Blessings

And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. (Genesis 1:11 ESV)

Blessings

Food is good.  Comfort food comforts.  Healthy food helps health.  Tasty food tastes delicious.  And here, partway through the creation week, God makes plants.

For two reasons, it seems.

First, for food.  These are foodish descriptions. 

But also for beauty.  Vegetation, plants, and trees are a blessing to look at, to observe, to experience.

God could have made blocks of protein and carbohydrates for food.  But instead He made these things.  God could have made blocks of matter without symmetry, color, or livelinesss.  But instead He made these things.

Even in every day things, God is amazing.

Food, Food, and Food

…and all ate the same spiritual food… (I Corinthians 10:3 ESV)

Food, Food, and Food

We all, every one, each one, corporately and independently, need food.  We consume food.  We use food. 

We might like food in different ways, flavors, and genres… but food is one of those common denominators of humanity.

It is no surprise that God refers to food often in Scripture.  Foodly things are common illustrations, metaphors, symbols, and teaching opportunities.

Because we all connect to food.

For the next while, we will examine Food in the Bible.

Let’s get hungry.

Weather Notice

Jubilee will not gather to worship today. Weather, weather, weather!

Us

Today... WE witness the nativity!

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14  “Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 2:1–20.

Beginnings

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ” (Mark 1:1-3 ESV)

Beginnings

I wonder if Mark quietly grinned as he wrote these opening words.  The word “beginning” seems to say, “HERE is where it all started.”  Read these words and we will begin to understand, to know, to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Even more, it seems that Mark is saying “HERE is where Christ Himself begins.”

But then Mark ties in what for his day, was THE prophet, Isaiah.  This Jesus that seemed to begin as later folk counted the years as counting down, to counting up, actually was known centuries before.  The gospel began back in the scrolls of God’s Word, not in Bethlehem.

And Mark also notes that Jesus was, is, and will be the Son of God.  That was nothing like the Greeks thought about gods having children (like Hercules, Achilles, or Athena).  God AND God’s Son are eternal.  Jesus Christ… the gospel… began before the beginning found in Genesis 1.

What begins is OUR part.  WE get to make Christ’s paths straight be bringing His straightness into our crooked world.  John the Baptist did.  Mark did.  All the players in the Nativity did.

When the eternal, infinite, unchanging God enters our time-world, our physical world, our touchable world, EVERY moment is a beginning.

It is Christmas Eve.  Back then, the worlds (both heaven and earth) were poised for a beginning.  It was a beginning that changed everything.

And yet that beginning happens again now.

It happens when we realize, admit, and embrace the fact that the beginning of everything is God, not our alarm clocks.  It happens when we comprehend, know, and apprehend that the beginning of everything is Jesus, not our calendar.  It happens when we notice joy, peace, and love because God is with us, Emmanuel, the King born in a dusty town.

Begin again.

One Way

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way… (Matthew 1:18 ESV)

One Way

One way streets seem to go against the American Way.  We unrealistically yearn for the Wild West when we drive.  We desire to drive where we want, when we want, and how we want.  When our desired destination is right over there,  it almost hurts that we have to drive blocks out of our way to get there.

One way is frustrating in more situations than driving.  Ever since Adam, we desire to live our lives OUR way.  Not God’s way.

So when Matthew describes Jesus’ birth, it is almost jolting to read him write, that there was A WAY in which the Incarnation took place.  Despite our desires, Jesus was not born in any old way.  Jesus was born in THIS way.

And when Christ teaches like that, He tells is that He is THE way, THE truth, and THE life. (John 14:6 ESV)

At Christmas time, when we read and consider THE Christmas Story, it is a grand time to re-center ourselves on CHRIST’S Way.  It is a grand time to divert ourselves from OUR way.

His way is THE way.  And HIS way is better than any other way.

The Gospel

 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:33-35 ESV)

The Gospel

I can put up with a lot of inconvenience, if bacon is part of the result.  I can endure a lot of exhaustion if a good night’s sleep is expected at the end.  I can keep on keeping on if the path leads to family, friends, and fellowship.

Simeon gives Mary a dire warning.  He tells her that her baby is going to suffer.  But the result would be worth it.  That baby, who was both God and man, would open the eyes and hearts of God’s people, and bring salvation.

When we read Simeon’s warning to Mary, we remember her sorrow at the cross.  We remember her sorrow when her people rejected Him.  We remember her sorrow as the baby that was so miraculously birthed was not the palace-dwelling prince He deserved to be, but the suffering servant.

