FOR THE THIRD TIME …

Jesus and his disciples were headed to Jerusalem for Passover.

PASSOVER (from Passover website link)

In Hebrew, Passover is known as Pesach, which means “to pass over”, because G-d passed over the Jewish homes when killing the Egyptian firstborn on the very first Passover eve.  Pesach is a time of celebration and commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.  Six hundred thousand adult males, plus many more women and children, left Egypt on that day and began the trek to Mount Sinai and their birth as G-d’s chosen people.

In ancient times, the observance included the sacrifice of the paschal lamb, which was roasted and eaten at the Seder on the first night of the holiday.  This was the case until the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in the 1st century.  Pesach is observed by avoiding leaven, and highlighted by the Seder meals that include four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus. 

If you want to read more on the Passover, here is a good link:  https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/871715/jewish/What-Is-Passover-Pesach.htm#What

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I do believe the disciples were hard of hearing or maybe hard of understanding.  Jesus had told them exactly what was going to happen. 

Matthew 16:21-23:  Jesus predicted his death and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.  “Never, Lord!” he said.  “This shall never happen to you!”  As we know, this did not go as Peter expected.  Jesus called him Satan! 

Matthew 17:22-23:  While in Galilee, Jesus again told them the Son of Man will be betrayed, killed, and on the third he will be raised to life.  The disciples were filled with grief.

He told them a third time in Matthew 20:17-19

Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law.  They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified.  On the third day he will be raised to life!”

This time the scripture does not say how the disciples reacted.  If you read the next few verses, you will see the disciples were more upset about a pushy mother trying to get her sons the best seats in heaven than they were over what Jesus had told them.  They did not understand.

Why was Jesus trying so hard to get them to understand?

Jesus knew what was going to happen to him, but he also knew what was going to happen to the disciples.  This means the answer is simple:  Jesus wanted them to be prepared. 

Jesus used words that can cause fear – betrayed, condemn, death, mocked, flogged, and crucified – BUT by using these words, the disciples realized Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen.  Jesus knew he would suffer.  The disciples saw that Jesus was not running from the suffering. 

Jesus used words that gave great hope and comfort –three days and raised to life.  These words helped the disciples realize suffering and death is not the end.  It is only the beginning of eternity.

Jesus explained, in Matthew 20:28:  “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many,”

Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen.

He has prepared his disciples for the suffering.

He has assured them of the resurrection.

He is approaching Jerusalem.

 IT STARTED WITH ONE

Our daughter, Terri, went to Celebrate Recovery to help a young boy.  This boy was a friend of the family, often stayed at their home, and hung around with their four boys.  Then he got in trouble.  He hung around the wrong people and ended up in jail.  His “friends” did not help him, but our daughter’s family continued to be there for him.  When he was released, Terri told him, “You are going to Celebrate Recovery and I am going with you.”  Sadly, he did not keep going, but something unexpected happened.

Terri kept going.

Celebrate Recovery’s website says: Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind.  Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life. 

Celebrate Recovery (CR from now on.) is a place to find support, healing, and strength to change. 

So why did Terri keep going?  She went to offer support and quickly discovered the strength to let go of personality issues that were controlling her life.  She kept going because she wanted to help others find that same freedom.  Then something unexpected happened.

Her husband, Jon, went to a CR meeting to support Terri and quickly found himself offering support to others.  Then something unexpected happened. 

Their sons went to a CR meeting to see what was going on.  They were soon offering a smile, a handshake, and support to addicts, people who had served time in jail, and strangers.  Then something unexpected happened.

Jon hired a man he met at a CR meeting who was recently released from prison.  Rob was working hard to find a second chance… and he found one.  He started work and told me, “I have received more support from this family than I ever received from my own.”  I told him this chance came with a responsibility.  He had a 17 year old boy watching him to see what he did with a second chance.  Then something unexpected happened.

Ed and Amy, friends of Jon and Terri, went to a CR meeting to hear Rob give his testimony.  They kept going and are now the weekly greeters.

Our daughter, Terri, went to Celebrate Recovery to help a young boy.  Sadly, he did not keep going, but something unexpected happened.

