by Sharon O | Dec 17, 2015 | Uncategorized
The other night as I was talking to my husband about the Christmas story, I asked him who I was missing.
I have covered all the players I think, the story is mostly over at this point.
The angels visit Mary and Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary and Elizabeth, the baby is born, and both shepherd’s and wise men, have come.
Mary and Joseph headed back home now that Herod is gone. The life of Jesus continues but I was not figuring out my new direction in telling this story.
He has been reading a book that I read and really enjoyed and I recommend it to you too.
Flash by Rachel Anne Ridge.
He said, “You are forgetting the donkey.” I looked at him as if to say, “what? no one talks about a donkey.”
But that is the point. In Rachel’s book she shares how wonderful Flash was, and how he came to mean so much for them as a family.
She shares the delightful character of her ‘donkey’ and the lessons learned from him.
It almost made me want to go out and find one for our yard, only we don’t have a farm.
Mary and Joseph had a donkey too. In fact, if you think about all the traveling they had to do in her fragile condition.
Without a donkey she could not have made it so far.
A simple donkey played a very important role in the Christmas story.
As they traveled over rocks and hard places, she trusted it’s strong legs and soft back.
I imagine how she held onto the hair with it tightly wrapped around her fingers, trying not to fall off with each step the donkey took.
She was able to rest and find some comfort, while riding on this ‘pack animal’ who made her trips so easy.
Amazing how God uses what we would not consider, to get a message to us, and also to tell his story.
This is not the first time God used a donkey, in the book of Numbers in the Old Testament, we find Balaam in chapter twenty two verse thirty.
Balaam had disciplined his donkey for not going in the direction he told to go, and the donkey responded to him.
[And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?”
And he said, “No”] He meaning Balaam. Now we have to stop for a second because a donkey talked and a man responded.
All things possible with God right?
I wonder what the donkey could have told us about the travel time, with Mary and Joseph. Now that would be quite the conversation!
And also remember when Jesus enters into the city as a grown man, during the triumphal entry in John twelve verses fourteen through sixteen.
[Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said,
“Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look your King is coming riding on a donkey’s colt”]
So we can see now that the donkey is very important to the Spirit of Christmas and the story of Jesus.
We cannot have the story without the donkey. Joseph needed the help of his ‘long time’ donkey to pack food, blankets and Mary.
One more character added to the story of Jesus. A simple donkey doing what is most natural to him.
How wonderful of God to use what we consider not usable, in the powerful story of His Son.
by Sharon O | Dec 16, 2015 | Uncategorized
The next scene we move into was after the wise men left Mary and Joseph.
In the book of Matthew verse thirteen we find the angel appearing to him.
[After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.
“Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said, “Stay there till I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”]
We all have had ‘dreams’ that were disturbing but this one for Joseph, must have been quite upsetting.
I am not sure how far Egypt was from where they were, but it could not have been an easy task especially in a hurry as the angel said to flee quickly.
It is not like they could get in a rental car and drive there. It was a journey that would take time.
And how did he explain this ‘dream’ to Mary? she had to trust him and go.
The story continues in verse fourteen.
[That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there till Herod’s death.
This was fulfilled what the Lord had spoken to the prophet: “I called my son out of Egypt.”
Herod was furious when he realized the wise men had outwitted him.
He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.
Herod’s brutal actions fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
A cry was heard in Ramah–weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.]
Ok let’s stop here. Let us think for a moment, imagine yourself in their thoughts and feelings.
Mary and Joseph were running for safety, and realizing at some point in time, what was going on in the lands.
Can you even begin to imagine the chaos, the sorrow, the intensity, and for Mary and Joseph the burden weighing down on them for all the baby boys?
As a young mom her heart had to have been moved so intensely, feeling the depth of despair for even perhaps some of her friends?
I would imagine the words spoken to her in Luke two verse thirty five: [and a sword will pierce your very soul.] played back in her mind and heart.
We have all had a deep soul hurt. An intense pain that is not even describable.
This was the beginning for Mary.
Prophecy was fulfilled at the cost of pain and agonizing grief. Also through the jealous words of a man concerned about nothing but himself.
We have to understand the birth of Jesus was not just a warm fuzzy baby in the manger time.
It was filled with many emotions and feelings, for many who played a part in this drama.
Each scene, each person, orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, as the spirit of Christmas continues.
It is a story of obedience and sacrifice. A story of a savior who fulfilled prophecy in the city of Bethlehem.
by Sharon O | Dec 15, 2015 | Uncategorized
The next scene we see in this story of Jesus is found in Matthew two verse one:
[Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod.
About that time some wise men (royal astrologers or magi) from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw a star as it rose (or star in the east), and we have come to worship him.”
King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.
He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”]
Let us pause for a moment as you can get this scene in your ‘story’.
The wise men have come to see the new baby king, Herod became worried, concerned and even jealous of his kingdom being taken by a new ruler.
A newborn king is definitely someone to be scared or afraid of, especially if you are a king who is unsure of yourself.
So in verses seven and eight, Herod set up a meeting to discuss how the wise men would go see this new baby, and then come back to let him know where he was found, so he ‘could’ go worship this little baby king too.