But her sorrow was her price… not as big as Her son’s… not as big as the heavenly Father’s… not as big as all of God’s people’s added together…

But it was a price she was willing to pay.

For the gospel.

Announcements

he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:28-32 ESV)

Announcements

Many years ago, in a larger church, I was given the responsibility of making announcements before worship.  I took it both more seriously and less seriously than I should.  At times, I presented the announcements in poem, sometimes in song, and sometimes in funny accents or attempts at impressions.

But I soon learned, if I did not KNOW the subject of the announcement, that announcement would be empty, foolish, and probably incorrect.

The things we know, we announce.  And Simeon knew who the baby he held really was.  That baby was the Messiah, the long-awaited Savior, the incarnated second person of the Trinity.

And his announcement was:  Now I have seen everything.  Or at least, now I have seen everything important.

Because as a baby, as a young man, as a rabbi, as the Master, as the suffering servant, as the obedient One, as the sacrifice, as the consolation of God’s people, as the One who loves, as Jesus… was the most important One.

And that is an announcement that needs making.

Recently I was challenged to no longer say, “Merry Christmas.”  But instead to make announcements like Simeon’s.

Something like: “WOW, at this time of year we celebrate the necessary fact that God Himself became fully human, while remaining divine… and that He came to save sinners, destroy sin, and fix everything.  Come, and adore Him…  I hope THAT Messiah enters the homes and lives of everyone… and that falsehood and empty social religion diminish as HIS Kingdom grows!”

THAT is Merry Christmas!!!!

Expectations

“…he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”  And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.  And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed  (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:28-35 ESV)

Expectations

Sometimes I have a pretty good idea what is under the tree.  I’ve usually made my requests, dropped hints, and examined (from the legal distance in our house) the presents.

But even when I know, or THINK I know… the event is usually better than my expectations.

So it was for Simeon.  He knew the Messiah was coming.  He knew where the Messiah would be born, and that the child would be from a family who would bring the baby to the temple at the right time.  He knew what the Messiah was going to do.

But then… can you imagine Simeon’s face when he saw Jesus?

More than he expected.

Not physically, of course.  I hate to admit that usually a baby just looks like a baby.

But Simeon knew.  It had been revealed to him.  And it was more than he expected.

The same is true for us.  Whatever you expect from God… expect more!  At Christmas, of course… but always!

Done Waiting

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.  And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38 ESV)

Done Waiting

I am waiting for a particular thing.  It involves a decision that some other folk are making, that will mean a great deal to me.  Every morning, I glance at texts.  Every day I check email.  Every day, I jump when the phone rings.

And while I am NOT mentioning it now, the time will come when I will mention it, talk about it, hum about it, post about it, write about it, and shout about it.

While it IS an important thing to me, it is not, however, of cosmic importance.

But Anna was waiting for something that really mattered.

And the moment she saw the Christ child, she spoke to everyone else who had been waiting, too.

Heat beats increased.  Mouths stretched into smiles.  Eyes sparkled.  And voices probably hummed and sang.

Because waiting for the Messiah was done!

Today, we are used to the Messiah.  So it does not seem so grand that the waiting is done.

But it IS grand, still.  We still wait for the absolute end of sin, because of the Messiah.  We sill wait for the end of every tear, because of the Messiah.  We still wait for hope to be fulfilled, joy to be irrefutable, and peace to reign, because of Jesus.

And so we can understand Anna… and rejoice with her.

Hatred

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Matthew 2:1-3 ESV)

Hatred

Not everyone is excited to hear about Jesus.  Among the Biblical witnesses, the most disappointed was King Herod.

In our modern folklore we see some who hate Christmas.  The Grinch, for instance.  And of course, Ebeneezer Scrooge.

But those two Christmas-haters were transformed.  Both the Grinch and Scrooge ended up gloriously among those who love Christmas.

But not Herod.

Not only would he hate Christmas if he were alive today, but he feared, despised, and hated the Christ child. 

I think I would be a Christ hater if it weren’t for the Father’s amazing grace.  I would be a Christ hater if it weren’t for the power of the Holy Spirit in me.  I would be a Christ hater if it weren’t for that baby miraculously born in just the form that allows for my salvation.

I would hate, therefore, Christmas.

I am Scrooge, though, because God changed me.  I am the Grinch, though, because God changed me.

