Category: Christmas

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:9

God speaks and things materialize where there was once nothing.  God pushes galaxies around with the tip of His finger. He breathes over a silent, colorless world and it wakes, breaking out in green and light and birdsong. Such power cannot be measured or managed; it is limitless, uncontainable, beyond the reach of our imagination. And yet this same God wrapped Himself in skin, took shape in the hidden darkness of a virgin’s womb, and stepped into our timeline as a fragile, crying child. He did not simply reflect the image of God the way we do; He was—mysteriously, wholly—God Himself in human flesh.

Jesus showed us what happens when God lives through a person. Jesus restrained His power with wisdom, but when it was unleashed, the dead were raised, storms ceased, and the blind were made to see.  His power was not limited because of the effects of the Fall and the cancer of sin.

I am limited, however.  I am narrowed and weakened by the effects of the Fall, marked by the slow corrosion of sin. And yet, as one made in the image of God and redeemed, washed by the blood of the Lamb, I have become a dwelling place for the Spirit of God. His presence lives in me. Is there evidence of that indwelling for others to see? Is there a shimmer of His glory in my words, my choices, my way of moving through the world?

When He prompts me to speak, am I willing to open my mouth and let words of healing and truth come out, trusting His power to move through my frail frame? Or do I shrink back, forgetting that I am not empty—that I am, in fact, inhabited? Perhaps my hesitation reveals not humility, but amnesia: I have forgotten that I can be possessed, fully and beautifully, by the Holy Spirit.

Help me fully understand what Your incarnation means for me. It’s so loaded with implications and I know I haven’t begun to grasp it. Amen

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1

The darkness of this world has always been overwhelming. No matter where we study history, there are stories of unspeakable cruelty. Our lasting shred of innocence is shattered by what we see on the evening news. 

The differences between the darkness of evil and the light of the glory of God are incomprehensible.  I don’t understand the full extent of God’s holiness, nor do I understand Satan’s villainous nature. I can’t even grasp the evil of my heart or the power of what it means to be created in the image of God. If I knew the possibilities of what it really means to have His Spirit inside, wouldn’t it culminate in a blazing fire?  Wouldn’t passion drive out all vestiges of a numbed-out existence? 

The Light of the world entered our violent world quietly. His light was only visible to some, contrasted by the darkness of the Roman Empire, a corrupt and vicious dictatorship. The nation of Israel suffered in the shadows of evil and languished for a Messiah to deliver them. His birth was preceded by 400 years of interminable silence. The one they had been crying out for, Jesus, arrived, yet they didn’t celebrate.

God loves to reveal His glory. And how much more so at Christmastime is the wonder of heaven revealed! I want to take part in the celebration. I’m asking God to open my spirit wider to feel the impact of heaven and earth colliding. 

Let me hear the music. In Jesus name, Amen

The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee.  Isaiah 26:3

Under what conditions does Jesus promise peace?  This verse from Isaiah gives solid direction.  Those who are steadfast in their mind, who choose to trust, will be kept in perfect peace.  If I do not have peace, it is because my mind has taken a detour to a place of dis-trust.  I have allowed my interpretation of my circumstances to rule me, and subsequently, they have taken my emotions captive.  My beliefs are the problem, not Jesus’ inability to bring peace.

Jesus was the WORD and He grew to say many things.  My choice to dis-believe Him is what erodes a deep, inner calm.  I must be intentionally steadfast and resolved to trust Him implicitly despite the mounting evidence against His faithfulness.  He is God and He is always faithful, always loving, always true to His promises.  Upon these truths my life rests.  Period.  My theology can not be defined by circumstances.

To provide an illustration for how peace is found, here’s a personal example.

I once prayed over the course of a decade for God’s intervention in a certain area of my life.  During that time, I saw no evidence of His future provision.  I lived despairingly, but eventually, I believe the Spirit of God moved through me to confess this out loud:  “You are a faithful God who hears the prayers of Your child.  You answer every prayer with perfect love.  You hold Yourself responsible to meet my needs. I trust You and wait on You with full confidence that You will come and You will save.”  I confessed this often, many times a day.  Soon after, peace followed.  And soon after, so also did God’s deliverance.

