At a winter retreat in northern New England, one of the men asked the question, " what was your favorite Christmas gift ever?"
One athletic man seemed eager to answer. " That's easy," he said, glancing at his friend next to him. " A few years back, I finished college thinking I was a sure bet to play professional football. When it didn't happen, I was angry. Bitterness ate at me, and I shared that bitterness with anyone who tried to help me.
" During my second season without football, I went to a Christmas play at this guy's church," he said, gesturing toward a friend. " Not because I wanted Jesus, but just to see my niece in her Christmas pageant. It's hard to describe what happened because it sounds silly, but right in the middle of that play, I felt like I needed to be with those shepherds and angels meeting Jesus. When that crowd finished singing ' Silent Night,' I just sat there weeping.
" I got my best Christmas present ever that very night," he said, again pointing to his friend, " when this guy sent his family home without him so he could tell me how to meet Jesus."
This Christmas, may the joyful simplicity of the story of Jesus's birth stir our hearts to want to know Him.
The best Christmas gift is Jesus bringing peace and forgiveness to us.
1 Chronicles 16:8-13
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Israel, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Surround Sound
Walt Disney Studios was the first to introduce a new concept in listening to movies. It was called " stereophonic sound" or surround sound, and it was developed because producers wanted the movie going audience to hear the music in a new way.
But this wasn't the first use of " surround sound." Thousands of years earlier, Nehemiah introduced the idea at the dedication of the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem. " I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall," he explained. " I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks." ( Nehemiah 12:31) The two choirs began at the southern part of the wall, at the Dung Gate. One went to the left, one went to the right, and they surrounded the city of Jerusalem in praise as they marched toward the temple.
The choirs led the people in rejoicing because " God had given them great joy". In fact, their rejoicing " could be heard far away"
Their praise resulted from God's help as the people overcame the opposition of enemies like Sanballat and rebuilt the wall. What has God given us that causes our joy to overflow into praise? God's clear direction in our lives? The comfort He alone can provide in times of trouble? Or our ultimate gift: salvation?
Perhaps we can't create " surround sound" with our praise, but we can rejoice in the joy God has given us. Then others can hear us praise God and see how He works.
We praise You, O Lord-with words, with song, and with our lives. We offer You our hearts in response to Your great power, loving provision, and constant care.
We can never praise Jesus too much!
But this wasn't the first use of " surround sound." Thousands of years earlier, Nehemiah introduced the idea at the dedication of the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem. " I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall," he explained. " I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks." ( Nehemiah 12:31) The two choirs began at the southern part of the wall, at the Dung Gate. One went to the left, one went to the right, and they surrounded the city of Jerusalem in praise as they marched toward the temple.
The choirs led the people in rejoicing because " God had given them great joy". In fact, their rejoicing " could be heard far away"
Their praise resulted from God's help as the people overcame the opposition of enemies like Sanballat and rebuilt the wall. What has God given us that causes our joy to overflow into praise? God's clear direction in our lives? The comfort He alone can provide in times of trouble? Or our ultimate gift: salvation?
Perhaps we can't create " surround sound" with our praise, but we can rejoice in the joy God has given us. Then others can hear us praise God and see how He works.
We praise You, O Lord-with words, with song, and with our lives. We offer You our hearts in response to Your great power, loving provision, and constant care.
We can never praise Jesus too much!
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
A Ukrainian Christmas
The people of Ukraine include many wonderful elements in their observance of Christmas. Sometimes wisps of hay are placed on the dinner table as a reminder of the Bethlehem manger. Another portion of their celebration echoes the events of the night when the Savior entered the world. A Christmas prayer is offered, and the the father in the household gives the greeting. " Christ is born!" The family then responds, " Let us glorify Him!"
These words draw our mind to the appearance of the angels in the sky over Bethelhem on the night Christ was born. The angel of the Lord declared, " The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!" ( Luke 2:11). The heavenly host responded, " Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
Those twin messages give such depth of meaning to this wonderful time of year. The Savior has come bringing forgiveness and hope-and He is deserving of all the worship we can give Him.
Glory to God in the highest!
