MATTHEW 2:10 STAR GAZERS

Excerpt from A Life’s Symphony of Joy

By Rev. Susan R. Slade

Day 31 – Star Gazers

The magi (wise men) had seen a great star from their country in the east and had read a prophecy of a king to be born of the Jews. They had set out following the star, but it disappeared for a time. They inquired of the Jews’ current king, Herod, where this child was to be born. After his scholars informed them the child was to be born in Bethlehem, they set back out on their journey, and the star reappeared. The wise men were not just full of joy when the star came back into view: their joy was exponentially overwhelming. It was also a relief that they could now fulfill their hearts’ desire to worship the baby King. They may or may not have understood that the God of the universe was Jesus’ Father, but they saw the celestial birthday candle, the ultimate celebratory sign in the heavens, to celebrate the birth of His chosen one. The star, which may have even been the Sh’khinah glory of God, led them to the house where Jesus and His earthly parents were staying, and they worshipped Him and gave Him gifts.

Think for just a moment about the glory Jesus left behind in Heaven to endure the sacrifice and humiliation of the cross in order to redeem His forever family. The next time He comes to earth, He WILL come in His full regal kingship. Does this not make you burst with great joy?!

LUKE 2:15-20 SHEPHERDS HERALD GOOD SHEPHERD'S ARRIVAL

SHEPHERDS HERALD 

GOOD SHEPHERD’S ARRIVAL

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.

Luke 2:17-18 (KJV)

An angel appeared to a group of mere shepherds and made the astonishing announcement that the Messiah had been born in Bethlehem. He gave them the even more surprising news that this Holy Baby would be found sleeping in a feeding trough for animals! Then as quickly as the host of angels had appeared in glorious light, they vanished, and the shepherds were once again alone in the dark. The shepherds, like excited children on Christmas morning, ran to see God’s gift to the world. They found everything exactly like the angel had said. Afterward they did the same thing we did as children – they told the entire neighborhood the best gift they had received – a baby born to be the Messiah. They went back to the drudgery of guarding their sheep but with a newfound awe of the Lord. They praised and glorified God as they returned. We wonder if the sheep could sense the change in their shepherds or if even they were aware that the best Shepherd of all was now living among men? Just as we share about our “best Christmas ever,” we are certain those shepherds passed down the story of the night they found their Savior lying in a manger. We imagine their children and grandchildren, eyes bright with wonder, saying, “Tell it again! Tell about the angels and the Baby!” May the wide-eyed wonder of the Christmas story fill our hearts throughout the Year! May the Spirit of Christmas, the celebration of God’s perfect Gift, permeate our lives every day!

Father, let us see once again with wide-eyed wonder the Baby in the manger who was born to die in our place. May the miracle of the virgin birth and even more-so, the miracle of the resurrection constantly fill us with joy! And may we, like the shepherds long ago, proclaim the Messiah to everyone we meet. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2018

LUKE 1:42B-44 JOHN JUMPS FOR JOY

John Jumps for Joy

Unborn baby in the womb, at Mary’s greeting, John jumped for joy.

Filled with the Spirit from conception, he knew Messiah’s mother’s voice.

The Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth’s heart and enabled her to know

the presence of her Lord and Savior in a holy Embryo.

Yet today’s society justifies the murder of an unborn baby,

debating when embryo becomes a person, with no thought that maybe

since children are a gift from God and the fruit of the womb a reward,

A fertilized egg, an embryo, is declared a human soul by the Lord.

If you have already had an abortion, you will find no judgment here.

Mary’s baby was born to redeem you. Forgiveness is yours - draw near

to Jesus who bore our sins on the cross, the Lamb of God, our sacrifice.

Raised to life, He conquered the grave and offers you paradise!

LUKE 1:30-33 MARY TO CARRY MESSIAH

MARY TO CARRY MESSIAH

Luke 1:30-33

Let me set the scene: Mary was a young, devout, Jewish girl going about her daily chores. She was pledged to marry a man named Joseph, but they were not even to the point of setting the wedding date. An angel suddenly appeared out of nowhere—not the norm in the obscure village of Nazareth or anywhere else for that matter. Mary shivered with fear because, in reality, angels are scary. The angel’s opening line is that of most angels when they appear to mere humans, “Fear not.” Just when she is feeling a little bit better about the situation, he drops a bombshell on her. You’re going to be pregnant! And this is going to be no ordinary baby. Gabriel made it abundantly clear that she was to bear the Messiah. First, Mary was to name her baby “Jesus” meaning “Jehovah is generous. Jehovah saves.” Then he said that Jesus would be called “Son of the Highest” meaning He would be God’s Son as foretold in Psalm 2:7. He tops it off by declaring that her son would reign on David’s throne forever and ever fulfilling the prophecies of Jeremiah 23:5 and Isaiah 9:6-7.  If you read on a few verses in Luke chapter one, you will see that Mary was too overwhelmed to take all this in. She asked how this could happen since she was a virgin—a logical question from a human standpoint—but this was a mighty angel of God she was talking to. Gabriel patiently explained that God’s Holy Spirit would accomplish placing the embryo in her womb and that with God nothing is impossible. Then in Luke 1:38, we have Mary’s beautiful response to this unsettling announcement, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

God reveals His purposes for believers in His word, through godly preaching, and by the prompting of His Holy Spirit within. Mary was asked to risk her reputation and her relationship with Joseph and even give up her rights to her own body in order to carry God’s Son in her womb. None of us will be asked to sacrifice in that exact same way. However, whatever God is calling us to do, I pray we will humbly reply, “Be it done unto me according to thy word.” Mary did not achieve fame or fortune in her lifetime but has been remembered with reverence throughout history. We may receive no recognition for our obedience to God while we reside on this ball called earth. However, in Heaven, may we hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

GENESIS 1:27 CHRISTMAS BEGINS WITH CREATION