by Sharon O | Dec 7, 2015 | Uncategorized
We are not told how long Mary stayed with Elizabeth and Zechariah.
The word does not go in any details other than the greeting that took place between Elizabeth and Mary.
At the time of her visit Zechariah was not able to speak, as the Angel who told him about Elizabeth, gave him a bit of discipline, for not trusting him more when he was told about Elizabeth having a baby. He was finally chosen to be in the temple and finally able to the do the temple duties as an old man, and all of a sudden while in the temple, an angel appeared to him.
In Luke chapter one verse eleven it says:
[While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elizabeth will give you a son, and you are to name him John.”]
The conversation continued and Zechariah answered the angel with a bit of a question.
(I can’t really blame him for asking)
[“Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I am an old man now and my wife is also well along in years.”
Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God.
It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!
But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born.
For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”
So we find Mary visiting Elizabeth and Zechariah who had no voice.
One could assume she stayed until the baby came, as Elizabeth was in her sixth month which perhaps could put Mary at four months.
That might also have helped Mary learn of labor and delivery.
We are not told how she got there, or how far it was to travel there.
We do know this is where Mary says her magnificate prayer. The song of Mary.
There are many details we are not told, but what we do know, it is never a good idea to question an angel.
by Sharon O | Dec 6, 2015 | Uncategorized
The Christmas story is not just about Mary and Joseph and their experience.
The other Key people were Zacharias and Elizabeth.
We are told that she was a much older cousin of Mary’s.
I would think it would be similar to a grandma relationship rather than a friend.
We know that Zacharias and Elizabeth had never had children even though, it had always been the desire of their hearts. It is always hard for couples who cannot have children, it’s a deep sad heartache.
We are told they were a good couple, blameless in their lifestyle and steadfast in the Lord.
Elizabeth was way past child bearing years and no one would ever expect a miracle baby for them.
They certainly would not think that was possible.
During the visit from the angel to Mary we are told there was more news to share.
In Luke chapter one verse thirty four:
[Mary asked the angel, “But 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 he will be called the Son of God.
What’s more, (as if to say, if you don’t believe in this miracle, lets’ try another one more believable), 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.”]
I would imagine that was a great way of helping Mary to understand, the power and the miraculous when hearing this news.
Mary knew she was up in years and would never imagine her having a little baby of her own.
In verse thirty nine it continues:
“A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zachariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.
At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
There are a few points here I would like to take note of.
Both babies, mentioned before birth had value, each had a purpose and each would play an important part of the story that was unfolding.
As we continue the Spirit of Christmas we will journey through even more signs of miracles and prophecy spoken.
There were others in the story, God saw that is was good to include those who had been waiting.
Isn’t that just like ‘our God’ to give us the desires of our hearts even when we least expect it?
by Sharon O | Dec 5, 2015 | Uncategorized
There is no mention of a wedding although the angel told Joseph in a dream to take Mary to be his wife.
Matthew chapter one verse twenty four it says:
[When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.]
One would have to imagine a command from an angel is pretty powerful, and also it was still part of their original plan to be married since they were engaged.
The wedding might have been already discussed and the details were in the works for the ‘special day.’
We are not told if it was a public or private one. There is no mention of it.
We are just told they were married as the angel commanded, and they waited to be ‘husband and wife’ till the new baby Jesus was born.
That took a great deal of courage and self control for a young couple, but based on the serious assignment they were given, I am sure it was something they could manage.
When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he said to her in Luke one verse twenty eight:
[“Greetings, favored women! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.
“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!”]
In order for us to fully understand this moment we need to understand the words that were spoken.
Dictionary.com said confused is: to perplex, bewilder, make unclear or to associate by mistake.
In other words Mary was having a difficult time understanding what was taking place.
The word disturb means: to interrupt the quiet, rest or peace, or to unsettle or cause disturbance.
I would imagine if an angel told anyone they were to not be afraid, just listen to me.
It would be unsettling and interrupting. Then to hear your life would change forever?
Yeah that would be a bit disturbing or interrupting or even, hard to believe.
To be favored was to have God’s grace and blessing upon you when you least deserve it.
After listening to the angel Gabriel Mary responded:
In Luke chapter one verse thirty eight:
[Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
Then the angel left her.]
The spirit of Christmas continues as scripture moves towards the birth of Jesus.
by Sharon O | Dec 4, 2015 | Uncategorized
As the story continued for Mary and Joseph, there are many things we are not told.
Such as, how did her family react to her news about a baby coming?
There is no mention of her mom or dad, grand parents or brothers or sisters, we do hear of a cousin who will join in the story later on.
We know Mary was young, a teen, we also know Joseph was older. I am not sure how much older.