Four sons saw their parents step out of their comfort zones.  Friends became helpers.  Terri and Jon have led small groups.  Terri found out she could speak in public.  Jon was Rock Star of the Month for helping wherever he can.  A young man came to church because Jon invited him.  Terri has listened as mothers shared stories of their children and a wife needed help to cope with her husband’s Alzheimer.  They have seen lives changed and relationships reestablished. 

Terri kept going and something unexpected happened.  It started with one and spread to many.

https://www.celebraterecovery.com

 

 WINTER OLYMPICS

Have you been watching the Winter Olympics?  I have!

I have watched figure skating and still do not know the difference between a salchow, axel, and a lutz.  Did you know Zambonis use hot water to smooth the ice?  The costumes are beautiful, but you will not find feathers on them.  If a piece of a costume comes off and lands on the ice, there is a deduction from the skater’s score.  And, have you ever wondered why the men’s shirts never come untucked?  They wear special underwear attached to the shirt so it stays put.  Figure skating is fun to watch, but there is one sport I really, really like to watch ---

Curling!  Why?  I have no idea.  I do not know the rules.  I do not understand the scoring.  I just know it is amazing to watch.  Have you watched the face of the person pushing the stone?  Eyes focused.  Pure determination!  Then the excitement starts!  Sweep!  Sweep!  Sweep!  The stone barely misses the opposition’s guard stone, as it hooks and … and … keeps on going. 

Then the other team has a chance.  They sight in the exact spot they want the stone to land.  The stone is released.  It is going fast.  Sweep!  Sweep!  Sweep!  STOP SWEEPING!  The stone stops right in the center!  Success!

Until the other team releases their next stone and it softly taps that stone – the one perfectly placed in the middle – and sends it on its merry way into the no-score area.

Yup.  I love to watch curling.  When I ask people if they are watching the Olympics, the usual answer is, “I watch curling.”  I then ask, “Can you explain it to me?”  They answer, “No, but don’t ya love the focus when sending the stone down the ice?”

This got me to thinking about competition among the disciples.  What gold medals would they receive? 

FIRST TO BE CALLED:  Simon (aka Peter) and Andrew

LONGEST FRIENDSHIP:  Bartholomew and Phillip

OFFICIAL DOUBTER:  Thomas

SURPRISING CHOICE:  Matthew

SUPERIOR ATTITUDE:  James and John

MOST QUIET:  Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, and James the Lessor (three way tie)

NEVER DID GET IT UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE:  Judas

Fishermen, friends, brothers, a doubter, a tax collector, outspoken, quiet, and a betrayer.  They were quite a combination of men.  They were not perfect.  And yet, Jesus picked these twelve – with all their flaws and all their good qualities – to be his disciples. 

 I HAVE WHEELS

If you have read my blog, you know I had a knee replaced.  It is going good! Hubby is being an excellent nurse, cook, and chauffeur.

And I have an Angel for therapy.  No, honestly! Her name is Angel.  Of course, that is not exactly what I called her when she put me on a new machine, gave me a sweet smile, and said, “Pedal.” It was going good until I pushed too hard on one pedal and that push made a whole circle instead of a half.  I now know my knee will do 100%, but I also know it will bring tears.  I did not push quite so hard the rest of the five minutes.

During this therapy session I felt like I was a high school student.  (Freshman = walker, Sophomore = walker with wheels, Junior = cane, and Senior = you are on your own.).  I passed the walker test and moved through my sophomore and junior years in one session.  I was told to put wheels on my walker.  WHEELS! I can really tool around the house now.  I bet Bill will start posting speed limit and stop signs.  After being told I could add wheels, I was also told to start using a cane.  Out came the cane and the walk around the room began.