I used to pray for peace as though it were all up to God.  I took no personal responsibility for laying the foundation of faith.  I let my mind wander where it wanted and my thoughts were often a cesspool of doubts and confusion.  I’m learning that peace of mind is always a two way street.  If I do my part, God’s promise of peace will descend upon my ragged spirit.

Oh Prince of Peace, I honor Your promises in every area of my life that still waits for Your deliverance.  Amen 

Before the foundation of the world, Jesus was Light.  That didn’t change at His incarnation.  Whether infant, boy child or the adult Jesus in full-time ministry, He was always the Light of the world. And I know what spiritual light does.  It draws and warms the searching heart but also exposes and convicts.  I am naive to think that the full ramifications of living as God’s righteous Son only began in His adulthood.  It wouldn’t be long after Jesus’ birth that His righteous gaze saw clear through people, even the souls of His parents.  I sometimes wonder if young Jesus was punished simply because the adults felt exposed by His light.   Guilt and shame often initiate rash acts of revenge.

Though scripture doesn’t fill in the blanks of Jesus’ childhood, there are things I can safely assume because of who Jesus is.  His light exposes darkness, whether a child, adolescent, or adult.  It divides children’s play.  It challenged the rabbis in the temple.  It pierced the conversations at family gatherings.  I am to live the life Jesus lived by choosing light and rejecting darkness.  With Him dwelling in me, He enables me to sort one against another. This spiritually inductive process happens all day long and has the same combustible reactions in a group that Jesus experienced.  From the moment I am set apart for sanctification, His light in me draws or offends.

Other disciples can lead me in paths of righteousness, but not always.  How well I sort out and separate light from darkness will depend on how well I know Jesus.   I affirm my worship of the Light of the world, even as the cooing infant in Mary’s arms.

Light is clean, direct, and reveals everything in its path.  Darkness is obscure, tormenting, and hides the path I am to take.  Oh Lord Jesus, I choose Your way.  Amen

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges. He [Jesus] took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. Philippians 2:7

I’ve witnessed the pain a parent feels when their child boards a plane for far off places. The mission field beckons with all of its rewards and its dangers. The parents can’t foretell the future so they are not certain they will see their child again. They grieve as if they might not. Yet, they rejoice that some future reunion will ultimately be an eternal one.

Christian parents know it won’t be easy. The more hostile the culture to Christianity, the more danger their child faces. There will be want, discouragement, defeat, even threats of persecution. There will also be mountaintops, spiritual victories, and unexpected miracles. Does God understand a parent’s misgivings and broken heart when goodbyes are said? Yes, He experienced it firsthand.

The Trinity had always been together, functioning in perfect harmony from before time. Their synergy is described in terms of a rhythmic slow dance. They moved in perfect sync. Each had a clearly defined role and the execution of them was achieved without the slightest hint of friction.

Imagine how their rhythm was disrupted when the Son left the Trinity to go to His mission field. Intimacy was disrupted as the Son became a child in Mary’s womb. God, the Father, bade His Son goodbye and watched Him leave. God was able to see into the future. There was no fear of the unknown but there was pain. He knew what awaited His child. He envisioned the 40 days of temptation in the desert. He knew Lucifer intimately and could predict the all out war that would be waged. God knew who would accept Jesus as the Messiah. He knew the faces of those who would openly reject Him, too. He foresaw the close calls; the brushes with death as crowds plotted to kill Jesus. He meticulously planned each way of escape to ensure that His Son would fulfill His mission at Calvary. And yes, the Father also rejoiced, in advance, over the disciples that would be called and mentored. He looked down through the ages and saw an unstoppable church on the move. It would be battered but it would prevail. He saw it all and He felt what human parents feel at their child’s departure. Joy and agony.

As Mary welcomed her newborn Messiah, God had just said goodbye to a part of Himself. From a human perspective, the plan was ludicrous and treacherous. From a divine perspective, there was no other way. The love story of the ages was being written. It was the only way His estranged creation could be restored to paradise.