We know the culture in that time did not accept ‘unwed’ mothers, and it should have been and perhaps was, a deep concern for them.
We know that Joseph had a few second thoughts about it, until the angel told him all was well.
There is little mention of him after the baby was a few years old, was he not around or just very quiet?
When Mary’s family was told of the baby coming did they abandon her and shun her?
Later in the story she leaves with Joseph alone, just the two of them and the baby she was carrying.
Was there a good bye from her family or a big ‘disaster’ between them?
That would be a deep heart ache for her, to follow Joseph in the midst of ‘her pregnancy’ and maybe broken relationships.
Joseph could be her support person, but he had not ever been in this situation before.
So much was new and scary for both of them.
So much was on their hearts as they followed after God.
Later we will see Mary accepting her role in this miracle.
She allowed her heart to fall in love with this ‘child’ to be, just as any other expectant mom.
There is more to the story as we unfold the miracles and the majesty.
God was in control of the life to come. God came near and was among us.
In the form of a baby. A Christ child. A new precious, presence of the HOLY.
Only Joseph and Mary would know the depth of this miracle.
Only Joseph and Mary were called to do this role, and to be the ones who would hold it deep within them.
Luke two verse nineteen says:
[but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.]
I would imagine she would each day she saw her tiny baby move inside her.
With each kick, each hiccup, each life altering movement for both of them.
I would imagine she was remembering, the angel who told her.
by Sharon O | Dec 3, 2015 | Uncategorized
In the book of Matthew chapter one verse eighteen, we find ourselves reading the beginning of a story.
[This is how Jesus the Messiah was born.]
Every story has a beginning and this was no exception, only with Jesus the lineage was set up many years before.
From Matthew chapter one verse one to verse sixteen, it names all the generations before him naming fathers first, till it came to Mary.
In verse sixteen b it says: [Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah]
The significance of that is crucial since the time of the Old Testament to the new, the people were waiting for a Messiah.
For in the book of Isaiah in the Old testament they were promised a sign to watch out for.
Isaiah seven verse fourteen: [Alright then, The Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’)
The story unfolding as we realize after hundred’s of years of waiting, the promise spoken now fulfilled.
God’s presence with us.
In Matthew chapter one verse twenty three:
[Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’.]
It was a supernatural moment. A moment in time where God’s presence came to us in a very simple way.
What can be more simple than the birth of a newborn. What can be more precious?
Throughout the story the angels ministered to both Mary and Joseph during this journey of theirs.
They knew the significance of what they were being asked.
They also didn’t really know the heart ache that would come to them.
Just as any parents we go into the process with wonder and awe and fear and a full range of emotions.
I would imagine Mary and Joseph were just like us.
Following what the angels had told them, and facing the journey together… for the first time.
by Sharon O | Dec 2, 2015 | Uncategorized
Continuing on our talk from my pastor, he was sharing with us the miracles of Christmas and how Christmas cannot be without the Holy Spirit.
All throughout the Christmas story, the Holy Spirit unfolded many signs and wonders.
The significance of all of the events were amazing, and not often realized by the ones involved at the time they were taking place.
The supernatural and the expectancy was all over the Christmas story.
God came near.
He was showing us over and over the history of the miraculous.
Not just the New Testament miracles but even some of the old Testament miracles.
In Matthew 1:18 The story begins with Mary.
[While she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.]
In Luke 1:35 It tells us more.
[The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the most high shall overshadow you.]
Not only did the Holy Spirit play an active role in the ‘story’ but the angels did too.
We cannot forget the angels who were messengers of both good news and alarming news.
Can you even imagine Mary a young ‘teen’ being told she would be expecting a baby?
In that culture it was a serious violation and could even be the cause for her to be stoned.
You can then imagine, how Joseph would react when hearing the news of the baby to be.
Matthew 1:19 tells us that part of the story.
[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,” the angel said, “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.”]
vs 24 [When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.]
It is about obedience when we don’t understand.
It is about trusting when we remain unsure of the outcome.
It is about knowing and believing in the supernatural power of the story told.
The spirit of Christmas begins in the heart of those who are close to the story.
God came near.
So we can know the heart of the one who delights in us.
by Sharon O | Dec 1, 2015 | Uncategorized
Our Pastor began a teaching this last Sunday on the Spirit of Christmas, from the narrative through the eyes of the Holy Spirit.
We all know the Father, Son and Holy Spirit concept but do you know and realize it began many years ago?
The Gift of Christmas is Jesus, the Christ child. The real present who gives life and meaning.
Pastor told us the story of a family who had decorated for Christmas and then had all the gifts under the tree and yet never opened them.
People who knew them wondered why the packages were never opened, they sat in the corner and stayed there, season after season.