The spectacular glory of God's love for us was revealed in the coming of Jesus.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. " Don't be afraid!" he said. " I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God and saying, " Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
( Luke 2:6-14)
These words draw our mind to the appearance of the angels in the sky over Bethelhem on the night Christ was born. The angel of the Lord declared, " The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!" ( Luke 2:11). The heavenly host responded, " Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
Those twin messages give such depth of meaning to this wonderful time of year. The Savior has come bringing forgiveness and hope-and He is deserving of all the worship we can give Him.
Glory to God in the highest!
The spectacular glory of God's love for us was revealed in the coming of Jesus.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. " Don't be afraid!" he said. " I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God and saying, " Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
( Luke 2:6-14)
Beautiful Unity
Seeing three large predatory animals cuddle and play together is extremely unusual. Yet this is precisely what happens daily in an animal sanctuary in Georgia. In 2001, after months of neglect and abuse, a lion, a Bengal tiger, and a black bear were rescued by Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary. " We could have seperated them," said the assistant director. " But since they came as a kind of family, we decided to keep them together." The trio had found comfort in each other during their time of mistreatment, and, despite their differences, they live peacefully together.
Unity is a beautiful thing. But the unity Paul wrote about in his letter to the believers in Ephesus is unique. Paul encouraged the Ephesians to live up to their calling as members of one body in Christ. ( Ephesians 4:4-5) By the power of the Holy Spirit they would be able to live in unity as they developed humility, gentleness, and patience. These attitudes also allow us to lovingly bear " with one another in love" through the common ground we have in Christ Jesus.
Despite our differences, as members of the family of God we have been reconciled to Him through the death of our Savior and reconciled to each other through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Heavenly Father, help me to grow in gentleness and patience toward others. Show me how to love others, even when we may have differences.
We keep unity by being united in the Spirit.
Unity is a beautiful thing. But the unity Paul wrote about in his letter to the believers in Ephesus is unique. Paul encouraged the Ephesians to live up to their calling as members of one body in Christ. ( Ephesians 4:4-5) By the power of the Holy Spirit they would be able to live in unity as they developed humility, gentleness, and patience. These attitudes also allow us to lovingly bear " with one another in love" through the common ground we have in Christ Jesus.
Despite our differences, as members of the family of God we have been reconciled to Him through the death of our Savior and reconciled to each other through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Heavenly Father, help me to grow in gentleness and patience toward others. Show me how to love others, even when we may have differences.
We keep unity by being united in the Spirit.
Monday, December 5, 2016
Immanuel
I was talking with a friend who is newlywed and can't wait to be a parent. He and his wife are planning and praying for a baby. They already have names picked out-and my friend's wife isn't even pregnant!
In 735 BC the prophet Isaiah prophesied to the spiritually struggling nation of Judah: " The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel ( which means ' God is with us') ( Isaiah 7:14). Jesus was named some 730 years before He was born!
I have heard it said that all the truths of Christmas can be stated in just three words: " God with us." We tend to focus our attention at Christmastime on the human birth of Christ. But the greater focus should be on His deity-who He really is- " God with us."
Immanuel means that we're not isolated from a God who sits on some distant throne. He came to be with us. He had human skin and wore human clothes. When Joseph and Mary called their son by name, it was a reminder that God was in the house-literally living under the same roof.
Are you alone? Feeling afraid? Have you felt that God is far off, somberly watching you from a distance? The message of Christmas is that you don't need to be alone anymore, for Jesus has come. Immanuel. God with us.
Immanuel-God with us!
Isaiah 7:10-14
Later, the Lord sent this message to King Ahaz: " Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make as the place of the dead."
But the king refused. " No," he said, " I will not test the Lord like that."
Then Isaiah said, " Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn't it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel ( which means ' God with us')."
In 735 BC the prophet Isaiah prophesied to the spiritually struggling nation of Judah: " The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel ( which means ' God is with us') ( Isaiah 7:14). Jesus was named some 730 years before He was born!
I have heard it said that all the truths of Christmas can be stated in just three words: " God with us." We tend to focus our attention at Christmastime on the human birth of Christ. But the greater focus should be on His deity-who He really is- " God with us."
