As we celebrate Jesus’ victory on Calvary, we need to ask ourselves – How am I doing with what Jesus asks of me? I heard Ricky Skaggs speak to this and his challenge hit home for me. He spoke of the mission of the church. We are the church and Jesus called us to share His gospel message of love, of mercy, of forgiveness, not just in words but in our actions. He spoke of all that has happened in the world and of how God told us in His Word that these things would happen. So we should not be surprised.
“This has happened on our watch. The churches watch. We’re the strongest, most powerful entity on earth, The Body of Christ. We have a voice. We have authority. We have power that we have not taken because of political correctness, because we don’t want to be some religious zealot. The world is waiting to see us stand up and be who God called us to be.”
Ricky’s message is needed now more than ever. Yes, there are those who don’t want to hear it. They will attempt to silence the message. We must remember that while they may not want to hear it, they need to hear it. They are dying to hear it, dying in their sin because they don’t know Jesus Christ. They don’t know that He wants a relationship with them because He loves them. He died for them.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he went.
Hebrews 11:8
Today is the first day of 2024. I have heard many comments and read social media posts of those expressing their relief to see the end of 2023, inferring that next year will be better somehow. Will it? Nothing has changed except the date on the calendar.
Our world is still in chaos. Russia is still attacking in Ukraine. Terrorists still seek to wipe Israel off the map and the present conflict has revealed a level of antisemitism that I wouldn’t have believed if I hadn’t witnessed the protests and heard the comments reported. Japan suffered an earthquake today. Home prices are on the rise with higher interest rates, discouraging home buyers, this also means pressure on rentals increases. The cost of living is outpacing the higher wages.
So what will this new year bring?
I have no answers but I know the ONE who does.
The scripture reading talks of Abraham who left his home and all that was familiar to go, not even knowing where it was that God was leading him. I like the way Eugene Petersen describes it:
By an act of faith,
Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home.
When he left he had no idea where he was going.
By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents.
Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise.
Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations –
the City designed and built by God.
Are you walking into 2024 with God or are you traveling under your own power?
God has a plan for your life.
He doesn’t promise that it will be easy but He does promise that it will be worth it!
I don’t know what this year holds but I began the year the way I intend to live this year,
living each day to the fullest,
doing whatever God calls me to do.
For today that meant planting some ginger.
I’ve never grown ginger before but I planted two pots and I’ll watch and wait to see if this is successful.
It also meant dehydrating my carrot crop!
God blessed me with an abundance of carrots this season and I wanted to try out my new dehydrator,
so there will be plenty of carrots to add to my soups and stews this winter.
Let me leave you with these words from Oswald Chambers:
Have you been asking God what He is going to do?
He will never tell you.
God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is.
Do you believe in a miracle-working God,
and will you go out in surrender to Him until you are not surprised an atom at anything He does?
I have learned that for me simpler is better, so I hold on to the traditions that bring me joy and I let go of those that cause me frustration. I don’t decorate a tree but I do place wreaths on the front and back door, the Advent wreath remains on the table until after the Epiphany, there are flowers: Christmas cacti, amaryllis, and poinsettias, and the cards we receive are kept in a basket to read again and again during the season.
I no longer try to find the “perfect” gift and instead I opt for making memories. We rent a box at Shorebirds stadium and host our family each year to a Sunday afternoon ball game. Shopping Done! I also spend some time making cookies to share with family and friends. For those who cannot participate in the ball game I find something that will bring them joy and that we can experience together or something they need. I keep it simple because it truly is the thought that counts!
While others are quickly cleaning up the clutter after December 25th, I am enjoying my Advent wreath. I burn it every day during the twelve days of Christmas, sometimes in the early morning darkness before the sun rises and sometimes at night after cleaning up the kitchen when I take time to say “Thank You God” for the day has given me.
My wreaths are still on my doors, the flowers are blooming (hopefully), my Christmas cards are still in a basket where I can read through them as I take a moment in my day to sit with a cup of tea and think of each one and what they mean to my life.
Tomorrow I will take my daughter-in-love to a museum and enjoy lunch.
On January 6th my family, (as many who can), will gather around our table for an Epiphany dinner. We will remember those who are no longer at the table. We will laugh and maybe wipe away a tear as we share memories of holidays past and plans we have for the time God gives us.
During the weeks of Advent I focus on His coming, both the first time as a tiny baby and the second as the King of kings and Lord of Lords. But beginning on Christmas Eve my focus shifts to what am I doing to live out what Jesus means to me.
