RE-BLOG NUMBER FOUR:

If you do not understand the idea of re-blog, I will know you did not read the blog for February 2, 2024

Friday, February 28, 2014

WHERE DID HE GO NOW?

(based on Mark 1:36-37)

My imagination wouldn't let go of the disciples looking for Jesus. It is way too funny of a vision rolling around in my mind because I see the disciples scurrying around like mice.

Remember Jesus got up very early. While it was still dark he went off to pray. The disciples were worn out from the previous day's activity, had hit the snooze button on their alarm clocks and were blissfully grabbing ten more minutes of slumber. First one and then the other stood up, stretched and mumbled, "Good morning."

No one was completely awake and conversation was at a minimum until Simon had his first sip of coffee. It was then he realized Jesus was missing.

"Where is Jesus?" Simon asked. "Is he still asleep?"

One disciple ran to where Jesus had slept. "No! He is not here," shouted the disciple.

The disciples were not worried. Surely Jesus was outside looking at the morning star. "No," another disciple yelled, "he is not out here."

My imagination sees the disciples going from room to room looking for Jesus. I bet they even checked the rooms more than once. No Jesus.

Finally, the voice of reason was heard, "Do you suppose he went off to pray?"

The disciples had to figure out which direction Jesus went. This finding Jesus was much harder than the Finding Waldo books. Waldo stayed still on a page but Jesus - well, the disciples were never exactly sure where Jesus would go next.

Get ready. Here it comes. They found him and said, “Everybody’s looking for you.”

I bet Jesus turned his head, looked at his disciples and chuckled, while thinking, "Those silly disciples. Next time I will leave a note."

IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU

Oh my goodness! The disciples lost Jesus. How dare they?

It could happen to you. Have you ever lost Jesus?

The disciples knew exactly where Jesus was when they went to sleep. The disciples could not find Jesus when they woke up. My imagination makes this a funny scene because when something is lost we look everywhere to find it. We even look in places again to make sure we didn't miss it the first time we looked. This is not funny though.

Have you ever lost Jesus? One minute he is there. Right beside you. Close enough to touch. You are so sure he is with you. You can feel his peace. His presence.

And then you cannot. Jesus is lost. You do not feel his peace. You do not feel his presence.

"Where are you Jesus?" you cry out. "I need you. I need you now."

You look for Jesus. "Where did I leave him? What happened between yesterday and today? What happened to my sense of security? I study. I read the Bible. I believe. Jesus, where are you?"

Alone, even if you are in a crowd or surrounded by family and friends, is how you feel. There is emptiness inside you. But why?

When this happens and it happens to every believer at some time in their faith walk, you have to take a deep breath and examine how you feel, what you have been doing and what you have been thinking. Are you on so many committees at church you don't have time for Jesus? Do you have health issues which consume your whole focus? Have you been so busy feeding the faith of others you have failed to feed yourself?

Stop. Take a deep breathe. Turn around. Jesus is right there and I bet Jesus arms are open and he is saying, "I will never leave you."

RE-BLOG NUMBER THREE:

Friday, February 21, 2014

SOLITARY PLACE

(based on Mark 1:35-37)

These verses cause such a feeling of peace. Come along with my imagination.

It is early morning. Very early and still dark. Do you see Jesus?

Look close at the door. There he is. He is coming out. But where is he going? Why this early? Everyone is still asleep and for sure the coffee shops are not open. What could be so important to get up before the rooster crowed? Why is Jesus not taking one of the disciples with him?

Picture Jesus slowly walking to the edge of town. Calmly putting one foot in front of the other. Slowly but with determination. Jesus is a man on a mission.

Why is he stopping there? What is he doing? Oh!

Ever so gently, Jesus lifts his eyes toward heaven. Then he bows his head.

Jesus prays.

There is no record of what Jesus said. It only says he went off to a solitary place where he prayed. What is important is he prayed.

Can you picture him? His shoulders relaxed. His hands clasped and resting softly in his lap. Taking time to talk with God his Father. Sometimes looking up and smiling. Sometimes the smile being replaced with a look of concern.