They had all the ‘look’ but never appreciated what was given to them.
He shared it so that we can see the imagery of ‘not’ appreciating the gift God gives us.
For some they don’t appreciate or open the gift because they feel unworthy or undeserving.
For others they just see it as an illusion, a story or an empty box representing Christmas, kind of like a decoration.
For others they won’t open it or receive it because it may not be what they want or even more than that, perhaps it might be life changing for them.
God is a father who loves to give good gifts to us. He delights in the giving and us receiving.
That is the whole point of Christmas. For God gave his SON so we can have life.
Sometimes we choose to not receive it. We say we want the season but no so much the meaning of it.
We can say just give us the stories and the songs and the feel good times of sharing.
The question to ask is how do we become people who both receive and believe the story of Christmas.
The Holy Spirit is supernatural all throughout the story, beginning with Angels.
So many angels in the story. All throughout the spirit of Christmas the angels were a part telling the news.
Announcing the message, proclaiming the truths.
“Glory to God in the highest” the multitude of angels were singing.
Can you even imagine the glory of the Lord in that moment?
It would have been wonderful to see and feel the ‘spirit’ of Christmas.
Let us prepare our hearts and our homes for the story to be real to us, perhaps for the first time this year. 
by Sharon O | Nov 26, 2015 | Uncategorized
From our house to yours ~ Happy Thanksgiving ~ 2015
by Sharon O | Nov 25, 2015 | Uncategorized
On the eve of Thanksgiving day, I asked my husband to help me think of other words of Thanksgiving.
Another one that we came up with is so ‘simple’ yet so important and valuable.
The word or words that we thought about and discussed is: Relationships and family.
Dictionary.com says:
Relationship is – association involving emotional connection between people.
Family is – any group of persons closely related by blood, a group belonging, whether dwelling together or not.
When we think of thanksgiving, we immediately think of spending time with those we love.
Oh sometimes we might volunteer in a community setting, and serve others who we do not know.
But for the purpose of this writing, relationships in the form of family is what holidays are all about.
It would not be the same, if we had no one to enjoy the holiday with.
Relationship is a part of ‘who’ we are as people. Who God made us to be.
We love and care for our friends and loved ones. We wish for them health and peace deep in their spirits.
Family is often times who we spend holidays with, but even more than that, it is about who means the most to us.
Sometimes holidays can bring unhealthy relationships.
These are the worst calls for fire or policemen. Family issues escalating because of the holiday.
It is not always that serious, that one would need to call them, but I do know
we all have had that experience, where we had to show up when we really didn’t want to.
Unfortunately that does happen, but most of the time the holiday season is spent with those we love and care for.
Those we choose to spend time and make special moments and memories with.
Even Jesus showed us the importance of family and friends.
As he ministered to others, he wanted to get away with those he truly cared for and loved.
On this eve of Thanksgiving, let us think on and pray for our relationships and family.
The other words of the season.
by Sharon O | Nov 24, 2015 | Uncategorized
As I have tried to focus on the words of Thanksgiving, I have come up with a few that are most meaningful.
The first one I wrote about was gratitude, adding in thanksgiving and being grateful.
The second word I am focusing on today is tradition.
Dictionary.com says: it is the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or practice.
It is also a long established inherited way of thinking, a continuing pattern of culture belief or practices.
When I think of our homes of origin, my husbands family had very different traditions then my side of the family.
We could not and never would have Thanksgiving without my grand mother’s traditional menu.
That was a tradition….a knowing, a familiar experience, even long after she passed away.
Now I am not just speaking of the food that would be on the table, but even more when I was growing up, our tradition was the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade.
I remember to this day of getting ready, all day long it seemed, doing our hair, getting dressed up, making ourselves presentable.
I remember those prickly black metal rollers in my hair with a plastic stick holding it in, till my hair dried in hopes of making it curly.
I remember we always dressed up. It was not ever a casual day, no it was special, you were expected to look nice.
That is a part of tradition that I am talking about.
My husbands side, of his family often ate in a much more casual setting.
In our house, it was a time of pretty and nice and festive and formal.
I believe every one has traditions they remember around the Thanksgiving holiday.
For some maybe there was nothing to expect. Nothing repeated. Just a dinner.
In my home of origin. We knew we would always have Turkey, potatoes, gravy (oh so good), dressing and green beans always with bacon, rolls covered in butter, relish dishes of pickles and olives, carrot slices and celery, oh and never forget the pumpkin pie with whipping cream, as you sat next to grandpa’s warm fire in the fireplace.
Traditions are good.
I love the memory of our grandpa and grandma’s traditions.
It really is a very important part of the day we call Thanksgiving.
