The night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.
Luke2:9-20
Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.
They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid! he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
The Savior-yes the Messiah, The Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph.
And there was the baby, lying in a manger.
After seeing him the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.
All who heard the shepherds story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.
The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.
It was just as the angel had told them.
[We must remember a part of this story is the shepherds were marginalized people. Not what we could call credible witnesses and yet; the people listened and believed them.
I wonder if God knew they were to be chosen so the story could be told in an amazing way through those who normally would not be listened to by others.
Value is always given when God has a hand in a chosen moment. They were given value and purpose and a reason to share. Isn’t that hopeful for others who seem to think they have no voice?]
The night there were shepherds staying in the fields and their lives would be changed forever.
When Joseph woke up from his dream he did what the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.
But he did not have relations with her until her son was born and Joseph named him Jesus. (Matthew 1:24)
Luke 2 we learn of the birth of Jesus.
At the time of Jesus birth there was a census that was called and all the people were to return to their ancestral town to register for this census.
And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem, in Judea David’s ancient home.
He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.
While they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first born child, a son.
She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available to them.
[Now let’s stop here for a second.]
There was no lodging available because of the census and there were many people in the town.
Also it sounds so simple the way Luke writes it but I would imagine it was not that simple.
If I think of both Mary and Joseph; they would be tired after all that traveling and perhaps feeling a bit desperate to settle in for the night.
Maybe Mary was already in labor and giving Joseph the full details of what she had shared and experienced with Elizabeth while watching John’s birth.
We can only guess and imagine what it was like for this young ‘mommy’ to be and this dad who would be responsible for the ‘Son of God.’
Both were chosen and both were given a role like no other and a place in history for ever.
When Joseph woke up from his dream he knew what he needed to do and he married his wife Mary.
A few days later after the angel met with Mary, she hurried to the hill country of Judea to see Elizabeth.
I am not sure how far that was to walk but it says she hurried, so it was a fast exit out of Galilee to Judea.
The story unfolds like this in Luke 1
When Elizabeth saw Mary and greeted her, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Elizabeth gave a good cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.
Why am I so honored, that the Mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.
You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
Now let us stop for a second.
This is Elizabeth, a relative of Mary’s who has known her all her life. Can you imagine the moment between them?
Mary’s response to her was amazing.
It is called the Magnificat: Mary’s song of praise
Found in Luke 1:46-56
When she was finished with her praise and honor she stayed with Elizabeth; about three months and then went back to her own home.
I am not sure about her own family, or her responses from Joseph or even if HE knew or not.
What I do know is the angel met with Joseph. In the book of Matthew chapter 1 vs 19
Joseph, her fiancé was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.
“Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
(fulfilling prophecy from the Old Testament)
A few days later after the angel met with Mary she saw Elizabeth.
Perhaps even stayed there long enough to see John born, the time frame would certainly be about right for the delivery.
When Elizabeth was six months along with John, an angel met with Mary who was engaged to be married Joseph.
Gabriel appeared to her in Luke 1:28 and he said, “greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.!”
Now we must stop for a second and remember she was only 16, not quite a woman; but God knew.
It said she was, Confused and disturbed as she thought about what the angel had said to her.
Wouldn’t that be the normal response when hearing a greeting like that?
The other thing to remember women who were pregnant and not married were often stoned to death.
It was a serious issue not only for her, Joseph and the families involved.
She must have had many questions and concerns.
Then the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God!
You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.
He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High.”
Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am a virgin.”
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
So the baby to be born will be holy, and will be called the Son of God.
What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age!
People used to say she was barren, but now she is in her sixth month.
For nothing is impossible with God.”
Mary’s response to the angel was, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true,”
Then the angel left her.
{I truly think the angel brought the news about Elizabeth to Mary so she would believe more intensely and with more reality. She knew Elizabeth was old and barren. She also knew she must go see her and see for herself what the angel had said.}
When Elizabeth was six months along with John, Mary went to visit her.
When I think of the Christmas story; I am in awe and in amazement of the amount of players that were used to create the scenes.
It is orchestrated like a screen play with every one doing every little part to make the whole, story complete.
God was so wise to use a simple teenager, and a humble man.
It was perhaps a love story that would be tested from the moment the angel met with Mary.
She was a teen, so young and being told. “You are to be the chosen one.”
She had a tender heart full of acceptance and honor.
Can you even imagine how it started? Being startled by an angel in the room?