Father, You gave it all up too. Thank you for counting the cost and deciding that Your creation was worth loving so recklessly. Amen

And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.  Luke 2:40

Few people are offended by Baby Jesus unless you’re Herod and feel the need to defend your crown at all costs.  Overall, it’s non-threatening to consider kneeling at a manger where Baby Jesus lay sleeping.  He has not yet opened His mouth to speak.

Worship became more challenging however as Jesus grew and His wisdom cut across the grain of people’s sinful natures.  Jesus was full of wisdom, Luke reported, and His sinless perfection made itself evident when He opened His mouth to speak.

I heard a great definition for wisdom the other day.  I can’t give credit to the teacher because I turned on the radio in the middle of the program.  He said, “Wisdom is knowing what Jesus would do when there is no biblical precedent.” Jesus always knew the right thing to do in any given situation.  In the dailyness of life, the places where tempers were short, selfishness reigned, angry words were spoken, and kids acted like kids and played cruel jokes on each other, Jesus never sinned – and probably confronted sin – even as a child.  Were there moments when even Mary’s worship was difficult?  I suspect so.  Her sinfulness was constantly exposed in the presence of her perfect Son.

In John 6, Jesus knows He has offended His disciples with the truth.  Many of His followers left Him that day and He asks His friends if they want to leave too.  He knows that truth repels and discipleship is costly.

As I bow at the manger to worship this Christmas, I renew my vows to worship the Infant, the Christ-child, and the God-man who came to show me the Father and guide me into all truth.  As 2018 approaches, I will worship when I love His words and they make me feel good and I vow to also worship when His words are hard and upsetting.   I know that I need to worship most when I am offended the most.

Jesus, You shaped Your world, even as a child.  You were Lord, even in a manger.  You have my worship in all the hard places.  Amen

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?  I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. Psalm 13:1-2,5

The theme of waiting saturates the whole redemption story. God waited a long time to send a Savior after the fall of Adam and Eve. Did they look for Jesus after they were banished from the garden? If they understood the prophetic words God spoke over them, they did. They had known the love of the Father in the garden, and though the consequences of their sin were staggering, I’ve no doubt they knew that God would come to save them.

In their lifetime, however, He didn’t come. Though He made a way for their sins to be covered through the sacrifice of innocent animals, it wasn’t the same as a Savior coming to take away their sin and restore them to paradise. In fact, things just got worse. Their descendants saw evil compounded. The god of this world took center stage as He appeared to be the one who controlled everything. Where was God? Where was the promised Savior?

‘How long, O Lord?’ was the cry of the ages. Injustice, suffering, and havoc created by an enemy who relished destruction appeared to have the last word as God’s people waited for their Messiah. It appeared that He was late and uncaring. Their lament through the ages filled His ears, but so did their well-ordered proclamations of faith. They endured the scourges of many enemies and captivity in Babylon. They saw the destruction of their beautiful temple, waited four hundred more years through an interminable period of silence, and then bent under the weight of Roman rule before Jesus finally came. Their cries for rescue were so desperate that they couldn’t recognize the Miracle when He arrived. Never could they guess that their answer was a sleeping baby in an animal’s cradle.

Today, we are in a new waiting period. Emmanuel came once, stayed a while, but promised that He would come again. Though we saw the mystery unveiled partly at Bethlehem, mankind – and the earth he has destroyed – has not yet been restored to its original condition. Why is God, again, waiting so long to rescue? How can He restrain Himself from coming when evil is rampant upon the earth? The nature of waiting is to have unanswered questions. The challenge of waiting is to find the spiritual grit to make proclamations of faith while we scan the horizon for His appearing.

In every way you might be watching for His salvation this Christmastime, do not let Your trust in God be shaken. Rest in the mystery of His timetable. Grieve – but not without faith. Expect ~ but without a sense of entitlement. Question ~ but not with a fist. History will always reveal that love prevailed in the waiting.

You don’t always come sweeping in to make a grand statement. Many miss the salvation of a Bethlehem moment. Don’t let it be me. Amen

Vast caravans of camels will converge on you, the camels of Midian and Ephah.  The people of Sheba will bring gold and frankincense and will come worshiping the Lord.  Isaiah 60:6

God’s children have difficulty predicting what answered prayer will look like.  Because our view is limited, we struggle with prayer.  We wrestle with God and wonder if He will, indeed, give us what is good.  To believe that all His decisions are driven by love requires faith.