Do you hear him praying for -- praying for all of God's sons and daughters?

Off by himself until Simon and his companions find him and exclaim, "Everyone is looking for you!"

I can picture them trying to find Jesus, but the search will have to be another story.

This vision is of Jesus when he went off to a solitary place and prayed.

IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU

Jesus went off and prayed.

It could happen to you. Do you go off and pray?

This text is not the only reference to Jesus praying. He prayed in a solitary place, on a mountainside, in a garden and on a cross. Jesus prayed to his Father and he prayed for Simon. Jesus taught us the Lord's Prayer. Jesus prayed for himself, the disciples and believers.

Jesus took prayer seriously. Do you?

"You don't understand. I am really busy and the day quickly slips away."

"I don't know what to say. I don't have the right words."

"Do I have to fold my hands? Do I have to raise them? "

My goodness, you are trying to make something really simple very complicated. How about we go over the basics?

There is no right and wrong position. You can pray in bed before you wake up or you can kneel beside your bed. You can pray sitting down or standing up. You can pray in church, in your home, in your car and outdoors. God does not care where you pray.

Your hands are free to be hands. They may lie in your lap. They may wave in the air. They can be lifted high or they can be under your head as you go to sleep. God does not care about the position of your hands.

Now let's tackle the words to use. News Flash: God only wants to hear you talk to him. He wants to hear you marvel at this world he has created for you to enjoy. He wants to hear your questions. He wants to take your concerns and your worries. God sincerely wants to hear, "Can we talk?" God doesn't care what words you use.

Jesus prayed. Do you?

RE-BLOG NUMBER TWO:

Friday, February 14, 2014

SILENT

(based on Luke 1:5-25 and 1:57-80)

"Man I sure have a new compassion for those who cannot speak. Nine months without being able to talk seemed like an eternity. Especially when I had such a great story to tell," Zechariah thought as he held his newborn son.

Zechariah, a priest, and his wife Elizabeth were upright in the sight of God. They followed those commandments and regulations. They were content but their family was only two. They had no children. No children until -- Let Zechariah tell you about it.

"I remember it as if it was yesterday. I was burning the incense when an angel appeared. Having an angel pop in on you is a bit out of the ordinary. My mind went from what I might have done wrong to fearing what he would say."

"Then the angel said not to be afraid and my prayer had been heard. Well, I pray a lot so I wasn't sure exactly which prayer he was referring to until he said my wife's name and she would have a baby. A baby?"

"Then I made a mistake. I pointed out to an angel - the angel Gabriel - God's messenger - that Elizabeth and I were a bit old to be having a baby. Gabriel seemed a bit upset with me questioning his good news and informed me I would be silent until after the baby was born. I wish I could pull those words back into my mouth."

Can you picture Zechariah going home and not being able to explain they needed to get busy and prepare a nursery? Can you see the struggle he went through knowing his son would go before the Lord? Can you picture the wonder in his eyes because the angel mentioned Elijah in the same breath as he mentioned his son? But he was silent.

After nine months, Zechariah finally gets to speak, "And you, my child, ……"

IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU

Zechariah learned he would become a father and he was to name the child John. He was told the baby would be a joy and a delight and many would rejoice because of his birth. Zechariah had such great news but was silent.

It could happen to you. Do you have good news but remain silent?

There is danger in remaining silent. (You are thinking, "I am not a speaker. I cannot get up in front of people and talk. Speaking is not my talent." Keep reading because this is not about speaking to a group.) When you remain silent, you may cause your family and friends to question your faith. If your faith is not important enough to talk about, it must not be a big part of your life.

Luke could have written a very short, "John was born and prepared the way for Jesus." Instead Luke wrote many verses about Zechariah, Elizabeth and John. Luke wanted his friends, family and all generations to know about John the Baptist. Can you see Luke smiling as he sent this wonderful news to his friends. Can you imagine the joy his friends felt when they read the news Luke had for them? Luke did not remain silent. His message was important.