And so are ALL of His people!

A Baby?

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. (Luke 1:41 ESV)

A Baby?

This is a curious event.  A baby, John the Baptist, still in his mother’s womb, recognized the baby Jesus, still in HIS mother’s womb.

Tiny John recognized, somehow, that Jesus was not just another baby, waiting to be born.  But rather, the Christ child was already incarnate.  God and man had already miraculously become the Messiah.  The perfect God-man.  Divine and human. 

And this incarnation was necessary for the salvation of God’s people.

I do not know HOW John knew, but he did, and he lept for joy.

I do not know exactly WHAT John knew, but he did, and he lept for joy.

I do not know WHEN John knew, but he did, and he lept for joy.

I do know how WE know, and we can copy baby John and rejoice.

I do know what exactly WE know, and we can copy baby John and rejoice.

I do know WHEN we know, and we can copy baby John and rejoice.

Leap for joy!

Surprising Profit

…because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2: 7 ESV)

Surprising Profits

An innkeeper is not actually mentioned in Luke’s gospel.  But where there are inns, there are innkeepers, and thus thousands of young actors got a role in Nativity plays.

That innkeeper was having a good day.  His inn was full.  He was so full, in fact, that he housed Mary and Joseph in an extra location.  A place not usually used as a room for rent.

The extra business was probably due to the census demanded by Rome.  The extra business was also probably due to a religious feast that brought travelers.  The extra business was also due to the sovereignty of God.

He wanted Jesus born in that manger. 

And so the innkeeper profited.

But of course, the innkeeper had an opportunity to profit even more!

Because that baby not only gained the innkeeper some coins, that baby also was born to provide salvation.

We do not know if the innkeeper ended up believing in that Messiah-child.  I hope he did.

I also hope he learned that every single thing that happens has one purpose:  to bring the Messiah.

The money he made that night was nice.  But the incarnation was so much more.

Everything happens for that single purpose.

Including everything that happens to us, today.  Profits and loss occur in God’s plan to bring us closer to Jesus.  Success and failure occur in God’s economy to bring us closer to Jesus.  The mundane and the spectacular are present to bring us closer to Jesus.

So let’s pay attention!

The Shepherd's Audience

And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.  (Luke 2:18 ESV)

The Shepherds’ Audience

My grandfather told of his World War II experience coming ashore in the Philippines nearby General MacArthur.  I was not there, but I have pictured it in my mind’s eye.  I have imagined it.  I am not an eyewitness, but I am still a sort of witness.

I have heard my father describe his first date with my mom so many times, that it seems as if I was hidden in the cool kid convertible myself.  I am not an eyewitness, but I am still a sort of witness.

My wife had a close encounter of the deer kind while driving a few weeks ago.  I was not in the car, but she described it to me.  I can almost hear the sounds.  I am not an eyewitness, but I am still a sort of witness.

We are more like the shepherds’ audience than we are like the shepherds.  Like that audience on the first Christmas Day, we have experienced the description, the analysis, the casting of a picture.   We are not eyewitnesses, but we are still a sort of witness.

And hearing like that is believing.  Seeing like that is believing.  Knowing like that is believing.

That early audience models for us how to consider the story.  With wonder.

Names

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. (Matthew 1:24,25 ESV)

Names

Joseph was among the first to proclaim that the Christ child saves.  When Joseph named Him Jesus, Joseph was not choosing an old traditional family name.  He was not choosing a name based on how it rolled off his tongue.  He was not choosing a name that he had always particularly liked.

Instead, in naming that baby, “Jesus,” Joseph was actually proclaiming Him Lord.

He was calling on the Christ child to save Him.

He was announcing to Bethlehem, Judea, the Middle East, and the World that the Messiah had arrived, and that HIS name was above every name! 

When we say His name in prayer, we are doing the same thing.

When we address Him aloud, we are doing the same thing.

When we sing His name in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, we are doing the same thing.

Jesus is not simply a name.  It is THE name that saves us.

Mary

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. (Luke 2:19 ESV)

Ponder

Mary knew some things in a way that no one else knew them. 

She knew that God knew her name.  All Christians believe that God knows our name, but few of us are addressed by God’s messengers, angels, by name. 

That name-knowing was enriched when Mary heard the angel declare that she was favored by God.  That favor was not earned, but was a result of God’s grace.  All Christians believe that God shows us grace.  But few of us are told by God’s messengers, angels, that God favors us.