Don’t be afraid. (Of course he would have to say that!) I would be terrified.
I have always been amazed over the fact that the angel spoke in a language Mary could understand.
I wonder if sometimes WE get an angel among us telling us things that we hear, but not realizing Who was telling us?
Mary was the chosen one to be the Mother of Jesus.
In Luke 1: The story is written and played out and it unravels with each and every character.
The beginning of it began with Zechariah and Elizabeth who were relatives of Mary.
It was the miracle before the miracle.
Their son, John would be born before Jesus.
Elizabeth was barren for many years and then Zechariah was told they would have a son.
He didn’t believe the angel and so the angel told him to be quiet until the birth took place.
I don’t blame him for doubting, that would be the reaction of many in the same situation.
But God… can do miracles.
A miracle before the miracle.
When I think of the Christmas story I am always in awe of the details and the obedience.
It was all taking place so the day of delivery could happen.
I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30 RSVEnter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5 NRSV
When I read these words it is a great reminder that Thanksgiving is not just a day for good food, and being with family or friends.
It is a day for perspective of giving thanks.
I will SING the NAME of God with a song. I will MAGNIFY HIM with Thanksgiving.
(Those are action words…it requires our participation)
Enter his gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise.
(Go into the sanctuary whatever that may be, an old church or a gym) it doesn’t matter just go with the intention of praise.
Give THANKS to him. BLESS his name
(for we have so much to be thankful for and we are so blessed)
It is a perspective of Thanks.
When someone does something really special for you, it is a common courtesy to write a thank you note to express to that person; what it meant for you to receive.
How can we not do that for God?
Give THANKS with a grateful heart, Give Thanks to the HOLY ONE.
(Who by the way made a way for you and I to receive GRACE)
I love to sing worship and praise songs; it is one thing that will touch my spirit deeply.
To add to that good old Southern Gospel does that too.
I think every church no matter what kind; has books of hymnals or songs of praise on the white pull down boards.
Songs bring us to the place of listening. A place of worship. A thankful place. A place of receiving.
Without God’s intervention we would not have a place of forgiveness.
That in itself is a big one to be thankful for.
Soon we will be sitting around our table with those we care for and love and we will remember to give thanks.
For the blessings we have received, I will praise the name of God with a song.
Maybe for once we can sing the doxology together.
When I think of what we can be thankful for it is easy to make a list and then be done with it.
Not so easy my friend, we must really take in and consider all the many blessings we have surrounding us.
First of all, we live in houses that have heat. We can go to a thermostat and turn it up or down.
Some people do not have that choice.
Second of all, we have fresh running water to make coffee or brush our teeth or shower.
Some people do not have that choice.
We have facilities within our home that keep us clean, such as bathrooms, dishwashers or laundry.
Some people do not have that choice.
We woke up in a warm comfortable bed with clean sheets and warm blankets and soft pillows.
Some people do not have that choice.
We made our breakfast from food that was kept safe in a refrigerator that is cold with an oven that is warm.
Some people do not have that choice.
We walk on clean soft carpeting, as we look out a window that is open to the outside; yet it keeps us safe inside.
Some people do not have that choice.
At any point in time we can get into our car and drive down the road to a grocery store for fresh goods.
Some people do not have that choice.
Are you beginning to get the picture of how blessed we are? How fortunate we are? How thankful we should be?
Not to put a should upon you or me, but so often we complain and get frumpy for no real reason.
We have nothing to complain about when we think of others in different situations that is not our reality.
Inconveniences for us would be a major blessing to some of them.
Not to use the ‘them and us’ concept but you understand what I mean?
When I think of what we can be thankful for it is easy to make a list and be done with it.
May I challenge us all to think more clearly and with more intentions?
Heading into the Thanksgiving season,
I realized the other day that the holiday is almost upon us.
Seems like the year has just raced past us.
We had such an interesting year with a major move, a death and losses on many levels.
I am still recovering from the change.
It was a good change.
We needed to move from a two story home to a single level; only it happened so fast I am still trying to navigate through boxes.
When you pray for a new direction be very aware HE might show you in a mighty way.
Our house sold quickly and we had a very short window of time to find a new one.
Our little home is cozy, and the yard isn’t much; but it’s just enough for us.
I thought I needed all the ‘other’ things we had, but in reality when we moved many of the them were not needed.
We rehomed at least 10 pieces of furniture, boxes of ‘goodwill’ items and an assortment of clothes for a church drop off.
