To be chosen

by Sharon O | Dec 25, 2012 | Uncategorized

In the day when Jesus was born the shepherds were not the most popular people.
They were considered out casts. Dirty. Not necessarily socialized we could even say they were marginalized people.
Yet the angels came to them first.
In the night as they were watching their sheep.
They were rough and mean. The the role of a shepherd was to fight off intruders or predators that might want to hurt their flock of sheep.
The were fearless. They were used to being out in the dark following and chasing off shadows of threat or intent.
When the angels came the word tells us they were ‘terrified’.
That is a strong word describing their state of behavior.
Luke 2:8-12 (msg)
There were sheepherders (shepherds) camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them.
They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
They were terrified.
(Those rough and tough men who would fight off lions or other predators were terrified when they saw the Glorious angels.)
13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:

19-20 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen.
It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!

Can you even imagine being the first ones told about the birth of the baby?
The Savior, Messiah?
They were chosen as outcasts to be very important.
Isn’t it like God to do that?
Hope comes to all of us no matter where we are in life.
Glory to God…God chooses us in spite of what others say or what we say about ourselves.
He found value and chose them to see and hear so they could be credible witnesses to the special birth.
Isn’t it wonderful to be chosen?

In a town

by Sharon O | Dec 22, 2012 | Uncategorized

When it came time for Mary to deliver I wonder what she felt like.
Not knowing what to expect and not having a doctor to discuss with her how it all would take place.
I wonder how did she know what to do?
She might have been told by Elizabeth but she had never had a child either.
Joseph most likely was no help other than to support her in the best way he could.
His experience was as minimal as hers.
How would they deliver a little baby in a stable filled with animal smells and perhaps nothing clean to lay down on?
There might have been the blanket that was on the donkey covered in donkey hair and matted smells after the long journey.
Perhaps Joseph tore his robe and made a comfortable bed of cloth for her.
I don’t imagine they packed much on the donkey as they began their journey.
This stable or barn or whatever it was had no comforts of home for her.
There are so many questions and we have no answers.
Mary was to deliver her baby without pain medications and without family support.
Could God have eased her pain miraculously?
Perhaps the innkeepers wife came and helped out.
We are not told of the details.
We don’t even know if there was fresh water to wash the baby off with after the birthing process.
Or a light of some sort to even see the newly born baby.
So much is not shared.
So much we have to guess and fill in our own blanks.
So much is prophetic yet so much is so normal.
Just like the young mom who had no choice but to stop and lay down and deliver
the baby who was to be born.
In a town called Bethlehem life took place and hope came into the world.
In a town called Bethlehem the cries of a young family took place.
The wonder. The majesty. The fulfillment of all they had been told.
A new baby was to be born.
Their baby.
Would change the world.

The journey

by Sharon O | Dec 20, 2012 | Uncategorized

The journey to Bethlehem was not an easy one.
Walking for miles and riding on a donkey.
Can you even imagine being round with child and riding a donkey?
It could not have been easy for Mary.
It was a long journey and for many miles they walked together.
Can you imagine Joseph leading as turmoil took place in the land?
It was not a quiet time.
There was a census being taken with much chaos and also
a baby ready to be born.
I imagine Joseph felt the pressure to find a place of comfort for them to sleep and rest and wait.
Not too different than any other expectant father who wants to take care of his family.
He tried to find a place but there was very little opportunity.
I wonder how desperate he began to feel.
I even read a blog one time about the the role of the donkey.
Jesus rode a donkey into a town before his crucifixion.
We have read the story as it was days before his death.
Mary rode a donkey days before his birth.
What a journey.
What a life.
What a Savior.
So many never knew or realized the prophecies fulfilled concerning his birth.
Even the closest to them never knew the significance of the moments.
Can you imagine the innkeeper who later realized after he said,
“I have no room for you” that the baby was born in his stable?
The journey was anticipated yet hardly understood.
Even now we sometimes fail to understand.