Pondering God's promises

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Luke 2:15-21

TO CHEW ON: "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19

From the day the angel came to Mary with the almost incomprehensible message, "The Lord is with you; blessed are you among women .... You shall bring forth a Son .... and of His kingdom there will be no end," her life was changed (Luke 1:28-33).

When she went to visit her relative Elizabeth, she was greeted with more unusual words: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb" - Luke 1:42.

The strangenesses continue in today's reading when shepherds find the new parents in their cowshed accommodation and tell them that an angel has announced their baby's birth, identified Him by His manger bed and swaddling clothes, and proclaimed Him "A Savior who is Christ the Lord."

Mary's response: "She kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." And at least three more times in Luke we find Mary puzzled and pondering things that are playing out in the life of her child Jesus - Luke 2:33,50,51.

Though our experience will never mirror Mary's we too may have promises and dreams that set us pondering. They may be dreams God has put in our hearts for our own futures. They may be things people have spoken over us. They may be the destiny we see for our kids. They may be the role we envision our church will play in the community, or our country will have on the world stage.

Joyce Meyer had such a dream. Early in her Christian life she caught a vision of a ministry she believed God had for her. In her book Battlefield of the Mind, she describes how that vision was challenged. But claiming Romans 8:26 for the things she did not understand, she confronted naysaying thoughts with a determination to believe, not doubt, God's promises. She says:

"As Christians, we need to learn to decide to believe. God often gives us faith (a product of the Spirit) for things our minds just can't always seem to come into agreement with. The mind wants to understand everything—the why, the when, and the how of it all...


I had decided long before to believe what the Word says, and to believe the rhema (the revealed Word) that God gave me (the things He spoke to me or the promises He gave me personally), even if I didn't understand why, when, or how it would come to pass in my life" - Joyce Meyer, Battlefield of the Mind, p. 51.

As we ponder the promises God has given us, let us too channel those musings through the filter of faith. Mary obviously did. Why else would she have told the servants, troubled at running out of wine during the wedding in Cana, "Whatever He (Jesus) says to you, do it" (John 2:5)?

PRAYER: Dear God, as I stand on the threshold of the new year, please help me to ponder Your promises to me with faith, knowing that You can do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). Amen.

MORE: New Year's Eve

In Canada New Year's Eve is a time for celebration and partying. People gather in houses, hotel ballrooms, and city squares to eat, drink, and dance as they count down to 12 midnight. Then they welcome the new year with fireworks, kisses and the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

Churches often sponsor gatherings that bring in the new year a little differently. These New Year's Eve events, sometimes called Watchnight Services, find people welcoming the new year on their knees or singing praises to God.

God's portable house

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Revelation 21:1-7

TO CHEW ON: "And I heard a loud voice from heaven sang, 'Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them and they shall be His people, God Himself will be with them and be their God.'" Revelation 21:3

Portable homes range from pup tents that weigh ounces to grand motorized coaches that are practically castles on wheels. However, even the grandest doesn’t compare to the tabernacle (skene – tent) of God, shown to John in his Revelation vision.

Throughout the Bible the tabernacle signifies God’s dwelling place. He gave Moses instructions on how to make the first physical tabernacle on Mount Sinai – an elaborate tent made with specific materials and completely dis-assemblable. The Israelites carried it with them during their 40 years of wandering in the desert, putting it up at each extended stop. God’s glory hovered over it and so possessed the Holy of Holies, no unsanctioned person could go into it and remain alive.

When Solomon built the temple, the physical portable tabernacle was retired. But Bible writers continue to refer to it:

• David talks about being hidden in God’s tabernacle in the time of trouble (Psalm 27:5).

• The writer to the Hebrews explains how Christ’s sacrifice on the cross brought an end to the need for the High Priest’s yearly ministry in the Holy of Holies. No longer did he need to go into that room of the tabernacle (or temple) with a blood sacrifice to atone for sins. (Hebrews 9:6-15)

• God spreads his tabernacle over the saints who come out of the tribulation in Revelation 7:15.

• The beast blasphemes it in Revelation 13:6.

• And in Revelation 15:5 “the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.”

In our reading today, a heavenly voice declares to John that God’s tabernacle is with men. Then John sees an indescribably beautiful city – the New Jerusalem – also called His bride, descending from heaven. It’s an incredible sight to picture and even more incredible to think that we will someday be a part of such an event!

