For Unto You

There is no better way to share the truths of Christmas than from the words of God’s Holy Scripture.  May you and yours be richly blessed by God’s abundant grace.  May you find in Him forgiveness at the cross.  Christ came so that we might have life and have it to the fullest (John 10:10b).  Seek the Christ child and you too shall find abundant grace and forgiveness.  Merry Christmas.   

Luke 2

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

 

A Night Divine

The stars captivate me.  Everything about the heavens leaves me speechless.  The vast expanse of the unknown and the endless galaxies strike wonder and awe into my heart.  I know exactly what it is about the heavens that draws my attention every night, their Creator.

Every time I stop to ponder the vastness of the stars and galaxies and planets my mind cannot even begin to fathom their expanse.  And then I stop to consider how the Creator of the heavens sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to earth as a baby and my heart stops in my chest.  Why would any father willingly send his child to a world filled with hate and sin and depravity?  Most fathers I know try to protect their children from the hatred that plagues are world.  This Father sent his one and only Son in the weak and dependent form of a baby to pay for my sins.  He came as a baby fully man and fully God. Incredible.  Divine.

Jesus came on a night not like any other.  A night that must have been filled with creation’s anticipation.  The overwhelming sense of awe I feel when gazing at the constellations cannot even begin to compare to what was felt the night Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem.  What a night.  A most holy night.  A divine night.

The phrases of O Holy Night encapsulate to me what it must have felt like to be present at the birth of Jesus Christ.  Each line reminds me of the sole purpose Christ came from his heavenly throne to spend 33 years on earth.  He came to break my chains of bondage.  He came to free me from my sins.  He came that I might have life through him.

A night most divine for certain.

Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name

Peace Unexplainable

I have often wondered why Christmas music and carols are not played throughout the whole year.  The truths hidden in the carols are applicable not just during what we consider the season of Christmas but every day.  Christmas music is filled with an awe and a peace that is unexplainable.  It is impossible for my heart not to swell with wonder and gratitude and peace when singing carols from years gone by or the modern Christmas classics.

With only one week until Christmas I would like to share the songs of Christmas which causes within me a certain unexplained quiet, a silent hand raised in praise, and the automatic closing of my eyes with tears of gratitude tracing my face.

There are a multitude of questions I have concerning the night of my Savior’s birth.  Did the day feel cold and bleak before Christ was born?  Did a sudden warmth, not a physical warmth but a spiritual warmth, fill the city of Bethlehem the night of Christ’s birth?  Did the stars shine more brightly? Were the animals quiet in silent admiration?  Oh so many ponderings and no real answers.  Which in all actuality is perfectly beautiful and adds to the marvelous mystery of God’s unending love for His children.

For me there is one song which captures all the questions which run through my thoughts as I prepare for Christmas, 2000 Decembers Ago by Joy Williams.  It is important to ask ourselves these questions and then stand back to remember the small child born those 2000 year ago was not just a child but the King.  The King who rules from the heavens.  The King who created man and loves him.  The King who came for the sole purpose to create direct access to His Father for all people.

The child born into such humble means is the King who brings me unexplainable peace.