I answered the first question!  I knew which hand to hold the cane.  Hey, I had a 50/50 chance of getting it right.  Not really impressed, Angel proceeded to instruct me how to use said cane.  I am not the most coordinated person and letting go of a walker to hold a cane, as my only support, was a bit scary.  What if I lost my balance?  What if the new knee didn’t want to walk?  What if… What if ….  But who can resist when an Angel tells you it will be okay?   To start with, we (don’t ya love that the 'we' part only includes you) will take it slow.  Move the cane.  Now the right leg.  Now the left leg.  Try again.  Again.  Again.  And then, the left leg didn’t stop.  It moved past the cane and was followed with the cane and right leg moving as one.  I DID IT!!  Angel then informed me that I was to use the cane at home.  (Drat.  I was looking forward to speeding with my walker.)  I asked if she was going home with me to walk beside me and go, “Left, right/cane.  Left, right/cane.”

Her answer was no and, not only was she not going home with me, she would not be there for my session on Friday.  Wow, two times with Angel and she was ready to pass me back to Amy.  Okay, Friday was Angel’s day off and I was wise enough not to say that I didn’t know Angels took days off.  Occasionally I do know when to zip my lips.  Besides, I knew Amy.  She was the one who got me up and forced me to walk the halls of the hospital.  In a hospital gown!  You know those things that tie and the back can flap open at the tiniest puff of air.  The day after I was dismissed, Amy evaluated me at the first session in rehab and taught me the exercises I was to do at home.  Then she went on vacation.  Now, if you will quit laughing.  I am not that hard to get along with!  I hit a dentist once, but I am nice to the people who have the use of my knee in their hands.  Plus, they are being very nice and encouraging, as they tell me, “Just bend it a bit more.”

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I wonder if walking with God is like being in rehab.  I know the answer: YES!

God is beside me when I take a new step and when the light bulb finally goes off and I understand a scripture.  God is right there when I push too hard for my own way and He is there when that causes tears. 

And God is right there telling me, “Bend your attitude a bit more in MY direction.”

There is one big difference.  God does not take a day off and He does not take a vacation.  Poor, God.  He has to put up with me EVERY DAY!

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalms 23:6

 

QUOTES AND SAYINGS

The other day I saw a saying:  Do what makes you feel good.

Wow, now that could be fun.  If I only do what makes me feel good, I would not have to dust or pull weeds or clean the toilet.  Admit it; no one likes to clean the toilet.  I would not have to be nice to people I do not agree with.  How different my days would be.  I could spend my days working jigsaw puzzles or reading or writing.  (Do not listen to Bill if he tells you that is what I do anyway.  I dust…occasionally.)

Quotes and Sayings – I thought I would start out with ones taken from personal experience.

Sometimes the thoughts in my head get bored and go for a stroll out through my mouth.  This is never a good thing.

Forget trying to walk a mile in my shoes.  Try spending a day wandering around in my mind.  Now that will give you something worth thinking about.

In dog years …I’m dead.*

The biggest trouble with quotes and saying is that they contradict each other.

“NOTHING IS WRONG IF IT FEELS GOOD.”  Unknown

“Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it.”  Leo Tolstoy

“Right is right even if no one is doing it;  wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.”  Saint Augustine

Quotes point out that it takes all of us to stand up for what we believe in.  Lou Holtz believed he wanted to keep his job.

“On this team, we’re all united in a common goal; to keep my job.”

Does it take all of us to accomplish what is right?  What happens if no one speaks up?

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing’s going to get better.  No, it’s not.”  Dr. Seuss

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll just get run over if you just sit there.”  Will Rogers

“The world suffers a lot.  Not because of the violence of bad people, but because of the silence of good people”  Napoleon

I did find one we can all agree on.

“You’re never too important to be nice to people.  Jon Batiste

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*Dog age: 1 is equal to 15 human years, 2 is equal to 9 human years, and each year after that equals 4-5 human years.  Years age 3-75 or 73 human years @ 4.5 per year equal 329 human years.  So, 15 + 9 + 329 = 353 years old.  In dog years, I would be dead.

 JUST BE PATIENT

I am writing this January 13 because on January 28, I should be in the middle of the process of being dismissed from the hospital.  A new knee will be accompanying me home.  The old knee has served me well, but should have been replaced a few years back.  I kept putting it off until our daughter insisted I go have it looked at. 

