by Sharon O | Dec 21, 2016 | Uncategorized
The next cast of characters we see in this story of baby Jesus, were the Wisemen.
In our modern day ‘versions’ of Mary and Joseph and Jesus in the manger we often have the Wise-men arriving when the shepherds were there.
That actually was not a very accurate bit of information for it was months even up to a year or two, before they saw the child.
There were no names given that we could know but modern ‘theologians’ say they were named, Gaspar, Melchior and Bathasar.
I am not sure how anyone would know that, but some say these men were considered wise men or Magi.
They brought to the baby special gifts not normally given to a young child.
Gold was considered to be a symbol of divinity, frankincense was a symbol of righteousness, myrhh was a spice used for embalming it symbolizes bitterness, suffering and affliction.
Now if Mary or Joseph knew any of this information it would be quite unsettling for them I would assume.
As young parents you are not expecting these type of gifts given to your tiny little son.
It has been said they arrived on the scene after traveling 800-900 miles on camel or by walking.
It took a long time of travel to get there.
There were no fast cars or ways of travel in those days.
They were sent by Herod who had a motive unknown to them as they traveled.
They were actually doing a ‘duty’ for him, only we will find out later it back fired on Herod.
Some of the nativity story as we know it has been created to make a ‘wonderful little’ story book setting.
It actually was a rough road for many who journeyed their way to Bethlehem.
The travel was long, hard and tiresome.
The marvelous ways God showed up were amazing, and the story continued with each and every character.
The next cast of characters were the wise men, playing a part of the role that God had chosen for them.
They followed the star and trusted in the process.
The teach us to listen to the stillness of God. To follow what they knew to be true.
They humbled themselves and they recognized the worth of their gifts, for they knew the word of God
and they knew it was a appointment for them orchestrated by God.
The story continues as we journey towards the end.
by Sharon O | Dec 19, 2016 | Uncategorized
As they were in the temple with Simeon, Mary and Joseph met another one who had waited for a life time for this moment.
Luke 2:36-38
[Anna the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was by now a very old woman.
She had been married seven years and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings 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 one more important character in this cast of characters.
She was married at a young age we can assume, her husband passes away after seven years. (which by the way is a number that is often used as biblical)
Then it says she was a widow for eighty-four years. So like Simeon she was very old, ninety two plus at least fourteen years. (my guess)
She had patiently waited in the temple for the messiah to come.
Every week, she waited and prayed. Can you even imagine the patience and trust it took for her to believe it would happen, someday?
Every time a young couple would come in with their precious little baby, she wondered and waited and asked herself, is he the one?
When she saw Simeon she knew by the words that he had said, and perhaps by his countenance shown, that THIS was the one.
How exciting for her.
Finally the waiting was over.
Did that mean she could finally leave the temple? we are not told the ending of her story.
We can only begin to believe that God orchestrated each character and each time frame like a scene in a play.
To finish what was started. The theme was “A baby would be born and HE would be the Messiah”.
Luke 2:19
Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
We can begin to be thankful, deep within our hearts just like Mary did, and know that God went to great lengths, to bring us salvation.
by Sharon O | Dec 18, 2016 | Uncategorized
The story continues for Mary and Joseph.
Their little baby becomes a week old and they learn as they can, the responsibility of becoming new parents.
A tradition when one had a little boy was to do the rite of circumcision on the 8th day.
Luke 2:21
[When the eighth day arrived, the day of circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived.]
It was a formal gathering where the baby was given the name chosen and then it was officially done.
On this particular day it was most meaningful for someone who had been waiting…many years.
25-32
[In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel.
And the Holy Spirit was on him.
The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died.
Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple.
As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God:
God, you can now release your servant;
release me in peace as you promised.
With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation;
it’s now out in the open for everyone to see:
A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations,
and of glory for your people Israel.]
33-35
[Jesus’ father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words.
Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother,
This child marks both the failure and the recovery of many in Israel,
A figure misunderstood and contradicted— the pain of a sword-thrust through you—
But the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are.]
This I am sure was not the plan of Joseph and Mary when they took baby Jesus to the temple.
But God…set it up for Simeon to see, (again seeing with our own eyes) the baby.
He had waited all his life and he anticipated this moment many times.
He knew what to look for, as he was in tune with the HOLY SPIRIT’S leading.
This had to be both very exciting and a little confusing for Mary and Joseph.
Still not fully realizing the magnitude and the depth of ‘their little baby boy.’
What we begin to understand while reading this story over and over, is the orchestration of God.
It all happened at the right time, for the right reason with the right people so scripture could be fulfilled.
by Sharon O | Dec 16, 2016 | Uncategorized
What we can learn from this story is for sure obedience and acceptance and even intense trust.
When we read this verse. In Luke 2:
[8-12 There were sheepherders 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.]
First we have to realize who these sheepherders were. They are a group of men who were considered outcasts.
The majority of people in the villages had nothing to do with them. They were rough and rugged.
Not much terrified them. They were used to fighting off wild animals while protecting their sheep.
They were not ‘lightly’ startled either, they were keenly taught to be sheep herders.