Zechariah had to be silent for nine months. Nine long months. Months when he could not tell about the glory of God and what was about to happen.

Do you have good news to tell but remain silent? Is your faith important enough to share? Important enough you cannot keep it to yourself?

I waited.  I thought.  I waited some more.  Not one idea for a blog.  I looked in my “ideas I have not used folder.  Not one of them sounded good.  Then it hit me.  Facebook does a reminder of what you were doing three, five, or ten years ago.  I would look back to 2014.  What did I write then? 

I read the blog for February 7, 2014.  Then I read the blogs for the rest of the month.  Guess what – you are going to have a month of re-blogs.

Friday, February 07, 2014

YOU WANT WHAT?

(based on 1 Kings 3:4-15 and 2 Chronicles 1:7-12)

Solomon was a really great man but I wonder if his mind was as sharp as everyone thought. Or maybe it was something he ate at the great gathering of the whole assembly. Either way, I am sure he did not understand the choice God gave him.

Tired after speaking to all Israel - commanders, judges, leaders and heads of families - and going to the high place at Gibeon, Solomon fell asleep. Solomon slept and he had a dream. A whooper of a dream.

"Solomon," said God. "I have a quick question for you. What would you like? Anything. Name it and you got it."

I do not know about you but there are many ways to answer a question such as this. Health. Wealth. A brand new car. Getting my pesky neighbor to move. But no -

Solomon answers, "Oh, wisdom and knowledge will be enough."

"Really? Okay, if wisdom and knowledge are your heart's desire," God replied. "Solomon, you knew how to answer because you have struck the jackpot. Wisdom and knowledge will guide you as you govern my people but you will also receive wealth, riches and honor like none before or none after. And, if you walk in my way, you will live a long time."

Solomon woke up, made some wise decisions and did not lack for chariots, horses, gold or silver.

Solomon was right in the head and he had not eaten any bad food. Solomon was already wise enough to know how to answer God's question.

Wisdom and knowledge is exactly what Solomon needed.

IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU

A simple question: What do you want? A simple answer: What I need.

It could happen to you. Need to change the wording for this one. This does happen to you.

God is always asking you, "What do you want?" Then he waits for your answer.

When you answer are you wise like Solomon? Is your answer what you want? Or is your answer what you need? There is a big difference.

"What do you want?" God asks you.

With a smile and desire, you reply, "I want to be rich so I can buy a new car, fancy clothes and the best of the best. I want to be healthy so I can dance and run and shop. I want you to get rid of one pesky neighbor who is always bothering me."

Or do you answer another way.

"What do you want?" God asks you.

In a quiet voice you reply, "I want enough to live and help others. I want you to be there as my body hurts, my eyes blur and sounds disappear. I want you to walk with me as I visit my neighbor."

Do you remember what happened to Solomon when God heard his answer? Solomon received what he needed and so much more.

God will do the same for you. God will bless you. Maybe not with a new car or a new neighbor, but with a new outlook on what you need. He will also bless you with forgiveness and eternal life.

"What do you want?" God asks you.

How will you answer?

JOHN THE BAPTIST

The idea for this blog came to me at 5:00 AM, January 23, 2024.  I started it with “I am no artist” and I was going to include a picture I had drawn during a Bible study.  A simple picture to show Jesus being baptized with the sins of all the people floating around him.  I had two sentences written when I realized John was to be the focus.  You see, study after study focuses on Jesus.  The Spirit of God is given a whole chapter.  But what about John?  I started over. 

Picture John telling all the people that “the one was coming.”  This was his message.  One after another, after another, after another, he would dip them in the water and proclaim, “Be prepared.  Confess your sins.  Be baptized, but know, I only baptize with water.  The one who is coming is powerful.  He will Baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire.”

