by Sharon O | Dec 8, 2014 | Uncategorized
The sixth person of the Christmas story appears many times.
The first appearance is before he was born.
There were already prophetic words spoken of him, which brings
to mind the knowledge that God knows us,
before we leave the darkness of our mother’s womb.
The sixth person of the story is John as a baby waiting to be born.
The word tells us that after Mary was told by the angel,
about her own ‘baby to be’ she hurried over to Elizabeth’s house.
Perhaps she was like a mother figure to her or just a great mentor.
They obviously shared with each other since Mary wanted
to talk to her first, maybe even before she talked to Joseph.
In Luke 1:39 the story begins:
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean
town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the child leaped in her womb.
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed
with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and
blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And why has this happened to me, that the mother of
my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound
of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a
fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
This is amazing to me on many levels.
First of all because of Mary’s young age, I find it fascinating
that she left her home to go be with Elizabeth.
Did her parents say that was fine for her to go, or did she just
leave in haste sensing the need to talk and be with someone who was close to her.
I am not sure how far she had to travel, but it couldn’t have been too close and the risk was high for her to go alone.
Not only that, it says she stayed with Elizabeth for several months.
They didn’t have cell phones in that time so Joseph must have
had to wait with a lot of heavy thoughts in his mind and on his heart.
The other part of the story is Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
and the knowledge of Mary’s baby was revealed during that time.
Was that before Mary even told her about the ‘fruit of her womb’?
The other part of the story is the tiny baby John.
He heard and recognized something very significant before he was born, at this time he was nearing the pre-birth age of six months.
As Elizabeth went in to hiding for five months before Mary came to visit.
The baby leaped upon hearing. Which proves a point I have often
said and thought, that they are babies with the ability to hear and react and respond to different voices.
It also tells how he ‘knew’ that Mary was the mother of the Son Jesus.
The story tells us that Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months
before returning to her own home.
Which would put her own pregnancy nearing the fourth month.
Perhaps this is where she learned and saw the process of giving birth, in preparation for her own birthing experience.
It’s a wonderful way to learn when one can see it with your own eyes and experience it with your own heart and emotions.
Not only did John the baby react upon Jesus arrival then John the man was sent to prepare the way for him too.
On this seventh day of December we learn of the sixth person
of the story and I find it amazing how every character shares in the same experiences.
Holy Spirit God ordained moments.
by Sharon O | Dec 7, 2014 | Uncategorized
Today we are learning about the fifth person of the Christmas story.
Another very important person who was chosen by God.
This would be Joseph.
He was engaged to Mary and a carpenter by trade.
Unlike Mary I don’t believe we are told how old he was,
but I am sure he was older than her by a few years.
He was considered righteous and honorable.
I would imagine when he heard that Mary was expecting
a child and he knew for a fact it wasn’t his own
like any man in that position he was confused and perhaps
even angry at her.
This would be a life altering moment for him.
We aren’t really told how long they had been planning
on getting married or what the standard engagement time
was for that time period.
In Matthew 1:9 then 1:20-25 the story begins.
Joseph a righteous man unwilling to expose her to public disgrace,
planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved
to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream,
and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take
Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from
the Holy Spirit.”
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord
commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital
relations with her until she had borne a son,
and he named him Jesus.
What a tremendous and honorable thing to do.
Instead of running or abandoning her, he stood beside her
in the time when she most needed him to be supportive and loving.
I always find it fascinating that angels appear in dreams.
It was not uncommon in those times for this to happen.
It also is interesting that he didn’t question the dream or the words
spoken in the dream. That would mean he knew for a fact
it was real, true and spoken by an angel.
Joseph had to have been a man of faith to listen and obey
that quickly and then decide to not ‘make her his wife’
in an intimate way till the baby was born.
On this sixth day of December we learn about Joseph and
how willing he was to do what God asked of him and how
trusting he was in the process.
Later on he would leave his job, his family and his friends
to be with Mary… and the baby they would raise together.
Joseph is a wonderful example of love, companionship and
a servants heart. He was an earthly father to a heavenly son.
by Sharon O | Dec 6, 2014 | Uncategorized
The fourth person of the Christmas story is Mary.
What an important part she has been asked to do.
Can you even imagine?
She was very young most likely between the ages of 12 and 15
and she was not expecting anything so life changing to happen to her. I often call it a life altering moment.
In Luke 1:28 The angel Gabriel said to Mary:
“Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered
what sort of greeting this might be.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you
have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive
in your womb, and bear a son and you will name him Jesus.
And he will be great, and will be called the son of the most high,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.
He will rein over the house of Jacob forever, and
of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
The angel said to her,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and
the power of the most high will over shadow you:
therefore the child to be born will be holy;
he will be called Son of God.”
I can imagine Mary and her thoughts.
Who would she talk to, who would she tell?
What about Joseph and how is he going to deal with this?
I don’t believe we are ever told about her parents.
Not sure what happened to them and her news about a child.
We know that for her to be pregnant with a child and
to have no husband, could actually be a death sentence for her.
We also know that she knew the rules and seemed accepting of them.