Were they standing around the camp fire and all of a sudden someone appeared right beside them?
We are not told what the angel looked like, and how it actually happened.
What about the glory blazing around them, that had to have been very amazing, and a bit scary.
[At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.]
Was it a flash mob of angels in the sky singing and praising God?
That would be enough to make one rethink some thoughts. In awe and wonder and also maybe disbelief?
I find it interesting they sang ‘the right language’ so the sheepherders understood the song.
[15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over.]
Then to see the angel choir go back into the heavenly clouds? that would be amazing too.
The sheepherders talked it over among themselves and said ‘we must go quickly.’
[“Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.”
They left, running,] We have to remember these sheepherders would never leave their precious sheep for any reason.
They knew that it was not an option to leave the sheep unprotected. Yet they did.
They ran quickly. What we can learn from these men is their desire to see with their own eyes.
The baby born in a stable laying in a manger.
[They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing.
They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.]
The other significant issues around this is the sheepherders were not often thought of as reliable resources.
Not believable, not someone who you would trust with information.
They learned to speak with impressionable language and believable attitudes and behavior.
The verse says ALL were impressed. NOT some but everyone.
Kind of like they were the first missionary’s on the stable floor.
They saw, they shared and they were truth tellers for the first time.
What we can learn from this story is the life changing ability of a little baby named Jesus.
The men who were outcasts became acceptable, the men who never were listened to, became credible witnesses.
They told everyone they met, about this life altering experience and as they returned to their field of sheep.
I am sure they shared among each other, the experience and the reason why they all ran to the stable.
by Sharon O | Dec 14, 2016 | Uncategorized
The time came for Mary’s son to be born and with Joseph by her side, she delivered her first child.
A baby boy who they named Jesus.
[In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David.
His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary.
Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her: Good morning!
You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.
She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that.
But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you:
You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.
Luke 1:26-28 MSG]
As she was remembering, I am sure she was overwhelmed with emotions.
The road to the stable was long and hard and she was tired.
You can imagine her feeling exhausted, sad that she left her family, weary from the days of travel.
I am also sure she was overwhelmed with the ‘thought’ of this little baby being someone very special.
As they rested she probably thought back on all the conversations she had shared with Elizabeth.
She remembered how Elizabeth’s baby responded to her voice and how powerful that moment was for them.
So much was on her heart and in her mind and mixed with her emotions of just giving birth.
The next cast of characters to arrive on the scene are the Shepherds.
In Luke we find the story.
[8-12 There were sheepherders 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.”
13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over.
“Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.”
They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
Seeing was believing. (THIS is what WE SEE with our eyes)
They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
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!]
by Sharon O | Dec 13, 2016 | Uncategorized
Mary went with Joseph on the trip to do the census in the town of Bethlehem.
She didn’t have to go as she was not ‘his’ wife, and the custom was for families to be counted.
[Luke 2: He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.]
Our Pastor said today there were a few ‘ideas why’ she went with him.
Joseph was told by the Angel to name the baby Jesus.
If he had gone on without her the baby might have been born before he got back; and his name might not have been ‘chosen to be Jesus.’
Being young the ‘family’ might have chosen a different name for him.
The other idea was she was so far along Joseph didn’t feel right about leaving her alone, so he took her with him to be close to her.
Another idea was to protect her; for to be pregnant without being married would be cause for her to be stoned.
He was saving her life by taking her with him and walking with her on the road together.
The other idea was he had to follow the ‘direction given’ for them to have a baby in a manger, fulfilling the prophecy written.
[6-7 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn.
She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel there.]
Remember this is in the middle of a census which would mean many rooms would be full and many homes not available.
We often remember the ‘story’ of Joseph going door to door asking for a room, and the Innkeeper saying, “there in no room in the inn.”
We don’t really know if that actually happened or if it has been a story passed down just to make it more interesting.
I also read somewhere that if he was to meet family on his side they might have not been accepting of her, since they were not married.
What we do know, Mary and Joseph were to have their little baby in a quiet little stable among the sheep and cows.
Maybe after being with Elizabeth Mary had an idea of what to do during birth, she might not have had a midwife help her.
I am not sure if they tore the donkey’s blanket and made it a swaddling cloth for the baby.
Perhaps they had brought a few baby things, just in case they would need it, before leaving on this road trip.
We are not told about conversations between the two of them, or the discomfort Mary had felt while traveling this ‘long journey.’
Anyone who has ever been expecting knows and understands this would be a very long hard road for her.
Whether she walked part of the way or rode the donkey the whole time, it was not easy or comfortable.
We don’t know many things about this Christmas story, but we do know, it was planned and it was supposed to take place.
In the little town of Bethlehem, so that scripture could be fulfilled.
by Sharon O | Dec 11, 2016 | Uncategorized
The next character we are introduced to; is Joseph.
There is not a lot about him that we know, he was older than Mary, he was a carpenter.
He was a descendant of King David so the lineage for Jesus would be right and accurate.
He was an honorable and righteous man. I would imagine and wonder if he had a ‘religious’ faith.