I often wondered if John dropped the person he was baptizing when he saw Jesus.  Anyway, he looked up and saw his cousin standing there.  Can you see the smile on Jesus face?  Jesus knew John would stutter and stammer about not being worthy to baptize him.  John would look in Jesus’ eyes and know.  He would know this was why he had been born.  Born for this very moment.

I can see John humbly take Jesus’ hand.  I can see Jesus step into the river.  I can see John look at Jesus and, in that split second, he would understand.  And he would feel the power.  He would feel it as he put his hand on Jesus’ back.  He would feel it as he lowered Jesus into the water.  He would feel it as he spoke silently.  He would feel it as he raised Jesus out of the water.  John would never be the same.  John was changed.

John was changed.  He had heard about the angel coming to his father.  He had heard how his father could not talk.  He had heard about being given the name John.  He had followed all the instructions which the angel had given his father.  He only ate locusts and wild honey.  He had never tasted wine.  And people laughed at the way he dressed.  He had baptized so many people and heard their sins spoken as they were tipped back into the water.  But this… this was different.

John had not expected to have his eyes opened.  He had not known he would be so changed.  Changed because now he understood.  He understood the why to all the times he had been told he could not act how the other children had acted.  He understood why he was to only eat certain foods.  He understood ..  and he was changed.  As John stood in the middle of the Jordan River, no longer holding the Son of God, he was changed.

And John took a deep breath, reached his hand out to a sinner, and said, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is here, the one who is more powerful than I, will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire.”

And John was changed.  Why?  Because the one who was coming had arrived.

Are you thinking this should be an Easter blog?  It probably would work better there, but for some reason and for some person, this blog is to be posted today.  Someone is struggling.  Someone wants to change.  If that someone is you, talk with Jesus.  And, like John, you will be changed.

MY 2024 RESOLUTION —

I was reading the editor’s comments, in the Angel’s magazine, and it got me to thinking.  She said each year she picked a word to be her “word” for the year.  Previous words had been patience and trust.  She was having a hard time picking a word for 2024 until her mother suggested she pick music.  She knew her daughter loved music and loved to dance.  Music made her daughter glow.  Like a good daughter, she listened to her mother.

The point of the article was that we always make a New Year’s Resolution to change something about ourselves.  We will have respect for others.  We will have more hope.  We will watch our language.  We will obey the speed limit.  Sadly, most of us are never able to keep those resolutions.

The Forbes Health/One Poll survey found that the average resolution lasts just 3.74 months.  Only 8% of respondents tend to stick with their goals for one month, while 22% last two months, 22% last three months and 13% last four months.  Not a very good track record.

BUT (pay attention because BUT means a brilliant idea is coming) what if we were like the editor and made a resolution to celebrate and increase the talents God gave us?

I do enjoy music, but God did not endow me with the gift of things associated with music.  I cannot sing.  I cannot dance.  I can barely find the Message on Sirius XM.  BUT (attention please) if you are gifted with a musical talent, maybe your resolution should be to bless more people with that talent.

God did bless me with a very vivid imagination.  I can listen to the music from a play and the play will run through my mind.  I can see the stage and the action.  I read a book and the scenes unfold in my imagination.  I can read a story in the Bible and picture it.  I can see the crippled woman walking through the men to go to Jesus.  I can see the man being lowered through the roof.  My Sunday School class probably wishes I would use it less, BUT I will continue to use those images to bring a character to life or to help explain why the character felt pain or joy or invisible.

Do you get the idea?  Use what God gave you to spread that joy to others.  Use your talent to encourage.   Did you ever think about encouraging being a talent?  It is and if you are an encourager keep it up.  You are a blessing to others.  Are you a good listener?  That is such a gift.  So many people wish they had someone to just listen to them — to actually hear them — to acknowledge their fears and dreams and joys and tears.  Is that you?  Are you a listener?  Then make a resolution to use that talent.