Until then, though, God has a far humbler tabernacle. Us. You and me. Though the exact word “tabernacle” isn’t used, we are plainly told in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that we are God’s dwelling place. What an honor, privilege and responsibility!

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to begin to grasp the significance of being Your dwelling place on earth. Help me to live accordingly. Amen.

MORE: Michael Card sings “The New Jerusalem”





(From the archives)

Creation, praise the Lord!

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Psalm 148:1-14

TO CHEW ON: "Let them praise the name of the Lord,

For He commanded and they were created." - Psalm 148:5

My Bible subtitles this psalm "Praise to the Lord from Creation." The writer puts God's praise into the mouths of all aspects of the created world: Sun and moon, stars, heavens of heavens, waters above the heavens (?), earth, sea creatures and all depths, fire, hall, snow and clouds, wind, mountains, hills, trees, beasts and cattle, creeping things and flying birds. - Psalm 148:3-10.

This isn't the only place in the Bible where creation sings its Creator's praises.

• The heavens and earth rejoice in God's reign in 1 Chronicles 16:31.

• The flock-covered pastures and grain-clothed valleys shout for shout for joy in Psalm 65:13.

• The rivers clap their hands and the hills are joyful in Psalm 98:8.

• Isaiah tells the heavens and earth to shout and break into singing because of God's redemption of Israel in Isaiah 49:13.

• Isaiah also talks about the mountains and hills breaking into song and the trees clapping their hands in Isaiah 55:12.

There is one more praising part of creation that the writer of Psalm 148 mentions. It is us humans:

"Kings of the earth and all peoples

Princes and all judges of the earth

Both young men and maidens

Old men and children

Let them praise the name of the Lord

For His name alone is exalted

His glory is above the earth and heaven" - Psalm 148:11-13.

Jesus acknowledged how good, fitting, and inevitable it is for people to praise Him. When He swept into Jerusalem riding on a donkey accompanied by the praises of His disciples, some Pharisees said to Him: "'Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.'" But He answered, "'I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out'" - Luke 19:39-40.

So let's fill our mouths with His praise so the stones will have no reason to put us to shame!

PRAYER: Mighty God, I praise You for Your wisdom and skill on display in created things. I praise You for the grace, mercy, and love seen in Your plan of salvation. I praise You just because You are You— the sovereign One who is above and beyond me, Your creature. Amen.


MORE: "Praise Awaits You" by Matt Redman

Blood-stained King

"The Rider on the White Horse" by Gérard JOLLAIN,

 TODAY'S SPECIAL: Isaiah 63:1-19

TO CHEW ON: "'Why is your apparel red,

And Your garments like one who treads in the winepress?'

'I have trodden the winepress alone,

And from the peoples no one was with Me.

For I have trodden them in my anger,

And trampled them in My fury

Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments,

And I have stained all My robes.'" - Isaiah 63:2,3

What a startling picture Isaiah paints of God, in glorious robes, returning from battle. It is as if the writer first sees Him approaching from a distance and all he notices are the gorgeous "dyed garments of Bozrah."

But when the warrior King gets nearer, the writer sees the red stains. Has he been trampling grapes in His kingly clothes?

The returning victor explains. He has raided the enemy. It is not the spatter of grape juice but blood on His robes.

The symbolism in this scene points to Jesus.

• He speaks of conquering the enemy—Satan—in Matthew 12:22-29 when the Pharisees accuse Him of casting out a demon from a man by Satan's power. Jesus insists He is fighting satan by the Spirit of God and asks, "How can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house" - Matthew 12:29.

• Paul, in describing all the benefits of trusting Christ, describes Jesus' victory of Satan and the hosts of evil: "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it" Colossians 2:15.

• But the Apostle John witnesses the closest likeness to this scene in Revelation: "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse... He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called the Word of God" - Revelation  19:11-21; see also John 1:1,14.

Se we see that the baby Jesus "meek and mild" whose birth we have just celebrated, is really a conquering warrior, involved in serious battle. We conquer through Him, as Paul reminds us, because through Him the requirements of the law are satisfied, our sins are forgiven, we are made alive, and our enemy is left weaponless  (Colossians 2:13-15).

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for this scene of victory, for which You paid the ultimate price. Help me to live in victory because Satan is a defeated foe. Amen.

MORE: "Ride on King Jesus" by Steve Bell

Are you one of God's favourites?

