AND NOW

SCRIPTURES

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. Luke 1:38 (KJV)

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: Matthew 1:24 (KJV)

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10 (KJV)

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Matthew 2:2 (KJV)

AND NOW

The last four weeks I have encouraged you to put yourself in the place of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and the Wise Men. This week, I want to encourage you to put yourself in the place of --- In the place of you!

But, look at yourself with the traits of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and the Wise Men. How are you doing? Are you a servant? Do you trust? Do you hear? Do you seek?

LET ME OFFER A PRAYER FOR YOU

I pray you are

• like Mary: May you be a servant who lives according to God’s word,
• like Joseph: May you trust God when He asks you to obey,
• like the Shepherds: May you hear and believe,
• like the Wise Men: May you search until you find the Son of God.

Amen

ROAD TRIP -- FOLLOW THAT STAR

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 2:1-11 (KJV)

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judaea, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

ROAD TRIP -- FOLLOW THAT STAR

Wonder if that STAR could be considered the first GPS? Wonder if the Wise Men would have felt more comfortable if they had an iPad to show them exactly where they were and where they were going?

This week I want you to think about the Wise Men. Picture them studying the Scriptures and books on astrology. Picture them bent over maps of the heavens and circling constellations. Picture them saying --“There it is!”

“Road trip! Are you in? Are you going? I wonder how long it will take. What gifts should we offer? Will we need back up camels? Do we know if there are any camel stations along the way?”

Okay - It does sound a bit silly, but there are so many questions about the Wise Men that are not answered. Which one first searched the Scriptures? Which one tried to use the stars to figure out a location? Which one saw the star first?

I do believe the Wise Men could give a very interesting Travelogue on their journey.

AND NOW

The answers to these questions really do not matter. The importing thing is that they searched. They searched and then they went. They searched, they went and then they honored Jesus with gifts.

Take time to talk to Jesus. Tell him about how your search.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS

MAY YOUR CHRISTMAS BE A BLESSED DAY

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO SLEEP WITH ALL THE NOISE?

The last two weeks I have asked you to think about how Mary felt. About how Joseph felt. Did you find that easy? This week, I want you to try again. The scene: It is very dark.

Did you figure out that you are a shepherd?

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8 (KJV)

It is time to get into character. The day has been very long. The sheep have finally quieted. Luckily this is not your night to keep watch and you are ready to sleep. First you lay on your right side, but there is a rock hitting your knee. Then you try your left side, but that is not much better. The ground is hard! Plus the shepherd next to you is snoring to beat the band.

Finally, you are comfortable. The snoring stops. All is quiet. Your eyes are heavy and --

SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:9-14 (KJV)

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

AND NOW

Well, that was interesting! Can you picture the shepherd shaking his head and saying, “How am I supposed to sleep with all that noise? And the shepherds in the next county would be able to see that light. Of course, there is no going back to sleep now.”

Can you see the shepherds forming a committee to see if they should go check out what they had just been told? Did they take a vote? Were there some that just wanted to go back to sleep?

SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:15-16 (KJV)

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

It took effort to go to Bethlehem. They couldn’t just leave the sheep. But it says “they came with haste.”

QUESTIONS

Would you have gone with haste? Or would you have rolled over and gone back to sleep?

Today, do you go with haste to find Jesus? Or do you say, “I believe.” and then roll over and go back to sleep?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

O Lord, I want to be like the shepherds. I want Your glory to shine around me. I want the good tidings of great joy that began that night. I want to be like the shepherds and come to You with haste. Amen

SHALL I BELIEVE HER?

I am sure that Mary was scared and uncertain when she spoke with Joseph. Would he believe her? After all, it was a bit far-fetched. Can you picture Mary approaching Joseph? Head bowed. Walking slowly. Asking God for strength.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:18 (KJV)

Can you picture Joseph, looking up, seeing Mary and wondering why she was coming toward him with such hesitant steps?

Now put your eyes on Mary, as she raises her head, and tells Joseph she is with child.

Now look back at Joseph. Is there shock in his eyes? Did he catch his breath? Did his world shake? Could he look Mary in the eyes?

As Mary turned and walked away, did he think, “Shall I believe her?”

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 1:19-21 (KJV)

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

AND NOW

As you are preparing for Christmas, put yourself in Joseph’s place. Has anyone ever told you something that just shook your world? Were you hurt? Did you believe them? Did you have to hear from someone else that they were telling the truth?

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus. Matthew 1:24-25

Did you do the right thing?

LET US PRAY: Today, talk to God and ask Him for the strength to do the right thing when faced with a situation you did not expect.