favorite God-words about Joseph:

When Joseph awoke form sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son.

Matthew 1:24

If I'm a Joseph, then I'm willing to wrestle with tension that often comes between "law" and "love." I am patient in practice as I wait on God's timing, but quick to obedience when God speaks. 

Am I a Joseph?

Are you?

Advent Thought #21 - December 20

I collect nativity scenes. I have them from all over; and they are placed all over my house. I enjoy putting them out every Christmas. Some years I hold back on just how many get unwrapped; I go for simplicity. Other years, they all go up. No matter how many go on the shelves, as I put the figures in place, there is a question that seems to hang over my head: Who am I in the Christmas story? Over the next few days, let's explore each figure, their character traits, and the role they played in the Jesus-story.

Mary.

I know. We've already looked at Mary some little bit. So, here's what I see in this woman:
Pure in heart.
Teachable.
Humble.
Surrendered.
Sacrificial.
Willing to be willing.
Obedient.
Reflective.
Ready.
Faith-full!
Filled with God (literally and metaphorically).
Not fear-less, but courageous.
Human.

Here are some of my favorite God-words about Mary.

Greetings, O favored one (highly sought after, filled with grace), the Lord is with you! (Luke 1:28, 30)

"Do not be afraid, Mary... " (Luke 1:30)

And Mary said, "Behold  am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)

Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. (Luke 1:45)

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant... (Luke 1:46-48)

Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

As we read God's words, we can see so much depth of character between the lines, in the woman God chose to mother His Son. If anyone had a mama's heart, Mary did! If anyone understood what it meant to be a servant of the Lord Most High, Mary did! If anyone willingly surrendered her life to sacrificial obedience - it was Mary!

Are you Mary?
Am I?

If I'm a Mary, then I am a surrendered servant willing to be willing to receive from God's hand whatever He asks...

Ah, but there are still more folks around that manger to examine.  😃

Advent Thought # 20 - December 19

This is my favorite Christmas ornament. It happens to be the only Santa-anything I have in our house this time of year. Every year that I put up my little fake tree that is home to every nativity ornament I own, this one is front and center. I love that Santa is kneeling in front of the manger. It puts everything about Christmas back in perspective. It's not about Santa. I love that Santa is worshipping. It reminds me that Christmas is about humble beginnings and humble continuings (I know that's not a word, I like it, anyway). Jesus humbled Himself by becoming a babe, living simply, dying wholeheartedly on my behalf; I'm to live out His example on a daily basis. I love that at the bottom of this ornament it has these words:

That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father!

Philippians 2:10-11

There it is. The true response to Christmas. Advent is near!

Advent Thoughts #19 - December 18

As a little girl, every Christmas Eve vespers service I ever attended began with this song, written out below (here's a link to listen):

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel. 

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home

This is a haunting song. A song sung by people in captivity and bondage. A song of slavery. A song of gloom and darkness. A song of the lonely. Yet...a song of hope. A song of promise. A song of redemption. You hear it in the music and lyrics.

The good news is Emmanuel came and with Him came everything that those in slavery, darkness, and misery hoped. Now, it's simply a matter of receiving... For all, even those who are in that dark place that sometimes envelops over the holidays, there is JOY to be found in Jesus. This is the story of the third advent candle, lit last Sunday: in His presence is fulness of joy. May we pass that on... Emmanuel came. He ransomed. He turned mourning into dancing. He freed us from Satan's tyranny, brought victory over the grave, dispersed the gloomy clouds of our lives, and cheered our spirits. May we live like we BELIEVE...and make it contagious to others who don't know it yet. The Good News is Advent is near for all who believe and receive...

Step into the joy of freedom in Christ!

Advent Thoughts #18 - December 17

There are a lot of "do not fear" statements in the Christmas story. Ever noticed? As I was re-reading the various accounts in the four gospels, the "do not fear" comments (mostly from a visiting angel) were spoken to a number of the critical players in the nativity story. However, there was one spoken to Joseph that leapt off the page and into my heart:

Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit...all this has taken place to fulfill what the Lord spoke to the prophet, Isaiah, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and he shall be called, Immanuel (which means, God with us)."

Matthew 1:20, 23

Talk about a fearful season for all the principle characters necessary to bring God's Son into and up in this world. Each found themselves constantly under a cloud of threat, fear of the future, and the possibilities of imminent death. Yet, over and over again, that visiting angel spoke words of assurance, "Do not fear..." Do not fear for God has come to you. Do not fear for God is now with you. Do not fear you are never alone. Do not fear for He will save you.  Do not fear, your prayers have been heard. Do not fear for I have brought you tidings of great joy.

"Do not fear!" is an integral part of the Advent Story...

We may not have an angel visit us today in our dreams, in a vision, or in person. Yet, we have this truth tucked away in the lines of the Jesus-story with which we can cling: He is with us...always! Even unto the end of the age!