She knew that the Messiah had come.  All Christians believe that the Christ Jesus was the long awaited Messiah, but Mary knew it beyond doubt.  She knew how the baby had been conceived.  She knew the words of the angel.  And she heard the shepherds’ announcement.

With he result that Mary pondered.  She thought about it.  She contemplated it.  She analyzed it.  She considered it.  She understood it.  She applied the truth to her own life and soul.  She wondered about it.

Perhaps because we are so used to the knowledge, we barely think about it.  Perhaps because the story is so familiar, we barely wonder about it.  Perhaps because we are so busy doing everything that needs doing, we barely consider it.

Slow down, like Mary, and ponder.

Because the Incarnation is amazing!

Angels

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (Luke 2:8 ESV)

the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”  And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. (Luke 2:15, 16 ESV)

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:20 ESV)

Shepherds

In Christmas pageants, shepherds do not have cool costumes.  They usually wear brown bathrobes.   Shepherds for those familiar with Wild West history were looked down on, despised, and declared dumb.  Shepherds were not glamorous, wealthy, well-educated, or admired.

But the angels spoke to THEM first.

These particular shepherds probably cared for the sheep that God’s people purchased to make sacrifices in the temple.  These particular shepherds probably knew the signs of the coming Messiah, and had ready ears.  These particular shepherds probably were folk of faith, amazed at the angels rather than overwhelmed with the holy power.

The shepherds heard, and believed.  The shepherds believed, and knew.   The shepherds knew, and proclaimed.

We can be exactly that kind of witness, too.  We have experienced Jesus’ love.  We have experienced the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.  We have experienced the Grace of the Father.

Hear, and believe.  Believe, and know.  Know and proclaim.

Angels

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10,11 ESV)

Angels

Folk seem to be sending less Christmas cards lately.  The number has probably declined steadily over the years as the internet, texting, video chat, and ease of travel diminish the need for such cards.  And of course, before Hallmark invented Christmas cards, very few were sent.

But Christmas greetings have been happening since the incarnation. “Noel” is a Christmas greeting, and the carol claims that the first Christmas greeting was given to the shepherds by angels.

But the Christmas greeting the angels shouted from the heavens was not a mere well-wishing.  They did not merely hope that the Season brings good cheer.  They did not merely send warm thoughts for cold winter’s evenings.

They announced that JESUS (and Jesus alone!) SAVES!

That is the Christmas greeting that is still needed!

I Peter 1:12 teaches that the angels marvel at the means of salvation.  That day, speaking to the shepherds, they might not have fully understand HOW the Messiah saves… but that did not stop them from watching, seeing, wondering, and praising God!

So, imitating the angels, hear this:  Jesus Saves!

The First Witness

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 ESV)

First Witness

It might seem like the first witnesses were those that this gospel refers to, the ones who SAW His glory.  But before anyone on earth saw anything, God knew.   The Father sent the Son into the incarnation.

God the Father (and therefore the threefold Trinity) first witnessed the incarnation.  God the Father (and therefore the united Trinity) was first ware of the incarnation.  God the Father (and therefore God Himself first knew the incarnation.

And God’s eyes make the best witness.  No other witnesses are necessary, really.  God saw it.  God said it in His Word.  God made it be.

And that is enough.

But in His loving grace, God gives us more witnesses.  Not to prove anything.  But because He wanted THIS creation, THIS miracle, THIS second step to Genesis 1 to be seen by witnesses.

Christmas Witnesses

Christmas Witnesses

An old joke, one of my favorites, goes like this:  A young preacher was being interviewed to fill a pulpit at Downtown Baptist Church.  After answering dozens of questions concerning his testimony, his Biblical knowledge, his doctrine, and church life, an old timer stood up dramatically and asked him, “young man… do you believe in INFANT BAPTISM????”  The candidate looked the old man straight in the eye and answered, “BELIEVE in it???  I have SEEN IT!”

There is clearly a connection between belief and sight.

We say, “seeing is believing.”  And the old hymn looks forward to the time when “our faith shall be sight.”

One of God’s biggest miracles is the Incarnation.  God Himself, becoming fully human, yet remaining fully Divine.

And like usual, this miracle had witnesses. 

Perhaps not witnesses in the normal sense (the incarnation was not a multi-colored, loudly visible occurrence) we find in God’s Word many witnesses.

From now until Christmas, we will hear them.