Do you get the idea?  Do you like people?  Be an usher at church.  Do you love the scripture?  Be a liturgist.  Do you have a talent for leading a Bible Study?  Then do it.  Are you reading this and thinking, “I do like _____ but I would be no good at it.”  That is just the gap Satan is looking for.  (Last week’s blog.) He will stop you from using your God given talent by convincing you that you are not good enough.  BUT YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH.  God will guide you.  God will give you opportunities BUT you have to be willing to step out of your “I am not good enough” zone and say yes.  It might be a very small yes, BUT it is the first step.

It is not too late to make a resolution for 2024.  What talent do you celebrate?  What talent do you get great joy from?  What talent brings joy to others?  What talent could bring joy if you shared it?

Make a 2024 resolution: I thank God for the talent of ________ and I will use it as God directs.

 HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY

Last week I answered the age old question of how many people it takes to change a light bulb.  This week I would like to tackle another very old question.  Why did the chicken cross the road?  No, not that one.  That one involves the mind of a female and, as we all know, there is no understanding the mind of a woman.  How often have you been asked: Is the glass half full or half empty?  Your answer is, somehow, supposed to be an indicator of your personality.

With the assumption that the drinking glass has no lid, there is only one answer, but first let’s look at some definitions:

EMPTY:

• containing nothing
• not occupied or inhabited
• lacking reality, substance, meaning, or value

FULL:

• containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
• enjoying all authorized rights and privileges,
• completely occupied especially with a thought or plan

AIR:

• the mixture of invisible odorless tasteless gases (such as nitrogen and oxygen)that surrounds the earth

Is the glass half full or half empty?  The glass, which has no lid, is always full.  You can add water to the very rim and call the glass full.  You can drink half the water and ..  drum roll ..  the glass is still full.  Air replaced the water.

Instead of a glass, let’s think about our souls and start with some definitions.  Note:  The definition for soul was not so easy to find.  These seem to be the common ones.  Also, soul and spirit are not the same thing.

SOUL:

• a person’s total self
• the part of man which enables him to think and reason
• it designates the whole person as characterized by desires, wishes, even cravings and emphasizes that humans are emotional beings

GOD:

• the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe
• a being or object that is worshipped as having more than natural attributes and powers
• the one controlling a particular aspect or part of reality.

LUCIFER/SATAN/DEVIL:

• the rebellious angel who in Christian belief is the adversary of God and lord of evil
• a personal supreme spirit of evil often represented in Christian belief as the tempter of humankind
• the opposite of truth

I like the definition that soul is “a person’s total self.”  Wow.  My total self.  That would mean I am filled to the brim with my soul.  From top to bottom.  From right to left.  Filled.  My soul fills me.  I am filled with desires, wishes, cravings, and I am emotional. 

Well, let me tell you I am filled to the brim with God!!  Clear to the top!  My prayer list is long.  I really, really study to prepare Sunday School lessons, and writing my blog is a time of listening to God’s direction on what words to use.  I am filled to the brim …

but what if I am not filled?  What if I have let my prayer time slip so I can play a computer game?  What if I only glance over the study guides and articles for Sunday School prep?  What if it is Thursday and I do a good enough blog?  What if I am not filled?

Remember the air filling the glass as drinks of water were taken?  If I am not filled, there is room for something else to come into my soul.  And that is just what Satan is waiting for.  All he needs is a tiny gap.  He will do his best to pull me away from my God and Christian beliefs.  He will tell me lies.  And his lies will begin to make sense. 

Is the glass half full or half empty?  The glass, which has no lid, is always full. 

Is your soul half full or half empty?  Is there a gap for Satan to find?

 

 HOW MANY?

How many chiropractors does it take to change a lightbulb?  One, but it takes six visits.

How many Einsteins does it take to change a lightbulb?  That depends on the speed of the change and the mass of the bulb.  Or vice versa, of course.  It just might be easier to leave the bulb and change the room.  It’s all relative.

How many lawyers does it take to change a lightbulb?  How many can you afford?

How many board meetings does it take to change a lightbulb?  This topic was resumed from last week’s discussion but is incomplete pending resolution of some action items.  It will be continued next week.  Meanwhile…….

How many church members does it take to light a candle?