THE PROCESS

First Surgeon:  The Physician’s Assistant took one look at my x-rays and said, “Mary you need to have that knee replaced.”  Then he introduced himself.  After discussing the amount of arthritis and previous problems during surgeries, he suggested I have the surgery in a hospital 40 miles away.  I decided to try a closer option. 

Second Surgeon:  This orthopedic surgeon is in a local hospital and has operated on our grandsons.  He took one look at the x-rays and said, “Mary we could try injections.”  My goodness!  A surgeon who suggested an alternative to surgery is quite a find.  I asked if that was the best option.  He took another look at the x-ray and said, “No.  You need a knee replacement, but we can try the injections first if you want.”  That was November 15.

The Process:  The nurse returned and we began the discussion on the process.  Blood work, an EKG, and approval for surgery will be required.  This all should take about a month.  In my mind, I am thinking that makes surgery the middle of December and off I went to get the ole arm stuck and the heart listened to.  Then I received a call on meeting with the doctor that would approve the surgery.

Process hiccup #1:  The approval doctor did not have an appointment until December 23!  What?  Really?  Now we are looking at surgery sometime in January.

Process hiccup #2:  December 7, I tested positive for Covid and the December 23 appointment was moved to December 30.  Surgery was getting pushed further and further away.

Process hiccup #3:  January 10, the doctor approved the surgery but the first available time was March 1.  What?  Really?  What happened to this should take about a month?  I hung up and opened my daily devotional.

January 10 devotional:  YOUR DESTINY

January 10 devotional scripture:  HABAKKUK 2:3

These things I plan won’t happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, do not despair for these things will surely come to pass.  Just be patient!  They will not be overdue a single day.

As I read that scripture, I took a breath and calmly offered this prayer:  God, you have this.  It will happen when the time is right.  I will just be patient.  Amen

Process surprise:  About three hours after the call saying the surgery will be March 1, the phone rang.  I was informed there was a cancellation on January 25 and they wondered if I would take that appointment.  OF COURSE.

And the process works in God’s time not mine.  Now, if there were no more hiccups, I should be on my way home.  And my hubby will love me right through recovery and therapy.  Will he be patient?  He will be very patient with me, but if he gets impatient with the process, I will hand him Habakkuk 2:3 personalized just for him.

Mary’s recovery won’t happen right away.  She will improve slowly, steadily, surely, and the vision of her healed will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, I will not despair for it will surely come to pass.  I will just be patient!  God’s plan will not be overdue and will be on the exact day He has it planned.

 

 WHO IS YOUR SNAKE?  WHAT IS YOUR APPLE?

NOTE:  The Bible does NOT say Eve ate an apple.  It says she ate fruit.  The fruit being an apple came about during a translation of the Bible and artists needing something to put in paintings and stained glass windows.  Besides, using the apple keeps little kids from asking, “Which fruit did Eve eat?  Was it a grape?  Or a lemon?”  Think how many Sunday School teachers are glad they do not have to pick a fruit.  I will go with tradition and use apple.

 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made.  He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”  The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ”  “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.  She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.”

Genesis 3:1-6 NIV

It doesn’t say the snake led her to the tree, so I think Eve was standing by the tree when the snake spoke to her.  I wonder what Eve was thinking as she stood there?  Was she admiring the color of the fruit?  Was she enjoying the shape of the tree?  Was she comparing the tree to the others in the Garden?  Was she thinking about all God had told Adam and her?  Was she wondering what the forbidden fruit tasted like?

Was the crafty serpent waiting to see what Eve would do?  Had the snake been around Eve before so that Eve was not shocked when it approached?  Did Eve take one step closer to the tree?  Did the snake see a moment ..  a split second ..  of doubt in Eve? 

We do not know their interaction prior to the snake asking Eve, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”  He listened to Eve and then said quietly that she would not die.  Instead, the snake informed her that eating the fruit would make her like God.  The snake changed Eve’s focus from God to sin.  The snake changed the fate of humans and it was so easy.  All it took was a lie that seemed like the truth. 

WHO IS YOUR SNAKE?

Of course you would not believe a snake!  Hate to tell you but snakes come in all sizes and shapes.  The snake can be a family member or a friend or a stranger.  The snake can be a beautiful woman or an ugly hag.  It can be a strong man or a sleazy man in a back street alley.  Snakes are not strong because of how they look.  They are strong because their lies are sweet to our ears and offer us what we think we need.