TODAY'S SPECIAL: John 21:20-25

TO CHEW ON: "Then Peter turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, 'Lord, who is the one who betrays you?'" John 21:20

John, one of Jesus' first followers who later wrote the Gospel of John, the three letters 1, 2 and 3 John, and Revelation, also had his flaws. The Bible writers show him to be:

• Explosive: He, along with his brother James, were known as "Sons of Thunder" - Mark 3:17.

• Intolerant: He stopped someone who wasn't part of their group from casting out demons in Jesus name. Jesus set him straight - Mark 9:38-39.

• Vindictive: When Jesus and His disciples passed through Samaria and the locals didn't welcome Him, James and John (those Sons of Thunder) asked, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" Jesus' reply was scathing: "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of..."- Luke 9:51-55.

• Ambitious: In company with his brother James, he asked to be seated beside Jesus when He set up His kingdom. Again Jesus put the boys firmly in their place: "You do not know what you ask!" In fact, their ambition threatened to divide the disciples until Jesus turned their request into a lesson about true greatness - Mark 19:35-40.

Yet, in spite of all the times John messed up and Jesus scolded him, he sensed that he was uniquely loved. Numerous times he refers to himself as "The disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:20).

Though we may have felt, if we were one of the disciples, that John's claim was abrasive ('You mean He loves you more than me?') I can't help but think it warmed Jesus' heart. Just as we want our kids, friends, and the people with whom we do life to sense that we love them, I believe Jesus saw the love response of John's heart toward His love, and was honoured and blessed by it.

Do you and I have such an intimate and trusting relationship with Jesus that we could say we are the ones Jesus loves--indeed, the ones He loves best? I believe that's what He wants. Look how He prayed for us:

"And I have declared to them Your name and will declare it that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them" - John 17:26

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to sense my special place in Your heart without making a competition of it. Please teach me about the love You prayed I would have. Amen.

MORE: Feast of St. John

Today the church celebrates the Feast of St. John. The liturgy for this day begins with the collect:

"Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

Stephen - a kitchen worker's role model

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Acts 6:8-7:2a

TO CHEW ON: "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people .... And they (Synagogue of the Freedmen members who opposed Stephen) were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke." Acts 6:8,10

When we recruit for church kitchen volunteers or look for someone to administer our soup kitchens or free stores, are faith, power, and wisdom on the list of qualifications? It has always amazed me that such a talented, articulate man like Stephen was picked to do what we might consider the menial job of overseeing the distribution of food to foreign widows.

The twelve disciples seemed to think this food distribution job was beneath them ("It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables" - Acts 6:2). But Stephen, along with six others, willingly took on the task and, I believe, forever elevated the role of the kitchen volunteer.

• Stephen's position put him in the public eye where his reputation as a man of faith and power was affirmed.

• He had the platform to explain and defend his faith. In this capacity he showed himself someone who possessed irresistible wisdom and was full of the Holy Spirit.

Maybe I find Stephen so attractive because I have spent a fair amount of time serving in our church's kitchen. (In fact, on the day that I'm writing this, I'll be working in the kitchen for some hours, helping with a funeral tea.) The role comes with little prestige. We are often ignored, sometimes bossed around and generally treated like servants. But I think it's a privilege to be in the train of kitchen volunteers like Stephen who, when he was martyred for his faith, was welcomed into heaven by Jesus Himself (Acts 7:56-60).

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You that no kingdom service is menial to You. Help me to work with the right attitude today. Please gift me with the faith, power, and wisdom of Stephen as I serve. Amen.

MORE: Feast of St. Stephen

Today is the Feast in honor of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The liturgy for the day begins with this Collect:

"We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen."

Feed trough birth

"Joseph Seeks Lodging" by James Tissot (1886-94)

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Luke 2:1-14

TO CHEW ON: "And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7

As I reread this familiar story today, I am struck by the lowliness of the characters and their situations.

Joseph and Mary were the most ordinary citizens, at the beck and call of Caesar Agustus. They had no choice but to obey the census summons and travel at this most inconvenient time.

The place of Jesus' birth—a feed trough—has been the basis of many a Christmas play. Though the Bible description is beautifully understated, we can't help but imagine the crowded Bethlehem streets, see Joseph and Mary trekking from one inn to another, hear the desperation in Joseph's voice as Mary's labor pains accelerate: "Please. We'll take anything."