Now that was not a true motive, and we will find more about that out later.
In verse nine we see what takes place next:
[After this interview (the one with Herod) the wise men went their way.
And the star they had seen in the east guided them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
They entered the house and saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.
Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.]
When reading this we must not forget the meaning of these gifts given to the new baby.
Gold equals money, wealth and riches. Frankincense was an aromatic gum resin used primarily in incense or religious ceremonial practices.
Myrrh is also an aromatic used for incense or perfume. It was not uncommon to use these two oils when embalming someone after death.
SO let’s think about this, these were not the usual baby ‘shower presents’ for a newborn, these had meaning and significance.
Also some believe he was not newborn when they finally found him. It could have taken them months to arrive where the baby was with Mary.
by Sharon O | Dec 14, 2015 | Uncategorized
We move to the next scene, where we see in this story of Jesus, in Luke two verse thirty three a new character:
[Anna, a prophet, was also there in the temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.
She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.
She came along as just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God.
She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.
When Jesus parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee.]
Isn’t it amazing how God uses older people? I find it both an encouraging and challenging thought.
Each one of them were beyond years of ministry yet God chose, to allow them to be a part of the story of Jesus.
Beginning with Zechariah, who was an old man, then Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna, God wanted all of them to play a part in this very special baby’s birth.
Anna was waiting for the chosen one also.
Just as Simeon was led to the temple that same day Jesus was there, Anna was nudged to go see, at that very same hour, something special for herself.
She had spent many days in this temple. But this day was different.
This day perhaps, there was an excitement, a holy ‘stirring’, the Messiah was here.
How very wonderful to include so many players and characters in this Holy story.
It is amazing to see that not only Mary and Joseph experienced this ‘miracle’ birth, but so many were also witnesses to it.
God did not allow his baby son, to be born in isolation or privacy.
He allowed this ‘Holy night’ orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, to be witnessed and proclaimed by many.
The spirit of Christmas is weaved all throughout this Christmas story.
As we continue to read and study it, we will see and remember how very special this time was for everyone.
by Sharon O | Dec 13, 2015 | Uncategorized
In Luke chapter two we find another scene unfolding in the this story of Jesus.
verse 25 it says:
[At the time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon.
He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel.
The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
That day the Spirit led him to the Temple.
So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there.
He took the child in his arms and praised God saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you promised.
I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people.
He is a light to reveal God to he nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel.!”
Jesus parents were amazed at what was being said about him.
Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother,
“This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others.
He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.
And a sword will pierce your very soul.”]
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp90Hws2QQE
We have to understand Simeon was a very old man who waited patiently day after day, for the baby to arrive.
The spirit of Christmas over shadows this very blessed man, and he sees the chosen one.
The one who will save many including himself. The day the Spirit led him was also the day he was released to stop waiting.
The Messiah was here and Simeon could allow his life to end and die in peace.
by Sharon O | Dec 12, 2015 | Uncategorized
In Luke chapter two verse twenty one we find another scene for Mary and Joseph and their little baby.
[Eight days later when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.
Then it was time for the purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child;
so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord, so they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord, “either a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.”]
So much is happening for Mary and Joseph at this time.
They traveled so far and then they delivered a precious little baby.
She had to have recovery of some kind, and then they journeyed again to dedicate their son.
It was a precious time for them, but also very significant and also very necessary to follow the laws.
Even though this was a ‘chosen baby’, they still had to do what was required of them.
I am not sure how far they had to travel, but it couldn’t be an easy path since she had just delivered.
Anyone who has gone through that process, understands the first week or two of healing and discomfort.
Again I wonder, he could not have placed her on donkey to travel, and to walk could have been a hardship for her.
They did what was required. The baby was named and the rules were followed.
Jesus was presented in the temple, and it would be the beginning of the life changing experiences many would share in, over and over, starting in the temple.
Mary’s baby was born, dedicated and named. His was named Jesus, just as the angel told them.
by Sharon O | Dec 11, 2015 | Uncategorized
In the book of Luke chapter two verse eight we find a new scene to the story.
[That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flock of sheep.
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 the 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 the 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.]
When reading this the first thing we need to remember is the job of a shepherd.
They were social outcasts not really liked by most in the city.
They were fearless, they had to be so they could protect their sheep from any animal who may come to harm them while in the fields.
They were rough and tough and most likely not well kept as they were out in the fields most of the time.
They were not credible witnesses and not someone to be invited in ones home.
So we find these guys. These out of character guys, to be chosen to be a part of the story of Jesus.
Isn’t that amazing that God would show up and allow them to be given this privilege and even honor.
Can you even imagine these men who knew the night sky as they looked at every night.
These men who knew when something was different with the moon or stars, all of a sudden see radiance coming towards them.
It says they were terrified. We probably would be too, the brilliance and the glory was something no one had ever seen and it was noted that the angel told them not to be afraid.
The skies opened up and all of heaven sang. Wouldn’t that be amazing?
It would be breathtaking, startling, maybe even a bit emotional, for these rough and tough men.
Then it tells us they hurried to see the baby. That means they left their flock unprotected.