Sunday I had a flashback during church.  Eli, the young man lighting the candles, was very serious.  He watched his step coming down the aisle.  He was holding the candle lighter (Yes that is what it is called.  No technical name … just candle lighter.) at the correct angle.  Now, Eli is an experienced acolyte.  This was not his first rodeo.  Then it happened.  The candle would not light and then the candle lighter flame went out.  And suddenly Christmas Eve a few years back flashed before my eyes.

The church lights were dimmed for the annual Christmas Eve service.  The altar candles were lit.  The Advent candles were lit ..  or almost lit.  One candle would not light.  No matter what angle the candle lighter was held.  No matter ….  I was sure we were going to get an answer to the age old question: How many church members does it take to light a candle.  That night it could have been the whole congregation because that one candle WOULD NOT LIGHT!!!!!!

This past Sunday gave me an answer though.  It takes four church members to light a candle.  The acolyte, the lay leader, the man handing up the back-up lighter, and the Pastor (the acolyte’s dad) who was offering encouragement.

Often there is only one way to look at a good story/blog.  Not this time.  Many lessons can be learned from a candle being stubborn.

Sometimes, no matter how you try or how many try, a person will refuse the light of God.

Sometimes, your light will ignite the light of God in another.

Sometimes, you can start the process, but then need others to add their light to make the path brighter.

And finally, sometimes others need to give encouragement to you as you carry the light of God.

This is a new year with unlimited opportunities to use your light to lead someone to Christ.  How do you plan on doing that?

—————————————

I could not pass this one up: How many televangelists does it take to change a lightbulb?  But for the message of light to continue, send in your donation today.

Okay.  I should not have looked on down the list.  How many telemarketers does it take to change a lightbulb?  Only one, but that person has to do it while you’re eating dinner.

That is all folks…..

 

NOW WHAT?

Christmas is over.  Now what?  For many people, this means going back to work.  Back to the office.  Back to the ole grind of day after day after day.

Jesus was born.  The wise men were headed to Bethlehem.  King Herod was about to get very upset.  (Nothing new for him.) Matthew 2:11 says that the wise men saw “the young child with Mary his mother.”  There is no mention of Joseph.  That made me wonder why.  Where was Joseph?

Then it hit me.  Christmas was over.  Joseph was at work.

Can you imagine Joseph’s surprise when he looked up and saw wise men coming into town? There would have been support people with them.  No way were the wise men traveling by themselves.  They were busy looking at maps and stars.  They did not have time for normal things like cooking, setting up and tearing down of tents, and cleaning up behind who knows how many camels.  This would have been a parade through the streets.  People would be staring and following them.  But where were they going?  “Oh my goodness,” Joseph thought.  “They have stopped at our house.  I hope Mary is home and not at the market.”

The wise men worshipped the child, presented him with gifts, and left town.  Joseph had a dream.  By night, he took the young child and his mother and left for Egypt.

They fled to Egypt.  Now what? Joseph went to work.

Herod died and Joseph dreamed.  The family left for the land of Israel.  Joseph had another dream and they came to dwell in the city called Nazareth.

The family arrived in Nazareth.  Now what? Joseph went to work.

Other than when Joseph and Mary headed home from Jerusalem, when Jesus was 12, there is no further mention of Joseph.  Some say Joseph died and that is the reason we do not hear of him during Jesus’ ministry.

What do I think?  Joseph went to work.  He needed to take care of his family.

——————————

I think the same thing about Jesus.  For 30 years he studied and learned.  Then one day, he laid down his carpenter tools, shook his father’s hand, kissed his mommy on the cheek, and said, “It is time for me to go to work.  I must take care of my Father’s family.”

And Jesus went to work.

 

GIFTS

There they stand.  A row of gifts.  They are not under the tree and they are not wrapped fancy.  A broken leg has changed a lot of “traditions” this year.  And that made me think.  What makes Christmas?  There are so many things — things — that are required for us to have a merry Christmas.