The angels announce Jesus' birth to shepherds, a rough lot and scorned by the who's-who in Jewish society.

God in His wisdom arrived in such a way that the humblest, poorest, and most despised found themselves in His spotlight. It reminds me of a poem by my friend Charlie. Let's ponder this as we celebrate Jesus' birth today. 

(Used with permission. Click on image to enlarge.)

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for revealing Yourself first to the poorest. None of us is too low or insignificant for You to notice and love. Amen.

MORE: Merry Christmas!

Advent Calendar - December 25


To all who read here, may your travels be safe, your food rich, your body healthy, your love sincere, and your gifts just what you want. But most of all, may you experience Jesus, the Gift Who never disappoints. From our house to yours. . .

Merry Christmas!

The Liturgy for Christmas begins with this collect:


"Almighty God, you have given your only begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen."

Joseph's Dilemma

 

"The Anxiety of Saint Joseph" by James Tissot (1836-1902)

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Matthew 1:18-25

TO CHEW ON: "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly." Matthew 1:19

Joseph has always intrigued me. I think of him as thoughtful and deep, the strong, silent type. Here he faced the dilemma of his life: his beautiful fiancee was pregnant.

My Bible's study notes explain about Jewish betrothals:

"In Jewish law, betrothal involved a formal binding contract before witnesses but the betrothal abstained from sexual relations and the woman remained at her father's house until the actual wedding ceremony. The betrothed referenced each other as husband and wife (vs. 19,20), and the contract could be terminated only by death or a formal divorce decree" - New Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 1290.

Did the culture allow private conversations between engaged young people? If it did, I can imagine Mary's explanation, probably tearful (how could you not be emotional when the love of your life, the man who had your future in his hands, was looking at you with utter shock, disbelief and...revulsion?) even though this was a holy, joyful thing that had happened to her.

What to do? Joseph was considering putting her away secretly—divorcing her—the solution described in Deuteronomy 24:1. But just in time, "while he thought about these things" an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream to confirm Mary's claim that this baby was indeed what she had said and not the fruit of a sinful union. So Joseph married her and the rest of the story played out.

Have you noticed how God showing up here just in the nick of time, just as He often comes to us in our emergencies. It never feels soon enough for our likes, but neither is it too late for the situation. God could have alerted Joseph to what was about to happen before any of it transpired, saving him the stress, worry, and crisis. But He didn't. Why? I believe it was because God was developing Joseph's faith at the same time He was working out His plans for the earth in sending Jesus.

God's response to Joseph reminds me of some paragraphs I came across in J. I. Packer's Knowing God. Packer, speaking of another Joseph and his reaction to his brothers in Genesis 45:4-8 says:

"Once again we are confronted with the wisdom of God ordering the events of a human life for a double purpose: the man's own personal sanctification and the fulfilling of his appointed ministry and service in the life of the people of God....


These things are written for our learning: for the same wisdom which ordered the paths which God's saints trod in Bible times orders the Christian's life today. We should not therefore be too taken aback when unexpected and upsetting and discouraging things happen to us now. What do they mean? Why, simply that God in His wisdom means to make something of us which we have not attained yet, and is dealing with us accordingly....


But how are we to meet these baffling and trying situations if we cannot for the moment see God's purpose in them? First by taking them as from God, and asking ourselves what reactions to them, and in them, the gospel of God requires of us; second by seeking God's face specifically about them" J. I. Packer, Knowing God, pages 103-105, 1975 edition (emphasis mine).

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to go to You when life is puzzling and full of questions. Then help me to, in faith, obey what you reveal, as Joseph did. Amen.

(From the archives.)

Advent Calendar - December 24

Christmas Fact:

The magi brought the baby Jesus kingly gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The sap of the frankincense tree (Boswellia carteri or Boswellia thurifera) dries into hard, yellowish brown lumps of bum resin known as frankincense. .... The English word “frankincense” comes from the Old French words franc encens, meaning pure or high-quality incense. Although it was most commonly used as incense in ancient times, frankincense was also prescribed as medicine.

The sap of the myrrh tree (Commiphora myrrha) dries into hard, reddish brown lumps of gum resin known as myrrh. It was used as a medicine and a component of perfume and incense.


– Encyclopedia of Christmas pp. 219 & 395

Open December 24

Frankincense tree
Myrrh tree

Jesus--is He your King?