WHAT IS YOUR APPLE?

Just as the snake comes in many shapes and sizes, the apple comes in many forms.  The snake can offer alcohol or drugs or sex.  The snake can make excessive shopping seem like fun or ignoring family to watch every game on TV a reward for your hard work.  The snake can make young kids think they do not fit in and if they do this or that, they will be accepted.  The snake can make us feel inadequate or better than everyone else.  The snake uses lies to confuse us and then offers us a way out.  What apple would the snake lead you to?

WHO IS YOUR SNAKE?  WHAT IS YOUR APPLE?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could say, “I am strong enough to resist a snake, no matter what form it takes.  I would never turn to sin over God.”  The truth is we are all susceptible.  The snake can lead us by using phrases like everyone is doing it, it is a small compromise, you deserve this, or once will not hurt.  And with each word that comes out of the snake’s mouth, it is dangling a carrot in front of you.  That carrot could be success, health, prosperity, or a way to stop reality. 

So I ask, “Who is your snake?  What is your apple?”  Where will you find the strength to turn away?

 WHAT SOUND DOES THE CHURCH MAKE?

Who can hear us?

Pastor Larry Wade, Urbana Yoke Parish (UYP), Urbana, Indiana, is making The Opening Door the theme for 2022.  This got me to thinking about the sounds our church makes. 

Our church has a bell.  How many people can hear it?  Does the bell proclaim the beginning of Sunday worship?  Or does the bell hang there quietly as if it is just another day?

UYP is very noisy before and after church.  The congregation enjoys each other and they chatter and chatter and chatter right up to the time church starts.  They resume this fellowship at the close of service.  How far does that sound carry?  Can neighbors hear the joy of being part of a church family?  Or do closed doors muffle the sound of fellowship?

Microphones carry the sound of the message to all attending church.  Those in the back and far corner can hear and ponder God’s word.  If a person was standing outside, could they hear?  Or do closed doors stop the message from entering their heart?

The service is recorded and posted on our website and watching the video is wonderful for those who cannot attend.  They can see and hear the service.  Can their neighbors hear the Good News?  Or do the home’s walls and closed doors confine the sound, the joy, and the message?

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What would happen if others could hear the sounds a church makes?

What would happen if someone walking by heard the bell?  Would they be reminded it is time to worship?

What would happen if the doors were open and others could see the fellowship?  Would they want to discover what makes those people chatter like that?

What would happen if the doors were open?  Would a neighbor or someone going by come in and listen to the music, the prayers, and the Word of God?

What would happen if the doors were open?  What would happen if we — you, me, us, them — did not allow the walls and doors of the church to confine our worship to Sunday morning?  What would happen if we — you, me, us, them — took the joy, the fellowship, and God’s Word right out the door with us and allowed all we meet to see Jesus come alive in us?

What would happen?  Souls would be saved!

 WHAT DID I DO?

I have had this pin for years and love it.  What did I ever do to deserve this seems to be a question I ask – a lot of people ask – when things are not going …

“When things are not going how, Mary?”

Happy New Year God. 

“Don’t try to change the subject.  When things are not going how?  Going your way, maybe?”

My goodness, you do seem to be listening at all the wrong times.

“I am listening all the time.”

I know …

“Said with more than a bit of sarcasm.  My child are you having a bad day?”

No.  Actually things have been super, what with Covid and people being afraid instead of living and increased crime and inflation and no one wanting to work and people staying home instead of coming to church and …

“You do not do sarcasm well.  Sounds more like complaining.  Let’s go back to your pin.  The person on the pin is asking God what they did to deserve this.  Do you want me to give you a list?”

Yes!  I want to know what I did to deserve ..

“Mary, there is only one word on the list.”

One word?

“The word is nothing.”

Nothing?  That makes no sense.  I think you do not understand.  I want to know what I did to deserve all the hard times in life. 

“I understand perfectly.  I think you are looking at the question incorrectly.  You have done nothing to deserve all of this.”