Immanuel means that we're not isolated from a God who sits on some distant throne. He came to be with us. He had human skin and wore human clothes. When Joseph and Mary called their son by name, it was a reminder that God was in the house-literally living under the same roof.
Are you alone? Feeling afraid? Have you felt that God is far off, somberly watching you from a distance? The message of Christmas is that you don't need to be alone anymore, for Jesus has come. Immanuel. God with us.
Immanuel-God with us!
Isaiah 7:10-14
Later, the Lord sent this message to King Ahaz: " Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make as the place of the dead."
But the king refused. " No," he said, " I will not test the Lord like that."
Then Isaiah said, " Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn't it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel ( which means ' God with us')."
Christmas Lights
Each year for several weeks around Christmas, Singapore's tourist belt, Orchard Road, is transformed into a wonderland of lights and colors. This light-up is designed to attract tourists to spend their money at the many stores along the street during this " golden month of business."Shoppers come to enjoy the festivities, listen to choirs sing familiar Christmas carols, and watch performers entertain.
The first Christmas " light-up" ever was not created by electrical cables, glitter, and neon lights but by " the glory of the Lord [ that] shone around" ( Luke 2:9). No tourists saw it, just a few simple shepherds out in their field. And it was followed by an unexpected rendition of " Glory to God in the Highest" by an angelic choir.
THe shepherds went to Bethlehem to see if what the angels said was true. After they had confirmed it, they could not keep to themselves what they had heard and seen. " When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child."
Many of us have heard the Christmas story often. This Christmas, why not share the good news with others that Christ-"the light of the world"- has come.
Lord, help me this Christmas to reflect the light of Your presence and goodness to others.
The gift of God's love in us can bring light to any darkness.
The first Christmas " light-up" ever was not created by electrical cables, glitter, and neon lights but by " the glory of the Lord [ that] shone around" ( Luke 2:9). No tourists saw it, just a few simple shepherds out in their field. And it was followed by an unexpected rendition of " Glory to God in the Highest" by an angelic choir.
THe shepherds went to Bethlehem to see if what the angels said was true. After they had confirmed it, they could not keep to themselves what they had heard and seen. " When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child."
Many of us have heard the Christmas story often. This Christmas, why not share the good news with others that Christ-"the light of the world"- has come.
Lord, help me this Christmas to reflect the light of Your presence and goodness to others.
The gift of God's love in us can bring light to any darkness.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
The Christ of Christmas
Christmas is wet in Signapore. It doesn't snow; it rains. Growing up in a non-Christian family, we didn't celebrate Christmas. But when I was young, my siblings and I, together with a few neighborhood kids, decided to have a Christmas gift exchange. I don't know where we got the idea-maybe from all the TV shows we'd been watchinf. We put our names into a bag, and each of us picked the name of someone to buy a present for. Some of us were happy with the gifts we received, some of us were not; but we were all glad to have recieved presents.
We didn't realize the perfect gift had been given to us 2,000 years ago by God our Creator. The Bible tells us, " For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son." ( John 3:16) When I was a teenager, I heard about this gift and accepted Jesus as my Savior.
I remember celebrating my first Christmas as a believer in Christ. Christmas was special now because I finally understood it's meaning-it's a celebration of God's perfect gift, there; He is a personal God who loves people of all nations and socioeconomic classes. And this personal God expressed His love for me by dying for me.
During this festive season- and always-may we continue to fix our eyes on the Christ of Christmas.
At Bethlehem, God demonstrated that to love is to give.
John 3:16
" For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
There is no judgement against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.
We didn't realize the perfect gift had been given to us 2,000 years ago by God our Creator. The Bible tells us, " For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son." ( John 3:16) When I was a teenager, I heard about this gift and accepted Jesus as my Savior.
I remember celebrating my first Christmas as a believer in Christ. Christmas was special now because I finally understood it's meaning-it's a celebration of God's perfect gift, there; He is a personal God who loves people of all nations and socioeconomic classes. And this personal God expressed His love for me by dying for me.
During this festive season- and always-may we continue to fix our eyes on the Christ of Christmas.
At Bethlehem, God demonstrated that to love is to give.
John 3:16
" For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
There is no judgement against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.
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