"Adoration of the Magi" 
attributed to Joseph Christophe (c. 1690-1700)

TODAY'S SPECIAL: 1 Chronicles 17:16-27

TO CHEW ON: "'And now O Lord, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, let it be established forever, and do as you have said.'" - 1 Chronicles 17:23

After hearing the prophecy about his kingly line, David went to God and poured out his heart in thanks and agreement: "... let it be established... So let it be established ... let the house of Your servant David be established before You" - 1 Chronicles 17:23-24.

[Establish means to make secure, stable or permanent, to fix firmly, to set up, to found or institute on a firm or lasting basis, to cause to be widely or unquestionably recognized and accepted. Two Hebrew words for 'established' are used here. 'Aman' (vs. 23, 24) means to support, confirm, be faithful to, uphold, and nourish. Kuwn  (vs. 24 second occurrence) means to be firm, stable, secure, enduring.]

If Jesus was indeed the descendant of David through whom this kingly line was established, we would expect to find evidence of that. Let's take a brief look through the Bible for signs of Jesus' kingship.

1. Other prophetic writings thought to refer to Jesus speak of Him as a king (Isaiah 9:7 and Jeremiah 23:5 are two).

2. The angel Gabriel's words to Mary spoke of Jesus' kingly destiny (Luke 1:32-33).

3. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, of which the prophet Micah said, "...out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel" - Micah 5:2.

4. Jesus' lineage connects Him to King David - Matthew 1:1-16.

5. Wise men from the east, guided by a supernatural star came seeking a "King of the Jews" and presented the baby Jesus with gifts associated with royalty - Matthew 2:1-12.

6. Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey shortly before His death was an unmistakeable dramatization of who He was - Matthew 21:1-9.

7. Jesus Himself admitted He was a king, and Herod announced it to the world with an "accusation" nailed to the cross - Matthew 27:11,37.

8. The disciples believed Jesus was a king. They were persecuted and accused because of that belief - Acts 17:5-9. In another place Paul invoked Jesus' kingly power in a prayer - 1 Timothy 6:15.

9. John's visions of Jesus' reveal Him as King - Revelation 14:14; 19:15.

It seems abundantly clear that David's kingly line was established and fulfilled in Jesus. Perhaps all that's left to ponder is, what have we done with King Jesus? Have I established Him as King in my heart? Have you?

PRAYER: Dear King Jesus, please be the ruler supreme in my heart and life. Amen.

MORE: Only 2 more sleeps!

Advent Calendar - December 23

Christmas Fact:
In Matthew 2, Magi from the East led by a star journey to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem to worship the newborn king.

The word "magi" comes from the ancient Greek magoi, plural of magos and from the Old Persian word magu. Both terms referred specifically to a class of scholar-priests originally from the ancient land of Media, now part of Iran... The magi were famed for their knowledge of astronomy, astrology, dream interpretation, philosophy, and religious ritual.

- Encyclopedia of Christmas p. 346

Open December 23

Adoration of the Magi - painting by Leonardo da Vinci

Baby King

"The Magis" by Isabella Colette

TODAY'S SPECIAL: 1 Chronicles 17:1-15

TO CHEW ON: "And I will establish him in My house and My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever." 1 Chronicles 17:14

It's hard to see a king in a newborn baby. But that's what the angel told Mary her Son would be:

"'He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end'” - Luke 1:32-33.

The angel's words echo what God said to David in our reading today. Though the promise of David's established kingdom was fulfilled in the near term by his son Solomon and descendants, the long-range fulfillment of that forever kingdom finds its fulfillment in Jesus:

Psalm 2:6-8

“Yet I have set My King

         On My holy hill of Zion.”

         “I will declare the decree:

         The LORD has said to Me,

         ‘You are My Son,

         Today I have begotten You.

Ask of Me, and I will give You

         The nations for Your inheritance,

         And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

Psalm 89:35-37

Once I have sworn by My holiness;

         I will not lie to David:

 His seed shall endure forever,

         And his throne as the sun before Me;

 It shall be established forever like the moon,

         Even like the faithful witness in the sky.”  Selah  

Do we think of Jesus as our king? In our attempts to make Jesus accessible, perhaps we have glossed over the fact of His identity as a sovereign ruler. Human royalty can only be approached according to protocol. Does the respect and dignity with which we would enter the presence of a human king impact our relationship with Him?