All of what?

“Look around.  Everything you see is a gift.  The sky and the grass.  The trees and the roses.  The very air you breathe.  These were all created for you.”

For me?  But why?  If I have done nothing to deserve it, why did you create all this for me? 

“Because I love you.”

Wow. 

“And, Mary, don’t mess it up.”

Oh, I probably will.

“Yes, you probably will.  Sometimes more than once a day.”

Is that sarcasm I hear in your voice?

“No.”

Happy New Year God.

“Happy New Year Mary.”

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.  Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” 

 

Then God said, “I give you

 

Genesis 1:27-first part of 29

I give you

The air you breathe

The ground you walk on

The food you eat

The water you drink

These are gifts from a loving God.  Gifts we have done nothing to deserve.  Gifts we so take for granted. 

I give you

My Son

This is a gift from a loving Father to us, his children.  A gift we have done nothing to deserve.  A gift we only have to accept

 OH NO —- THE NEWS IS ON!

In this day and age, why would anyone watch the news?  Why pick up a newspaper?  Why turn the radio to anything except good ole rock’n roll?  It is not like the news is even news!  You have to pick out the truth and it is harder than getting something out that is stuck between two teeth.  I JUST WANT THE NEWS!

Someone asked me why I even read the news.  Why do I get upset?  Why do I post on Facebook?  

Why do I look up more than one source?

It is New Year’s Eve and I am sure you all have big plans, so this blog is going to be very short, but I want to answer the question on why I pay attention to the news.  It is simple: I want to be informed.  I want to know how local, national, and worldwide events will apply to my life.  I want to know before it is too late to change the direction our world and my life might be taking.

This is the same reason I pray and read the Bible and go to church.  I want to know how God’s word applies to my life.  I want to know before it is too late to change the direction my life might be taking.

I am only one person, one voice and I have no control over the direction of the world.  BUT, I do have control over the direction my life is taking and I have made one very important decision.

I choose to believe in Jesus Christ as the only Son of the one true God.  I confess that I am a sinner and do not deserve even a small crumb from the heavenly table of blessings.  I am A Child of God and will have eternal life, through the death of Jesus, on the Cross, and His resurrection.

As this year ends, you have the choice to begin a new year in a new direction.  What choice will you make?

 

Happy New Year

 AND THEN THEY WENT HOME

 Although I was too young to remember the first move, I have lived in nine homes.  I used to say, if I had baling twine, duct tape, and boxes, I could pack up a house in a day.  For sure it would take me longer now!!  Each move was for a good reason and each house became a home the moment we walked through the door.  BUT … we were never forced to flee for fear of our lives.

When the Wise Men had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.  “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.  Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

Disclaimer: You will not find the following in Scripture.  You will only find it in my mind as I try to picture the activities unfolding.

I can imagine Joseph waking Mary and telling her to quickly grab only essentials.  I can imagine Mary looking at Joseph and saying, “Are you sure it was an angel and not something you ate?”

And all the time - panic … Would they escape?  Would they be followed?  How?  Why?  During this panic, I picture Jesus calmly standing there with his teddy bear, his sandals on, and ready to go.  Joseph and Mary, once again, obeyed.  They left Bethlehem.

Egypt —- A new country.  New traditions and new cultures would have surrounded Joseph, Mary, and Jesus as they waited.  I wonder if Joseph went to bed every night and wondered, “Maybe tonight the angel will appear in my dream.” I wonder if every morning Mary asked, “Did you dream?”

Cliff Notes: It was all over the news: Herod is dead!  Joseph went to sleep.  The angel appeared with instructions to go to the land of Israel.  News flash:  Archelaus replaces his father, Herod.  Another dream and the family headed to Nazareth in Galilee.

AND THEN THEY WENT HOME

We have now come full circle. 

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee.

 

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.  And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus went home.

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The Christmas Story did not end at the birth.  The baby became a toddler.  The toddler became a teenager.  The teenager became a man.  And all this time, Jesus was learning.  He learned how to walk and talk and eat and drink.  He learned how to get up after falling down and he learned it hurt when he stubbed his toe.  He was observing.  He was listening to the words of the Old Testament.  He played.  He worked.  He saw people happy, sad, grieving, and celebrating.  He saw birth and he saw death.  Jesus was experiencing life, as he waited to begin his ministry.