In the culture of today we are encouraged to spend money we do not have on things we do not need, all to impress people who really don’t care. I encourage you to take a stand. Choose what traditions bring your joy and concentrate on those things. Spend time with family and friends, do something that will bless them – write a note, make a phone call, bake a special treat, or just sit and visit. Ask God to direct your thoughts and your actions and you will be surprised what you can do!
P.S.
Each gift that I have received this Christmas was special. Each one reflected that the person knew me, knew my heart and that is worth more than anything to me. But there was one gift that puzzled me when I first opened it but when I plugged it in and saw the lights and heard the carols the joy bubbled up and it has been on everyday while I’m working around the house. I find myself singing along to JOY TO THE WORD as prepare a meal, I was my dishes, sweep the floor, whatever it may be, it is made better by this silly Santa truck!
On this Christmas Day we light the center candle, the Christ Candle.
We light this candle as a symbol of God’s mercy and grace.
Send, O God, into the darkness of this troubled world, the light of Your Son.
Let the star of Your hope touch the minds of the people with the bright beams of mercy and truth;
and so direct our steps that we may ever walk in the way revealed to us,
as the shepherds of Bethlehem walked with joy to the manger where He dwelled,
who now and ever reigns in our hearts, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
(John Suter, U.S.A., 20th CENT., ALT.)
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 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 has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 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 2:8-20
The season of Christmas begins at sunset on December 24th and goes until January 6th, the Epiphany of the Lord. Twelve days to celebrate God’s mercy and grace as we ponder the plan of salvation God put into motion that long ago day in Bethlehem. A baby born in a manger under the shadow of the Cross. Jesus would live among God’s people. He would preach. He would teach. He would heal. He would suffer. He would die. All for God’s people. He would rise from that tomb victorious over death with the promise of eternal life for all who would believe and accept Him as Lord and Savior.
Are we, like the shepherds, eager to come and see what God has for us?
Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass,
which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Can we, like the shepherds, come away from an encounter with Jesus, glorifying and praising God for everything He makes known to us?
And the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen,
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.
Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end,
upon the throne of David,
and upon His kingdom,
to order it,
and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
On this fourth Sunday of Advent we light the candle of Peace.
We light this candle as a symbol of the Prince of Peace.
May the visitation of Your Holy Spirit,
O God,
make us ready for the coming of Jesus,
our hope and joy.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the poem “Christmas Bells” after his son was wounded in battle during the Civil War. He wrote of the contrast of the Christmas bells ringing out “Peace on earth, good-will to men” while the United States was facing a civil war with its citizens fighting each other. The version we find in most Christmas music omits the third and fourth stanzas, which refer to the canon fire on the battlefield.
I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head “There is no peace on earth, I said” “For hate is strong, and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead: nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, Of peace on earth, good-will to men
Till, ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Sadly, the world still does not enjoy peace on earth as we enter this Christmas season. There are struggles in various locations all around the world, most notably in the middle east and in Ukraine. However, Christians are not without hope, for God has promised that evil will not triumph in the end.
The first time Jesus came to earth He came as a baby. When He returns at His second coming He will come in power and glory to set up His kingdom on earth where He will reign for a thousand years.
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. Revelation 20:1-3
After the thousand years Satan will be loosed out of his incarceration and will prepare for the final battle. God will deal with Satan and those who deny Christ for a final time.
This is what Christmas really means. God set in motion His plan to redeem a fallen world.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true,”
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. Revelation 21:1-8
Where are you this Christmas Eve?
Are you looking with great expectation for Christ’s second coming
And come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads:
They shall come obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 35:10
Marva J. Dawn writes in her book Joy In Our Weakness, “Joy is the deep sense of God’s sustaining Presence, the realization that divine light is greater than any darkness that might temporarily assail us. Thus, Joy does not mean “happiness,” which is dependent upon human circumstances.”
My joy is not dependent upon my circumstances but instead comes from my relationship with my Creator, and that never changes. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
In these days of much uncertainty there is one thing for certain, and that is the God we serve.
Let us consider the words of the psalmist:
Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?”
Let the light of Your face shine upon us, O Lord.
You have filled my heart with greater JOY
Than when their grain and new wine abound.
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for You alone, O Lord,
make me dwell in safety.
What brings you JOY?
For me it is my family –
Including our furry ones –
Even the morning chores –
The breaking of a new day –
The setting of the sun –
As you light the third candle – the candle of JOY – let us remember that because Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, walked this earth in human form experiencing everything we experience, died on a cross at Calvary, rose from the grave defeating death, and now sits at the right hand of God our Father, we are redeemed. We live in the Joy of the Lord for Christ is our JOY!
But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice:
let them ever shout for JOY, because Thou defendest them:
let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee.
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