The wonderful thing is that we are part of His household—His kingly line. The writer of Hebrews tells us "But Christ as Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of hope firm to the end" - Hebrews 3:6.

Do we conduct ourselves as the King's children, with the awareness that we are representatives of His dynasty. Are we confident in His power? Do we live with hope in His ultimate victory?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I want my relationship with You to be based on reality. You are in truth a King. Help me to keep that in mind as I approach You. Help me to live a life that reflects my royal lineage. Amen.


MORE: Only 3 more sleeps

Advent Calendar - December 22

Christmas Fact:


George Frederick Handel’s (1685-1759) Messiah is perhaps the most popular piece of classical music associated with the Christmas season.... Handel never intended Messiah to be connected with the Christmas season. In fact, he wrote the oratorio in the late summer of 1741 and premiered it around Easter of the following year. Subsequent performances during Handel’s lifetime also took place around Easter.

– Encyclopedia of Christmas pp. 365-6

The first public performance of Messiah took place on April 13,1742 in Dublin Ireland.

Open December 22

Detailed story of the writing of Messiah.

Captives no more

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Amos 9:1-15

TO CHEW ON: "And I will bring back the captives of My people Israel..." Amos 9:14

Though Amos's prophecy was a prediction to his readers (in 760-750 B.C.) of the literal return of Israeli captives, we can't help but hear the spiritual overtones.* They reverberate down to us today.

Who comes to mind as a releaser of captives but Jesus? We see Him in the Nazareth synagogue open the book of Isaiah, and hear His voice, full of authority, read these words (from Isaiah 61:1-2):

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,

       Because He has anointed Me

      To preach the gospel to the poor;

      He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

      To proclaim liberty to the captives

      And recovery of sight to the blind,

      To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

       19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD” 

- Luke 4:18-19.

What is He offering healing, sight, and liberty from? John 8 tells us it is SIN.

"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free' .... .Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed'" - John 8:32, 34-36.

The fact that Jesus' coming to earth was part of God's plan to free us from sin's death sentence (Romans 8:1-11) is just one more reason to give thanks and celebrate at Christmas time.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You that Your incarnation, death and resurrection made possible my release from sin's prison. Help me to experience this freedom over sin as I live controlled by Your Spirit. Amen

_________________________
*"When all around is spiritual, there is no reason to take this alone as earthly. An earthly restoration to Canaan had no value except as introductory to the spiritual" - Amos 9:14 commentary in Barnes Notes on the Bible.

MORE: Only four more sleeps

Advent Calendar - December 21

Christmas Fact:



According to early Christian tradition, Jesus was born in one of the caves that local people used to shelter animals. As early as the second century A.D., pilgrims began to visit that cave. The Roman emperor Hadrian (76-138 A.D.) constructed a shrine to the pagan god Adonis over this site. In approximately 325 A.D. after the conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity, the empress Helena (c. 248-328 A.D.) had the temple to Adonis destroyed and built the Church of the Nativity over the presumed site of Jesus’ birth. . . .

Today the Church of the Nativity is an Eastern Orthodox shrine. The cave in which Jesus was born lies underneath the church. Known as the “Grotto of the Nativity,” this underground chamber is a site of intense religious devotion for Christians of many different denominations.

– Encyclopedia of Christmas pp. 47,48

Open December 21

Virtual tour of the Church of the Nativity - Bethlehem

Your new name

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Isaiah 62:1-12

TO CHEW ON: "You shall be called by a new name

Which the mouth of the Lord will name." Isaiah 62:2

Whenever I read about a new name in the Bible, I think of Donna Smallenberg's painting by that title. In it a beautiful queen looks intently at a glowing white stone with an inscription on it. Smallenberg's inspiration for that painting came from Revelation 2 (Revelation 2:17) and Isaiah 62. She says of her depiction:

"This woman representing the overcoming church in Revelations 2 is given a white stone with a new name written on it. The white stone is symbolic of priestly revelation, the new name reveals her true calling and destiny. Isaiah 62 speaks of her shining like the dawn, of being a crown of beauty in the Lord's hand..."

What was her old name? "Forsaken." "Desolate."

Her new name is "Hephzibah"—"My delight is in her," and "Beulah"—"married," and a "Holy People," "The Redeemed of the Lord," "Sought Out," and "A City Not forsaken" - Isaiah 62:12.