Jesus Christ: the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Sovereign God.
The in-charge-I-AM, who oversees every outcome for a good we may not currently see, who will accomplish what He purposes, is the God of the Details.
This God is with me.
Do.Not.Fear.
Advent is near!

Advent Thoughts #17 - December 16

Every time I turn on the Pandora Christmas-music-station, I hear someone crooning, "I'll be home for Christmas..." It's such a sad, nostalgic Christmas song, made more so by the fact that not everyone I love can be home for Christmas. During the holidays, I miss my grown-up-kids the most. Don't get me wrong, I love that they are able to create their own family traditions (those are IMPORTANT!). I am thrilled to think of them with their kiddos, carrying on some of the same ones that we instilled: attending the Christmas Eve service, gathering at home afterwards drinking some of Aunt Kim's Egg Nog (her special, yes, non-alcoholic, recipe is the BEST), reading the Christmas story, tearing open a few presents before bed, saving Christmas stockings & a surprise gift for morning... What I miss is the magic that family makes by being together. So, we've learned to make that magic happen whenever we can...and, I'm glad that my kiddos work at finding the few times we can all gather under one roof.

However, this Advent Season, more than ever, I have been thinking more about just where "home" is. On Saturday, we received word that a dear, spiritually-influential friend of ours has really gone "home" for Christmas. This Christmas, he will spend with Jesus. I can't think of a better time to be home. I can only imagine the reunion and the celebration! This man left a HUGE legacy. Not just in his immediate family, but in his church family, and community. The fact is, I wouldn't be sitting here typing a blog entry about Advent were it not for him. Cecil bought into the vision of five high school kids, who wanted to make a difference for Jesus in their school. So, he gave them land near his home, bought them materials, and helped them build a little building where they could invite other students for Bible studies, prayer times, and parties. I got invited one October night to a fall party, and a few short weeks later, my life was totally transformed, when Jesus was born in my heart in a BIG WAY. I'm so glad he's home for this holy-day season!

For Jesus-followers, that haunting we feel at Christmas-time, that longing for home, for family, is simply a poignant reminder that none of us are HOME. We'll never really have that hole in our hearts filled until we reach heaven's gates. Oh, we may sense the magic for a few brief days, when family can gather together, but it's simply a foretaste of what we really are seeking - being at home in the presence of our Savior. We will never be fully satisfied until we are home with Jesus. The Jesus-disciple, Peter, got that fact - he looked beyond earth to that place about which his Lord taught. As Jesus explained the fact of His coming death to His disciples, He used these words: "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also (John 14: 2-3, ESV)." So, Peter reminds us, "Friends, this world isn't your home, so don't make ourselves cozy in it...(1 Peter 2:11, MSG)" 

Advent is more than just a current season of approximately 25-30 days. Advent is ahead. Jesus is currently preparing for another Christmas. A Christmas when all the family who are in-Christ will be together celebrating in His Father's mansion. I look forward with anticipation to that day. So much so, that I don't want to be "cozy" here. And, just as my adult-kids work hard to make together-times happen, I will do my part to work at making an eternal gathering with those I love possible. Think of the magic of that time! Advent is near!

Today's Advent Lesson: One day, those of us in-Christ will all be home for Christmas. Let's prepare for that Advent by sending out Kingdom invitations. What a day that will be!

Advent Thought #16 - December 15

(...a continuation from yesterday)

Tis the season for Magnificats. Last night even God was verbalizing one of sorts in His own glorious display. He continues to remind me, even in His simple acts, I have a BIG GOD who is for a little me.
And, He has given me a joy-job!

MY MAGNIFICAT (of sorts)

My soul rejoices in the Lord
For He is the God of the Impossible-Made-Possible
He is the BIG GOD for the Little One
The God of BIG DEEDS
The God of STRENGTH
The God of HELP
The God of HEALING
The God Who Brings HOPE
The God Who SATISFIES the HUNGRY
Holy is His Name
Merciful is His Character
Grace is His motive
Powerful are His acts

My soul rejoices in the Lord
For He has chosen me to be
His instrument -
A vessel of honor,
Set-apart,
Useful to the Master,
Prepared for every good work.

He has impregnated me
With the fulness of His Holy Spirit,
To spill forth
- faith
- wisdom
- grace, and
- life-changing power,

Because He has bestowed upon me
The Blessing
Of Bearing His Name
Wherever He might send:
- next door
- across the street
- within the state
- the country
- across the sea
- maybe, even to church!

So may I carry that name, like a phylactery
Bound to me for all to see
- to know
- to understand
- to agree
that I AM a follower of Jesus, the Christ
- the EXPECTED ONE!

What precious, priceless cargo!
May I carry it as Paul must have after Ananias lay hands on him so long ago,
- proudly
- protectively
- possessively
- purposely, and with
- priority.

Certainly, he was persecuted.
Yes, ultimately put to death.
But along the pathways of his journey many praised God!
Because of Him,
Picked up the name, and
Carried on...

And when others see me - even from a distance,
May something deep within their spirits leap for joy,
Because they recognize that for me
To Live is CHRIST!