I wonder what happened in her life to give her such strong ‘faith’
without fear for her life and her situation.
Then Mary said, “Here am I, a servant of the Lord,
let it be with me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed.
On this fifth day of December, we think of Mary and her chosen role
to be ‘the Mother of Jesus’…a new little baby…the Son of God.
I wonder what she thought and how she felt when the angel departed from her, did she feel alone, overwhelmed, sad, confused or was she filled with deep peace.
There are so many things about her I wonder about, many of them
we will never know. All we know for sure is God found favor in her.
That is very commendable in fact that is why many give her honor
and praise and lift her up highly.
Mary was chosen.
Out of everyone else God chose a little teenage girl.
To be a very important part of the ‘Nativity story.’
by Sharon O | Dec 5, 2014 | Uncategorized
The third person in the Christmas story actually arrived before the first two.
God decided at some point in time that the angel Gabriel would play an important part on many levels within the Christmas story.
God sent him with a very specific assignment.
To Zechariah, in Luke 1:19 The angel replied,
“I am Gabriel.
I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent
to speak to you and tell you good news.”
I always find it amazing that the angels can speak in a language we can understand.
I also find it amazing that once the initial ‘fear’ leaves the one listening,
they seem comfortable in speaking with an angel.
Remember he always says, “do not fear” before he gets their attention.
Imagining that it would be a bit scary and unsettling,
to all of a sudden have a heavenly being in your presence,
not only that, but speaking to you as if they know who you are.
Each time they show up they know who they are speaking to and they know why.
There is a purpose and a lesson.
I also find it interesting that not only did Gabriel give good news to Zechariah,
he also had the power to discipline him.
In verse 20 the angel said,
“But now, because you did not believe my words,
which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute,
unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”
In other words, I am in control and you need to be quiet.
If he was mute till the baby came that would be almost nine months.
That would be a powerful lesson.
The next assignment Gabriel had was to go visit Mary six months later.
That means he left God’s presence to tell Zechariah something.
Then he returned till it was time to tell Mary something.
Amazing details and interactions.
Luke 1:26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God
to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, vs 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.
The virgins name was Mary.
Notice the specifics in this, a town within a town, a virgin who was engaged and he knew the virgins name along with who she was engaged to.
Nothing is missed. All the details very specific within the story.
In the book of Matthew 1:20 Joseph was met by an angel in a dream
and it doesn’t say it was Gabriel but it makes me wonder.
Just as in Matthew 2:13 and 2:19 an angel met him again in a dream.
In Luke 1:28-38 we are told of Mary’s interaction with Gabriel.
Every year more details seem to come out of the Christmas story.
Nothing was by accident or chance it was all planned and ordained.
On this fourth day of December,
I am amazed that so much detail was poured into the birth of Jesus.
I can’t help but believe in this all knowing, all powerful God.
by Sharon O | Dec 3, 2014 | Uncategorized
The second person of the Christmas story is the wife of Zechariah.
Her name is Elizabeth.
Her story begins in Luke 1:6
[Both of them were righteous before God, living blameless
according to all commandments and regulations of the Lord.
vs7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.
vs 24 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, vs 25 this is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.]
Those who have studied the Christmas story know how old Elizabeth was and how it was medically impossible for her to be with child.
It was also a great ‘shame’ to be without a child in those days.
I would imagine she was post menopause in age and definitely not young enough
to be even thinking of having a new little baby.
You can imagine her joy when she found out she was chosen to have a child
not just a child but a very important ‘chosen’ baby boy.
Have you ever waited for something for so long that after a while
your longing and dreaming becomes a thin wish… and then sorrow
takes the place of the fulfillment of your dream?
Yeah, I would imagine that is what they felt within their empty broken hearts.
Wishing and hoping and waiting for a baby and like every other couple who have difficulty conceiving a child the disappointment becomes the normal feeling month after month.
Then all of a sudden she realizes with Zechariah the dream is real.
She understood the miracle of the moment and that God was blessing them in a miraculous way.
God had chosen their child for a special reason and purpose.
Their son, the one they would conceive and the angel said
his name would be called John and he would play an important part
in the Messiah’s story.
Johns name means “the Lord has been kind.”
What an important part of the story and also a great reminder for us.
Don’t get discouraged in the waiting process.
Someday, when you are least expecting it, your ‘dream just might happen’ and it will be better than anything you could imagine.
by Sharon O | Dec 3, 2014 | Uncategorized
The first person of the Christmas story arrives in the book of Luke
found in the New Testament.
In chapter one verse eleven we find an angel having a conversation with someone.
[Then there appeared to him, an angel of the Lord,
standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
When Zechariah saw him he was terrified,
and fear over whelmed him.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid Zechariah,
for your prayer has been heard.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will call him John.
You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord”.
Zechariah questioned this for both he and his wife were old.
In verse nineteen it says:
“The angel replied, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God,
and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news.”]
This gives me great peace as it confirms to me on many levels
what I have already known and have believed.
God hears our prayers and cares for us.
The angel called him by name so God knows us personally.
Those around us are known as the angel also knew Elizabeth.
The baby was not yet born but already had value and worth.