This new name promise is repeated in Revelation 3:12:

"He who overcomes I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem... And I will write on him My new name."

Neil Anderson, in an appendix to the book The Bondage Breaker lists statements that summarize our identity in Christ—our new names. Below are a few from a much longer list. Let's ponder them today and thank God again for the wonderful thing He did when He sent Jesus to earth to adopt us and make us His own.

• I am a new creation - 2 Corinthians 5:17.
• I am a child of God - John 1:12.
• I am a son/daughter of light not of darkness - 1 Thessalonians 5:5.
• I am Christ's friend, chosen and appointed to bear His fruit - John 15:15,16.
• I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ's life - John 15:1,5.
• I am God's workmanship—His handiwork - Ephesians 2:10.
• I am one of God's living stones - 1 Peter 2:5.
• I am a joint heir with Christ - Romans 8:17.
• I am a citizen of heaven - Philippians 3:20, Ephesians 2:6.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You that I am Yours and have a new identity in You. Help me to live true to the names You call me. Amen.

MORE: Only 5 more sleeps

Advent Calendar - December 20

Christmas Fact:


Both Gospel accounts of the Christmas story name the birth place of Jesus as Bethlehem. In modern Israel, Bethlehem is located about five miles south of Jerusalem. Its Hebrew meaning is “house of bread” located as it is in a fertile zone of the Judean desert.



Bethlehem was the birthplace of the King David (Old Testament), from whom Jesus is a descendant, according to the genealogy in Matthew. The Jewish prophet Micah also predicted that Messiah would be born in the town of Bethlehem.


Open December 20

More about Bethlehem - ancient to modern times

Nurture your song-life

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Psalm 98:1-9

TO CHEW ON: "Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!

For He has done marvelous things" - Psalm 98:1a

Are you a singer? By that I mean, do you find yourself voicing or humming tunes? Do songs play in your mind and overflow from your mouth?

Songs perform many functions in our society. They tell stories, express love, grief, longing, and outrage. They entertain us and with them we entertain ourselves and each other. Unfortunately we often equate singer with star and feel that if we don't sing well we have no business inflicting our sour notes on others.

But the psalmist never mentions accuracy of pitch or quality of tone when he tells us to sing. One gets the sense that instead of technical skill, it's the spiritual life behind the song that matters. It's a life so vigorous it can't help but find expression in "a new song" and a "joyful shout." It spontaneously erupts in songs and praises, taking advantage of every available music-maker; the harp, the trumpet, and the horn for the Psalm writer (the piano, guitar, drum, synthesizer, violin, cello, bass etc. for us)

The second part of our focus verse—"For He has done marvelous things"—gives us the reason for such songs and a clue about how to nurture a robust song-life. It begins when we move our attention from ourselves to God.

God-ward attention is built into the Christmas season as we celebrate His coming to earth as a baby—a truly "marvelous thing." But our thoughts don't need to stop there. For He has done and is doing "marvelous things" all around us in creation, in history, and in our own lives.

Let's prepare a path for song as we meditate on God's many "marvelous things." Then let's open our mouths and lend our vocal cords to sing the praise, worship, and thanks that flows from our meditation.

"10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)" by Matt Redman




PRAYER: Dear God, may thoughts about You and Your "marvellous things" birth songs in my heart today. When I don't feel like singing, help me to open my mouth in faith that my feelings will follow as I sing anyway. Amen.

MORE: Only 6 more sleeps

Advent Calendar - December 19

Christmas Fact:


Angels played a big part in the first Christmas. And what do angels actually look like? Opinions about that have changed over the centuries.

The very first depictions of angels date back to the time of the Roman Empire. Early Christian paintings of angels rendered them as ordinary men rather than as winged, spiritual beings. Some artists, however, garbed their angels in white robes, resembling a Roman senator’s toga, in order to symbolize their power and dignity. . . . By the fifth century Christian artists from the Byzantine Empire began to depict angels with a disk of light, called a nimbus, behind their heads.

In medieval times most western European artists portrayed angels as masculine in face and form. This trend reversed itself from the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries. After that time western European angels acquired softer, more feminine or androgynous looks. Sometimes they appeared as chubby children or toddlers. Artists often depicted angels with harps or other musical instruments. These emblems signify what some consider to be the primary occupation of angels – praising God.

– Encyclopedia of Christmas, pp. 27,28

Open December 19

Lots of links to angel craft projects here and here.