That Santa ornament must hang on the tree first.  Four kids and we each had one.  Mine was marked by a piece of tape that had turned yellow.  Even as an adult, that ornament was the first on the tree.  But one year I could not find it.  It was not in the ornament box.  Somewhere, in a move, that one ornament had disappeared.  Maybe it had gotten thrown out.  It was not very big and, wrapped in newspaper; it could have easily been considered trash.  And, just like that, a tradition ended.

Of course, Santa’s gifts were to be seen first.  He knew just what the kids wanted.  Presents from parents and siblings would come later, but first there was the “look at this” and “how did he know” and the “this is just what I wanted.” Our two children got married and moved to their own homes.  Santa did not come anymore.  And, just like that, a tradition ended.

The strange part is that we believe traditions will last a lifetime.  They do not.  We believe traditions must be carried from one generation to the next.  They do not.  We believe traditions cannot change.  They can.

Christmas morning begins with Bill and I getting ready to have breakfast with our daughter’s family.  We have done this for a number of years now and their four boys think we have always come for Christmas breakfast.  They believe it is a tradition.  It is now.  It is a new tradition

Only two children and six grandchildren, but finding a time to get together for Christmas is a challenge.  There is no tradition on this.  (I refuse to play the “you have to be here on __insert date___.”)  We do Christmas when the majority can be here.  This year we are doing it tomorrow — December 23rd — because that is when the grandkids decided to have it.  After the date was set, we told their parents and invited them to join us.  Some of the kids are coming early to play games, to talk, or to look at old pictures.  Some will be here later.  And, hopefully, all will be here for pizza and presents.  A new tradition?  No, but if it happens two years in a row, it will magically become a tradition and how we always did it.

What is required for us to have a Merry Christmas?  Only one thing.  Only one thing — and it does not require us to be surrounded by family or have a big meal or even a Christmas tree.  What is that one thing?  It is very simple.

What is required to have a Merry Christmas?

To BELIEVE

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 NIV

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 baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  Luke 2:10-12 KJV

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.  Luke 2:21 KJV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16 KJV

What is required to have a Merry Christmas?

To BELIEVE

MERRY CHRISTMAS,

Mary

THE PUZZLE

Another birthday gift has given me Christmas inspiration.  

Our son gave me an Advent Puzzle.  Each day I open a box and work those pieces. 

I work puzzles all year long, so why is this one worth writing about?  Because this is not about working a puzzle.  It is about a journey and this time I will work the puzzle in sections – each section leading me to the next and the next and the next, until I reach the end. 

I always think my life is a puzzle.  I sure do not know what is happening next and the pieces of my life do not seem to go together in any certain order.  I cannot find the border pieces and it is difficult to tell the real me from the reflection in the water.  AND when I think I am getting this puzzle of me put together, I realize there is a piece missing.  That is the absolute worst! 

A puzzle lays still.  The pieces just waiting to be put together, BUT in real life, not only do the pieces not lay still, the number of pieces seem to increase.  I will almost have a section completed when I meet someone new and they become a part of my life.  My life puzzle gets larger.  Or someone I care about will die and my puzzle will have a hole.  Or my puzzle will take a twist, such as a broken leg, and a whole new section is added.  Or my mind – okay, best if we don’t try to understand my mind.

Does any of this make sense to you?  If you are not a passionate puzzle person, you might not understand my analogy.  Putting together a puzzle is a process and I usually think I have the process figured out.  Life is a process and we often think we have the process figured out.  BUT often God has other plans and that is why a Christmas puzzle is an inspiration.

I think Mary’s life was pretty straight forward.  She was espoused to Joseph and they had all their plans made.  She knew exactly what would happen next.  She would move from her parent’s home into a home with Joseph.  That was the plan – until -- her life instantly became a puzzle and the pieces no longer fit together.  Gabriel, in one visit, placed Mary on an entirely different path -- a path that had never been taken.  The only instructions came when Gabriel told Mary, “No word from God will ever fail.”  With that she found puzzle piece number one:  TRUST.

