by Sharon O | Dec 18, 2018 | Uncategorized
The wise men’s story continues in Matthew 2 the first book of the New Testament.
[Matthew 2 King James Version (KJV)
2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.”
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt]
So they eventually headed to Nazareth where they stayed for many years.
The birth of Jesus is full of intensity, miracles, and communication between angels and men.
It is a wonderful outpouring of God’s great love for us.
A baby was born so we could see; that God would go to great length’s for us to be saved and have salvation through a Savior.
As we read the Christmas story I pray we can see and feel; this wonderful orchestration of love through what God has done for us. I also pray we find hope and renewing of spirit and soul.
{Till he appeared and the soul found it’s worth}
by Sharon O | Dec 16, 2018 | Uncategorized
What we learn about the next ones we are introduced to within the story; the wise men.
In our modern day nativities we often have them standing next to Joseph and Mary and the Shepherd and angel; maybe a camel or two.
That is actually not very accurate to what really took place.
Modern scholars say it was almost a year before they showed up to see baby Jesus.
They had to travel far and follow the star, and although we were never told names modern theologians believe they were Gaspar, Melchor and Bathasar.
I am not sure how any one knew that, but some say these men were the magi or wise men.
They brought the baby Jesus special gifts that were not normally given to a new mom and child.
Gold was considered to be a symbol of divinity, frankincense was a symbol of righteousness, myrhh was a spice used for embalming; symbolizes bitterness, suffering an affliction.
Now if Mary or Joseph knew any of this information it would be quite unsettling for them; to receive these gifts for their baby.
As young parents you are not really expecting more visitors who traveled 800-900 miles by foot or by camel just to see you.
There were no Uber drivers or fast ways of travel back then; it was all by foot.
They were sent by Herod to check out this little baby born; and his motive was unknown to them as they traveled to see where he was located.
They were doing a duty for him and later on we will find out it back fired on Herod.
Some of the nativity story as we know it has been created to make a wonderful Christmas story.
The reality of long tiresome journeys were a part of it. The roads were not easy and the tremendous difficulty was real for everyone.
The next cast of characters were the wise men fulfilling the scriptures and playing a role that God had created for them.
They followed the star and trusted the process.
They teach us to listen to the stillness of God; as they followed what they knew to be true.
They humbled themselves and they recognized the worth of their gifts, for they knew it was a special appointment for them.
The story continues as we learn and read more. The story of Christmas was all orchestrated by God.
It also was about obedience, and trust and the power of love within the story.
by Sharon O | Dec 14, 2018 | Uncategorized
What we can be thankful for.
As they were in the temple with Simeon, Mary and Joseph met another one who had been waiting for years for this moment.
Luke 2:36-38 [ Anna the prophetess was also there, She was by now a very old women. She had been married seven years, and a widow for 84. She never left the temple area, worshiping night and day with her fasting and prayers.
At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.]
Anna becomes the more important character in the cast of characters. She was married at a young age, we can assume since her husband passed away after seven years. (which is a biblical number)
Then it says she was a widow for 84 years so like Simeon she was very old.
She had waited patiently for the messiah to come. Week after week,.
The patience and trust it took for her to wait and know and believe.
Every time a young couple would come with their baby she would wonder. Is this the one? When she saw Simeon and his reaction she KNEW.
How exciting and how final for her. Did that mean she could leave the temple? we are not told that. All we know is God orchestrated each character to tell the story.
A baby would be born in and HE would be the Messiah. Luke 2:19
by Sharon O | Dec 10, 2018 | Uncategorized
What we begin to understand in the story of baby Jesus; he was not an ordinary baby and this was no ordinary birth. As they learned to be parents I believe they were learning to love each other along with this little child. In Luke 2:21 it tells us that they had to go to the temple and name him and he would also be consecrated as the scripture recorded. It was a formal gathering and on that particular day it was extremely special. [Luke 2:25-32
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.]
I am sure when Mary and Joseph headed to the Temple they had no idea scripture would be fulfilled again. God set it up for Simeon to see him, (again seeing with our eyes). He had waited all his life for this moment and because he was in tune to the spirit HE KNEW this was the one. What we begin to understand over and over is the orchestration of God. It had to happen at the right time, for the right reason, with the right people, so scripture could be fulfilled.
by Sharon O | Dec 9, 2018 | Uncategorized
What we can learn from the story is obedience changes lives.
When we read about the sheepherders we have to understand they were marginalized people.
Not overly accepted in the towns because of appearance and their dirty jobs.
The majority of people in the villages had nothing to do with them.
They were rough and rugged and very little would terrify them.
We are not told what the angel looked like when it was standing next to them around the fire.
I would imagine it was startling to see someone there.
The sky brilliantly showing choirs of angels and light had to have been startling for them too.
They knew the skies they had seen them every night, but this night was different for them.
I find it interesting the angels sang in the language of the sheepherders; so they could hear and understand the words that were spoken.
What would it have been like to see the angel choir come from heaven and then go back?
When they decided to ‘go see’ this baby born in the manger; we are told they ran as fast as they could.
Now we have to remember, they would never leave their sheep. It was never an option to leave them unprotected, yet we are told that’s what they did.
What can we learn from these rough and rowdy men? They had a deep desire to go see for themselves.
They left to go see Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. Seeing, made them believe and then they became credible witnesses declaring what they saw to everyone in the town.
They spoke with impressionable language and believable attitudes and for the first time others were impressed by them. They had value.
The verse said, [all were impressed] not some, but everyone.
They were sort of like the first missionaries declaring the truth of what they had experienced.
What we can learn from the story is the life changing ability of little baby who is the Savior.
They were marginalized men whose only purpose was to tend to sheep and then they became truth tellers.
Transforming them as their life altering experience took place.
It is all a part of the miracle.