I love to repurpose things, or give things away.
It is fun to bless others with something; Or as a last resort I will sell something.
As we are settling into this new place we call home.
I am feeling most thankful that all of our grand children live close to us.
Our grown children did not move far away so we can see them very easily within an hours drive.
We have a good relationship with both of them and they both call us often.
We can go to events at the schools or extra activities the kids are a part of and it is nice to be a face in the audience.
I feel thankful that our health is good.
I feel thankful that our finances are not in bad shape.
I feel thankful that we have a wonderful church home and a good small group of people we associate with.
Heading into Thanksgiving I challenge you to write down the things in your life you can be thankful for.
I am remembering at the six month mark, my sister has been gone now for half a year.
Still so hard for me to imagine not seeing her, hearing her voice, talking to her.
Even when she was gone in her earlier years sometimes years at a time, she always returned.
Always at Christmas. The holidays brought her home.
Not this time.
Loss happens to all of us on so many levels depending on who is the one we lost.
Sometimes a friend, sometimes a relative, sometimes even a much loved animal friend.
It is always hard to say that final goodbye.
Even Jesus had loss in his life.
When Lazarus died he cried. Two words, Jesus wept.
He wept even though he knew HE had the power to bring him back, he wept because of his love for him.
At times the grief comes close to me and I let it sit and then I wait for it to leave.
It is good to remember.
It is good to remind ourselves; that we were three, and now we are two.
I don’t want to ever forget who she was, oh sure at times she was a pain and her behavior was far from perfect.
But she was a sister. And I did stand up for her over and over many times when we were growing up.
As she got older she needed someone to speak for best interest. I did that too.
I couldn’t always protect her, and she didn’t always want me too.
It was ok to release some responsibility for someone else.
I was the youngest and I am remembering at the six month mark, how much she is missed. I was reminded that it is only 5 months, December will be the 6 month mark.
That is where the power is
I read a quote not long ago and there was no author to give credit to, so I want to share it here.
“When you can’t control what’s happening around you, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening.
That is where the power is.”
Oh I really like this.
When our children were little and when they were acting out over some incident that created a stir for them.
I would often say, “are you reacting or responding?” The decision would then direct my choice as to how to deal with them.
Same idea if I was disciplining them. If they are over reacting then it’s a bigger problem. If they chose to respond in a good way.
We both won.
The power is controlling our response.
Often we may be angry, or frustrated or worried or the many other things we can feel but how we show that is very important.
I have seen people come out of horrendous situations and remain calm and with the attitude, “I made it”.
I have also seen some who could come out of the same situation really angry and bitter.
One friend I remember who was coming through a terrible divorce remained very angry for many years.
How much time was wasted by allowing that bitter attitude to steal joy, peace and calm.
Some things will happen in our lives which we have no control over.
We may lose our job, our home, our health, our loved one.
The biggest choice we will have in those moments, is how we respond.
How will we make it through. How we will get to the other side.
If others are watching; what story are they reading when they see us push through the ‘issues’?
That is where the power is, the way we respond.
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Philipians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. ==================== Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." Courage is not the absence of fear but it's taking action in the midst of it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A diamond is a chunk of coal that made good under pressure.
It's your heart, not the dictionary that gives meaning to your words. Matthew 12:34 (msg) version.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Below you will find a few of my favorite websites or blogs. They have given me encouragement and challenged me on this journey.
Ann Voskamp's blog~ A holy Experience ~ This image of a bleeding heart represents a journey of healing from brokenness to wholeness. Some of my favorite books: One thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Married over 44 years and entered into my 63rd year of life.
I am a mother of two and grandmother of six and mom to two new kitties. I love to worship and encourage and of course write whenever I can find a topic or subject to share about.
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Thank you for visiting my blog.
I hope you find it encouraging and that it gives you
'Something to think about'. The vision for this is to challenge the reader into a new and different way of thinking. I appreciate and always value your comments. Having others walk alongside and join in the sharing is part of the process.
Thank you for joining me... on this journey. As we get encouraged ~ Lord help us to encourage others. "And the day came when the risk to remain a tight bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Anais Nin my blog button The crosses are found on a beach at Winema Christian Camp on the Oregon coast.. a place to relax and find God in the process. My favorite place ....to rest and restore my spirit.
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Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.
I was reminded that it is only 5 months, December will be the 6 month mark.