After that, Mary found many pieces for the puzzling road ahead of her.  Elizabeth proclaimed “blessed is the child you will bear” and her “baby leaped in her womb.”  Mary’s second puzzle piece was AFFIRMATION.  Mary received two puzzle pieces from Joseph.  Joseph showed Mary great RESPECT when he decided to not expose Mary to public disgrace.  He also gave her SUPPORT after the angel commanded him to take Mary as his wife.

You see, the pieces we need to complete our life puzzle come from many, many sources:  Our family, friends, and church.  Our experiences and strangers.  What we see and read.  Life.  Yes, pieces are found everywhere.

AND the puzzle of my life – the puzzle of your life – is surrounded by the secure love of God.

THE ANGEL

Last week I told you that our Nativity was placed where all could see it and this year it had flowers around it.  They are to remind us that Jesus came to be with us spring, summer, fall, and winter…..   no matter what season of life we are in and to remember Jesus will still be here even after the Nativity is put back in the box.

This week I did find inspiration in another decoration.  I received an angel for my birthday and she is just the right size to fit in our dining room window.  The dining room is decorated very simply -- the angel plus some garland, a lamp, and some Christmas globes. 

  

 

I think the angel needs a name — GT.  Yes, I shall call her GT.

“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

Now that she has a name, I will continue.  For some reason, maybe it is her size; the angel makes the room feel safe.  As if she is standing guard.  Wait till you see her once she is plugged in.

GT is an infinity light angel and, when plugged in, it is as if she goes on forever. 

I had this blog finished and had made a good point about being plugged into the power of God.  Then I looked closely at this next picture and that point was evident.

Do you see it?  The first angel picture shows how we look to others when we live for earthly things. They see what we have  --- wealth, possessions, family, and health.  They see what we do.  They see a reflection of the world.

BUT – that is not what people are to see in believers.  They should see the power of God.  They should see the hope and joy and peace and love that came to earth one night, when a baby was born, and placed in a manger.  A baby who came to bring the light of God into the world.  Into our souls. 

So this Christmas, plug in those Christmas lights, but first plug yourself into the one power source that will shine through you so brightly that all will see the grace and mercy and forgiveness and eternal life – all will see the light of God.

Next week?  I have already found my inspiration.  That means I will not have to puzzle over an idea.

 

THE 2023 NATIVITY

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas …”  It is looking more like Christmas.  For me that means the Nativity is sitting for all to see.  We have had this set since 1965.  One sheep has a broken leg and the manger has a repaired leg, but I figure that is pretty good considering it has gone through six moves.

Do you think the setup looks a bit unusual?  Are you wondering, “Why would Mary put flowers around the nativity?”  As I began to set the Nativity in its place, I thought the fall garland looked good.  Besides, it already had lights.  It was going to stay.  The Nativity was in place.  The lights were strung.  (Don’t ya love those battery lights?).  The family, shepherd, and wise men were in place.

Then I looked at a box with some flowers to be stored.  Oh, those pink flowers were pretty.  It was then that the idea hit me.  Why not?  Next I placed some white flowers.  Then the sprigs of pine branches.  I stepped back and looked.  Perfect.  The wise men were having a conference because they were lost.  The shepherd was on his knees before a baby.  Mary and Joseph were beside the manger.  Jesus was lying in the manger.

Do I have you wondering yet?  What idea hit me?

The minute I added those pink summer flowers, the white spring flowers, and the pine branches to the fall garland the Nativity was complete.  You see, Jesus did not come just for Christmas.  He did not come for the lights or the singing or the candy or the presents.  He did not come for us to work ourselves into exhaustion getting ready for a one day, birthday celebration.  No! Jesus came for so much more.  Jesus came to be with us spring, summer, fall, and winter…..  no matter what season of life we are in.

Enjoy the decorating.  Enjoy the lights, singing, presents, and the birthday cake, but remember Jesus will still be here even after the Nativity is put back in the box.

I wonder what meaning I might find in other decorations.