The name of the baby was chosen and had meaning.
On this second day of December reflect with me, this passage
and the power of the foretelling and beginning of many miracles
surrounding the Christmas story.
by Sharon O | Dec 1, 2014 | Uncategorized
Our tree is not up yet but this is what it normally looks like.
Things are happening at a slower pace this year.
That is just fine with me. I intend on making it more intentional.
Studying the story. Listening to the music.
Taking time for hot cups of tea and writing out cards.
Shopping has been done now a few days which allows for the season
to be focused on what it should be… a time of reflection.
I so enjoy this quiet especially with gentle music and soft lights.
Can’t do too many candles anymore because of allergies and new kittens who might not understand the dangers of a flame.
I can decorate simply and enjoy the peace this ‘holiday’ calls for.
I am reflecting on the Christmas story and all that it holds for us.
Reflect with me… on this first day of December.
Luke 2:1-20 the story of the beginning.
And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child
laying in a manger…vs 16
by Sharon O | Nov 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
From our house to yours…
(have no idea who took this picture, it just fits the day perfectly)
by Sharon O | Nov 25, 2014 | Uncategorized
As we are heading into a time of Thanksgiving I pray
we center into the meaning of not just the day of having turkey,
potatoes and cranberries and don’t forget the pie.
But the whole meaning of giving thanks.
I wrote about this before and I will continue to write about it.
Our pastor Milo was sharing on Sunday some thoughts on the Lord’ prayer.
It was after the disciples asked him the one question out of all the ones they could have come up with after traveling with him and watching him do so many signs and wonders and relationship training.
They asked a simple request of him.
They didn’t ask him to teach them to heal the sick or calm the waves.
They asked him the most profound question or request.
“Lord teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1
Now either they saw and experienced HIS prayers and
wanted theirs to be like his or they wanted something deeper.
Can you even imagine listening to Jesus pray to the Father
with such power and effective force and also such gentleness?
It’s a humbleness of heart and a knowing of his rightful place.
Jesus often withdrew from others to empower himself and rest.
He got alone to recharge. Luke 5:16, Matthew 14:2
He also prayed specifically not using all kinds of words
to clutter his prayers, he was direct and relational.
He knew who he was praying to. Matthew 6: 5,7
He was real with the Father in his praying and he also listened.
He also was very clear when he prayed. Matthew 6:9
The Lord’s prayer or the disciples prayer is not a ritual
but an an example for us to follow.
Beginning with adoration our father in heaven
hallowed (holy) is your name.
Then he moves to intervention your kingdom come.
Submission is next your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Provision is next give us this day our daily…
courage, strength, rest, hope, peace, truth, boldness,
whatever we need daily it might not just be bread.
Confession is next and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
Direction is next lead us not into temptation
(remove us don’t let us near the edge of it).
Salvation is next deliver us from the evil one
Declaration is next for yours is the kingdom, the power,
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen and Amen.
Beginning with a declaration and ending with one.
So to review as our Pastor said:
Get alone, cut through the many unnecessary words,
be specific in your need. Be real.
Adoration, intervention, submission, provision, confession,
direction, salvation, and then declaration again.
Lord at this time of thanksgiving.
Teach us to pray not as a ritual thing we do before a meal
but from a heart condition that wants to seek and learn
what it is to walk with you and be aligned to what you want for us.
by Sharon O | Nov 23, 2014 | Uncategorized
Five minute Friday word prompt.
Notice.
dictionary.com says it is an announcement or something pending.
“as in a days notice.”
It is observation, perception, attention, information or warning.
It is to be aware of something.
I am moved to the thought of when my husband and I are out ‘shopping’ or walking around together I tend to ‘notice’ more things then he does.
I will say to him, “did you see that person over in the corner?”
and he will have no clue as to what I am talking about.
We are made differently.
I notice facial expressions or voice inflections.
I watch body languages.
He notices other things.
That is not wrong it is just the way we are made and why we are different than each other.
I will see a child and ‘notice’ the smile or the fear or the tiredness.
It is ingrained in us as women I think to notice things differently.
That is not bad it is just the way we are made.
On this season of Thanksgiving and heading in to the holidays.
I pray we ‘learn’ to notice something different, perhaps differently than our normal way of looking at life.
When we talk to someone, notice not just their words but what they are not saying within those words.
When we spend time with them, notice the body language
or the lack of it.
Children always show you how they really feel
if one pays attention and notices.
It is called listening from a place of ‘how do I learn’ rather than
‘what can I share’.
I see the definition a bit different then what the dictionary says.
I see it as Jesus did, when he saw Zacchaeus up in the tree.
(Luke 19:1-10)
Or the women at the well needing more
than just a drink of water. (John 4:28)
Or the leper pleading for healing. (Matthew 8:2)
Others walked by but Jesus observed and noticed those around him.
May we be like that more and more.
To see with eyes that are searching and the willingness to be bold.
Jesus said, “Zacchaeus come down from the tree
for I am coming to your house today.”
He noticed, and observed, and then gave information.
Lord help us to open our eyes and truly notice ‘those’ around us.
It is in the noticing where relationship can begin.