We call it a Christmas Story or a Christmas Miracle, but we should call it the Miracle which began on Christmas because the Good News – no – GREAT NEWS is that

THE MIRACLE WHICH BEGAN ON CHRISTMAS HAS NEVER ENDED ! ! !

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.  From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”    John 14:2-4, 6-7

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.    Mark 16:19

A Miracle Began on Christmas --

A baby was born that day.

The New Testament began that day.

Our chance for eternal life began that day.

Merry Christmas

 

 

THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT:  LOVE

Love – Finding love in the Christmas story is a piece of cake! 

No one knows if Mary and Joseph were “in love” when they were pledged to be married.  I think it is safe to assume Mary loved Joseph by the time Jesus was born.  How could she not?  He took her into his home even after finding out she was pregnant.  He was there for her – and that is love!

Joseph took Mary home as his wife because an angel told him to.  Did he love her then?  We do not know, but we know he was an honorable man who obeyed an angel sent with a message from God.  Joseph had no union with her until after Jesus was born.  He respected Mary.  Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt to keep them safe.  He took care of them.  Joseph was there as Jesus grew and became strong.  Joseph saw Jesus become filled with wisdom and the grace of God.  He was there – and that is love!

LOVE

I looked up the meanings of hope, peace, and joy.  I gave up on a meaning for love.  My goodness, there are books and books and articles and articles on the subject.  They all seem to go in different directions.  Scholars will tell you the meaning in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew.  Scholars can sometimes be way too scholarly. 

The word love is applied to everything today.  I love cheesecake.  I love sunrises.  I love my neighbor.  I love my car.  I love my church.  I love …  I love … I love.  And of course, I love my family and friends.  A lifetime could be spent researching the word and the emotion.  You might be thinking, “I wonder how Mary would describe love.”

Well, since you were thinking that, I will answer your question.  I think love is a gift we give away.  If we have love and we hold onto it, it is worthless.  It is only when love is given away that it has value.

LOVE

Mary and Joseph gave the gift of love to a child. 

Love held onto is worthless… ahhh .. BUT love given as a gift opens our heart and we are blessed with an emotion that cannot be described in any language.  The gift of love can be given in the simple act of holding a hand.  Or listening.  Or doing the dishes.  Or comforting a scared child.  Or by …….

….. by sending your Son.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR,

MIGHTY GOD,

EVERLASTING FATHER,

PRINCE OF PEACE.

Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

Isaiah 9:6-7

THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT:  JOY

I can hear the conversation, as Joseph tells Mary, “Oh Mary, I wish we did not have to go to Bethlehem.  It is going to be so hard on you.”

“I will be fine, Joseph.  God will take care of us.  Did you get a reservation?”

“No,” Joseph replied.  “I tried the Hampton and Holiday Inn.  They have no rooms.  Motel 6 is so full they turned the light off.”

The journey ahead of Joseph and Mary would be filled with many trials and unknowns.  A journey.  No room.  A baby due.  Responsibilities.  Where would Joseph and Mary find joy?

JOY

The American Psychological Association describes joy as a feeling of extreme gladness, delight, or exultation of the spirit arising from a sense of well-being or satisfaction.  The feeling of joy may take two forms: passive and active.  Passive joy involves tranquility and a feeling of contentment with things as they are.  Active joy involves a desire to share one’s feelings with others.

Ingrid Fetell Lee, a designer whose work focuses on the way design affects our lives and empowers people to find more joy in daily life, wrote, “There’s also research that connects experiences of joy, and particularly sharing joy with other people, to improved relationships.  When we share little moments of joy with other people, it forms a signal that lets them know that we’re actually going to be there for them not just when things are good but when times are tough.”

JOY

Okay, let’s do the obvious.  Joseph and Mary found great joy the moment they saw and held the baby Jesus.  But were there other joys while they were waiting for the birth?  Oh my YES ! ! !