I also wonder about the conversation he might have had with Mary.
We know she went to go see and be with Elizabeth, maybe as a way for Joseph and herself to have time to think.
To be expecting a baby, without having been with ‘him’, or anyone would be hard for Joseph to understand.
I wonder what they talked about.
She was confused at what the angel had told her, and he must have been confused as well.
Mary seemed to accept her role in this ‘story of Jesus’, now Joseph has to accept this too.
When he has a dream he is told to marry her from the angel.
[Matthew 1:18-19 The birth of Jesus took place like this.
His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph.
Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.)
Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.
20-23 While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream.
God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived.
God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant.
She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.”
This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term:
Watch for this — a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).
24-25 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary.
But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.]
I wonder how this all happened to both of them emotionally.
To have a life ‘altering event’ come at you full force.
Not having a lot of time to think on or ponder about it.
They had to deal with it right then and right away.
During this time frame; Elizabeth gave birth to John and then a census was issued for all people to return to their ancestral towns to register.
Luke 2:6 So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census.
As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
The journey was not easy for them as we will soon find out.
by Sharon O | Dec 9, 2016 | Uncategorized
[39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,
40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”]
When we read these verses we are amazed that John who was not born but very much alive inside Elizabeth,
heard and knew Mary had arrived and HE knew her voice and the truth about her baby filling Elizabeth with the Holy Spirit.
Isn’t that powerful?
Elizabeth who had known Mary all her life realized in an instant, SHE was the mother of Jesus. The chosen one.
It is both amazing and awesome that the bond between these two women were around the miracles they were given.
Both were carrying special son’s and both were chosen to do the miraculous.
After hearing Elizabeth and seeing her excitement, Mary said this prayer.
[ “My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.]
What we are amazed by is her response.
She was a young teen and she has been told she was going to be the Mother of Jesus.
Her response was acceptance, obedience and even peace.
We are not told about Mary’s family, whether she had a mother and a father, but we do know she was close to Elizabeth.
Was she there when John was born? Was she there for Elizabeth to help her in her aging condition?
Many things we don’t know. What we do know is this: We are amazed at the miraculous.
Let us continue on as we move through the Christmas story.
by Sharon O | Dec 8, 2016 | Uncategorized
We know that the story was planned way before it actually took place and we also know God had a certain way for it to play out.
The next person we are introduced to, is Mary.
She was a key player in this ‘story’ and a wonderful example of faithful obedience.
In the New Testament book of Luke:
[26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.
31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.
37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.]
What we believe to be true.
Mary was a virgin and had not been with any man before.
She was chosen and set aside by God; who knew her and understood the condition of her heart.
She asked a simple question, “how can it be?” not unlike the question Zechariah asked. Only she was told the HOW and He was told to be quiet.
The angel validated her question with, the answer “even Elizabeth your aging relative is having a baby too”.
I believe that was making the miraculous more powerful for Mary because she knew Elizabeth’s age.
The preparation of hearts and obedience took place.
Mary had to have been thinking, what shall I do now?
Can you even imagine being told by an angel YOU are highly favored by God?
It would be something very life changing to grab onto and understand, a baby… YOUR baby will be born.
He will be special and He will be chosen just as YOU were chosen.
What we believe to be true is this: Mary was chosen and because of that choice her life was forever altered.
In a very intense way.
Let us continue onto the Christmas story.
by Sharon O | Dec 6, 2016 | Uncategorized
The Christmas story does not begin in the New Testament of the Bible.
It actually began in the Old Testament beginning with Genesis when the word was with God and we read that the word was Jesus.
Then it moves to the book where we find ‘Zechariah and Elizabeth’… as a few of the first key players.
Think of it as act one, in a stage play where the first scene builds to the second and the second builds to the third till the full story is told.
In Luke 1:7 it tells us about Zechariah and how he was a tribal priest and was honored for the ‘first time,’ at a very old age to go into the temple and burn incense.
This was a very formal and special occasion and he had waited for many years to be asked to do this.
[When he went into the temple he was praying and an angel showed up right next to him. (can you imagine?)
When Zechariah saw him he was startled, and gripped with fear.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.
(Remember he is a very old man at this time.)
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you shall call him John.
He will be a joy and a delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.]
Elizabeth was a relative of Mary, and John would be like a cousin born before Jesus but paving the way for his ministry.
This was told and spoken before either of them were born.
He was an important player to the story of Jesus… and his birth.
As we continue to read this story:
[Zechariah had doubts and asked the angel. “how can this be? how can I be sure?”]
I think that was a logical question to ask, for they were both beyond the age of ‘child bearing.’
[The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, I have been sent to you to speak to you and tell you this good news.
And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.]
AT THEIR APPOINTED TIME.
Everything was ordained and orchestrated in order for the story to be told.
God had it planned, He knew when the time was to take place and HE was preparing the way.
What we have read, is this: Nothing is without a plan or reason.
The Christmas story had many players and each one had to be; ‘chosen, set aside and spoken to, in order for the story to be completed.’
Let us continue to see how God in His wisdom creates the Christmas Story.