That is something no shepherd would ever do, but it was God who challenged them.
Can you imagine them standing or even kneeling near the tiny little baby.
Then they told others and they were believed. Making them credible witnesses.
Isn’t it like God to take an ordinary person, and change them into a ‘voice’ that others will listen to?
wow… it was just as the angel had told them. A baby was born.
by Sharon O | Dec 10, 2015 | Uncategorized
The next thing we read about is Mary and Joseph entering into the city of Bethlehem.
Remember they are tired, needing rest, a warm bath and food.
The census is going on and there are a lot of people there and much chaos.
Many places to stay were full already, and I would imagine Joseph had a sense of urgency, as he searched for a resting place for Mary.
In Luke chapter one verse six it says:
[While they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.]
We are not told a lot about how that took place or whether she had help.
Joseph wouldn’t be too much help as she labored in the delivery process.
There could have been a midwife there close by or even an older ‘lady’ who could help.
One could imagine the isolation and sadness Mary would feel delivering her baby alone.
Anyone who has ever had a baby knows how hard it is, and how much pain it involves.
Even though He was a chosen child, and she was chosen to have him, that doesn’t mean she would have no labor pains or a hard extreme delivery.
Remember she was young and this was her first baby.
There was no doctor as far as we know, and only Joseph to help.
We are not really sure where they were when she delivered, some say it could have been a barn like the ones we
see in the nativities showing Mary laying on straw and or sitting with the baby in a manger.
We don’t know. Some opinions say it could have been in a cave on the side of a hill behind the inn.
What we do know, is a baby was born and He would change the world forever. In verse seven:
[She gave birth to her fist 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.]
I have often wondered if she had seen this before and knew what to do, and I also wondered where the strips of cloth would come from.
Did Joseph take part of his ‘robe’ and tear it with his hands making strips for the baby?
Were they that prepared when they traveled the road to Bethlehem for her delivery?
They had to make wrappings of blankets, and maybe even using some of what was on the donkey for ‘warmth’.
Many things within this story we are not told.
She did not have a pretty little bassinet with soft cuddly onesies for him.
She had strips of cloth, torn and ragged, to wrap her baby in as she swaddled her tiny little boy.
The world was watching and waiting, for a Messiah and soon they would be able to meet him.
In verse twelve it says:
[You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.]
A baby was born. Mary’s baby…just as the angel had told her.
[Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!]
by Sharon O | Dec 9, 2015 | Uncategorized
In Luke chapter two we find Mary and Joseph needing to leave together.
[verse one: At the time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendent 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 is now obviously pregnant.]
So we now understand why Joseph and Mary traveled together, when we would say it wasn’t a safe time for her to travel. It was mandated that he had to go, no matter what the reason.
I cannot imagine Mary at a later stage of pregnancy, traveling on a donkey 120 kilometers or the distance of eighty miles.
They were walking or riding. Struggling and agonizing every step towards the city.
We are not told if she went with a good spirit or if there was a bit of grumbling.
I know I would be grumbling a lot.
Did she have him rub her sore feet at night as they rested between walks?
Did she have a comfortable blanket or pillow to sleep with, while waiting for the next morning?
I cannot imagine being obviously pregnant and trying to sleep on the ground.
It could not have been easy for her, it could have taken them a few weeks to go a ‘steady pace.’
One can only imagine the long and hard road, and Mary’s discomfort and perhaps even a lack of patience.
Anyone would understand how hard and how difficult that had to have been.
The smell of donkey hair and dirt and dust had to have been all over them.
I wonder if they had enough water or food as they journeyed along this path.
It was a hard and exhausting journey for both of them, and as they walked together
did they talk much about what it would be like to see and have this little baby?
So much happening in such a short time.
I would imagine because of the census, there were many others doing the same kind of journey.
Only this journey Joseph and Mary walked, would be like no other one in history.
Soon a baby would be born, and life as they knew it would change forever.
by Sharon O | Dec 8, 2015 | Uncategorized
When Zechariah was told about Elizabeth’s baby, his response was one of question.
How can I be sure? which was a sign of unbelief. Which got him in trouble with the angel.
When Mary was told of her baby to be, her response was one of curiosity.
How can this be? Which moved her into a more accepting position and future.
When we see her spending time with Elizabeth, and noticing the reaction of one who has loved her for many years. We can see how Mary is moving into the place within her heart of receiving all that God was going to do, even if she didn’t fully understand it.
Elizabeth told her in Luke chapter one verse forty five:
“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
verse forty six begins with Mary’s response:
Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
ESV)
verse 56
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then went back to her home.
Mary’s song of praise was from a knowing…a knowing in her heart, that she was chosen.
Elizabeth was a mentor and encourager and said, “Mary, you are blessed.”
How precious it is to have someone believe in you even when you are unsure.
Perhaps that is why Mary went to see Elizabeth.
To find and receive words of affirmation and hope.
It is a special ‘relationship’ of sharing in miracles and believing in the promise of God.
They both will have a sons, and their lives will bring purpose and meaning to everyone.
What a glorious moment for both of them. Deep friendships sharing in the miraculous.