Never was this more true than in the Christmas story.  God provided clues of His loving-kindness in some instances but left us looking for them in others.  Like ~ He could have ensured a more comfortable journey to Bethlehem for a woman about to give birth.  He could have inspired wealthy travelers to feel compassion for her and extend generosity.

The struggles and the miracles in the life of Jesus continued all the way to His resurrection.  We saw God’s supply but also the restraining hand of God as His Son suffered many things.  In this, our own faith is challenged.  Can we call Him ‘good’ after a trail of hardships and tragedies?

I have seen the miraculous in my life.  So have you.  God showed up in unexpected places with just what I lacked.  I prayed for help, and God came swiftly.  I have also waited a long time for other things before seeing an answer.  I don’t know why He waited, but when He finally did move, I can tell you that it felt like the right time. In the waiting room of prayer, waiting was not my enemy, though it sure felt like it.   God knew the benefits as my spiritual grit was increased, scripture was explored, faith was exercised, patience was learned, and a greater compassion for others was born.

Both you and I have an unanswered prayer today.  God will break through with saving power and redemption for each of them.  If not today, then one day.

When You save, Lord, I will thank You for doing all things well. Amen

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem.  Matthew 2:16

Mothers wept over their slain children.  Wailing was heard beyond the boundaries of Bethlehem.  Herod’s rage had caused him to strike with a broad stroke.  Every male child, age two and under, had been murdered.

The king’s act was preposterous.  He was seventy years old.  If an infant child were to grow and assume the throne, it wouldn’t be in his lifetime.  Jesus was no threat to him professionally!  But Herod wasn’t out to protect his reign of power; he was out to exact revenge.  A mind-set bent on revenge ignores rationality.

It’s easy to focus on the miracle of Jesus’ deliverance.  His life was spared because his parents had been warned in a dream about the coming danger and had fled to Egypt.  Yet the losses of these other families are part of the story, too.  Parents of these slain children had no perspective on their loss.  They did not know that their sons were martyrs, slain for the cause of Christ.  Their sons died so Jesus could grow up and, one day. hang on a cross, give his life, and offer them all something greater.  The forgiveness of sins.  Redemption.  Intimacy with the Father who once walked with Adam.

Time brings perspective. I can look back at my life and say in retrospect, “Yes, I lost that, but later God gave me this!”  We grieve without hope unless we embrace the One and only Redeemer.  The stories of our spiritual ancestors teach us that our weeping is not in vain.  We can pursue our redemption and trade our losses for something infinitely greater.  Spiritual riches surpass the weight of our tears.

Weeping is a part of life.  But I do not cry without hope.  Jesus, you promise to redeem my losses.  I look to you, for you write the future.  Amen

Journal Question:

You are approaching the home of a mother whose little boy was murdered by Herod’s soldiers.  What would your comfort look like and sound like?  Knock on the door and walk through the experience.  Formulate your words based on solid theology.

Can you feel me near you?  You are still part of the Trinity, just incarnate and tiny.  Let me soothe away the confinement you’re feeling, Son.  Tomorrow, you will no longer be cramped.  You will gasp your first breath of earth’s air and stretch your legs.  This is both awesome and terrifying for you.

The moment is upon you, my Lamb.  This is what we planned from before time when we looked ahead and saw the earth break apart from sin.  Lucifer, once our friend, is still your foe.  He is on the prowl and out to destroy your life.  But take care because he has no power over you.  You are small but you are protected.  I will do all that is necessary to ensure that you make it to the cross.  I’ll send dreams to Joseph and he will listen.  He is a righteous man and will look after you.

Fear not, my Son, when life feels fragile. I have gone before you. Threats will be empty and under my sovereign control.  For all you will suffer, my heart already aches.  For all you will conquer, I already celebrate.  For all those you will love for me, my heart is already grateful.

No one will ever be closer to you than me.  I am your Father and I love you.  One day, you will be a man and tell your followers about us.  You will say, “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”  Keep telling them.  Let them see us together – all the way to the cross.

Tonight, hear my voice.  Rest.  I will rock you to sleep.