Think back to when the angel came to Mary.  Now, picture a young woman, head bowed, shoulders relaxed, and breathing very slowly as she says, “I am the Lord’s servant.” She had a sense of well-being.  JOY.

Remember Joseph as he awoke from his dream and he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him.  He would be beside Mary and the baby for life! JOY.

Mary went to see her cousin, Elizabeth.  Can you imagine the joy in the room the minute Mary entered and Elizabeth heard her voice?  If sharing joy can improve a relationship, Mary and Elizabeth’s relationship leaped to a whole new level.  JOY.

Mary and Joseph had hope and they found peace in their decisions, but their entire story is a story of joy.  Joy in their hearts as they committed their lives to God’s plan.  Joy in their lives as they followed God’s plan.  Joy as two babies connected while in the womb.  Joy when they heard the cry of a newborn.  Joy as the shepherds came.  JOY … JOY … So much joy the heavenly host praised God and said, “Glory to God in the highest heaven.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:10-12

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT:  LOVE

The Bible has 66 Books.  The New Testament has 27 books and, depending on the translation, 7,957 verses.  The Christmas Story, the birth of God’s Son, is told in 71 of those verses in Matthew and Luke.  Hope, peace, and joy are a result of the true meaning of Christmas:  LOVE.  Please read Matthew 1:18-25 - 2:1-12 and Luke 1:26-56 and 2:1-20.  

 THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT: PEACE

How quickly life can change.  One minute we have the hope for a better future and the next our future is not exactly what we had hoped for.

Mary had so many “hopes” as she prepared to become Joseph’s wife.  Her future was set and …

Mary’s day had been like every other day.  She had helped her mother cook.  She had checked her small stack of items she would move into Joseph’s house.  Her day had passed quickly and she was looking forward to a few minutes alone.  How precious a few quiet minutes were.  Taking a deep breath, Mary relaxed …..

An angel came to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

The angel continued, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”

Joseph was, to say the least, shocked when he found out Mary was pregnant.  They had plans.  Yes, she was young, but he would be a kind and understanding husband, but to find out she was pregnant made him question their future.  Quickly, he decided he would quietly divorce her.  That would be the best for them.  Yes, a quiet divorce.

A dream and now it was clear.  He was no longer afraid to take Mary as his wife.  The angel had told him, “What is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”  He found Mary and “took Mary home as his wife.  But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son.  And he gave him the name Jesus.”

PEACE

What picture comes to mind when you hear the word peace?  Do you see a world without wars?  A country which maintains public order?  A society which lacks hostility?  These would certainly be wonderful.  But – do you ever consider peace as a personal thing?

Peace can also have meaning to each of us, individually.  Peace can mean a state of quiet or tranquility without mental stress or anxiety.

On the All Time Short Stories website, there is a story titled The Real Meaning of Peace.  The story tells of a king looking for a picture of peace.  Wonderful calm paintings were presented, but the one he picked was a great surprise. 

The picture was of a ragged, bare mountain and angry weather.  It did not look peaceful, until you looked very closely. The story explained: “As the king inspected the picture, he could see a tiny bush growing in the cracks in the rock.  In the bush, a mother bird had built her nest.  In the midst of the rush of angry weather, the bird sat on her nest with peace.

The peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise or trouble.  Peace means to be in the midst of all the chaos and still be calm in the heart.  The real peace is the state of mind, not the state of the surroundings.”

PEACE

But how did Mary find peace.  God was asking much of her.  God asked her to change her life and all she had hoped for.  How was Joseph to find peace?  God was asking him to be a father to a child which would fulfill the words of a prophet.

We so often think of peace in global terms, but peace is also a personal thing.  How did Mary and Joseph find their personal peace?

The angel spoke to Mary and Mary answered: “I am the Lord’s servant.  May your word to me be fulfilled.”

The angel spoke to Joseph and “Joseph woke up and did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him …”

Mary and Joseph found peace by hearing and obeying God.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT:  JOY

Joseph and Mary have a journey ahead of them.  They must travel to Bethlehem, the town of David, because Caesar Augustus ordered a census be taken.  Will joy come at the end of this journey?