On the fourth day of Christmas… Dec. 28, 2013

And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." ²⁹ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.”                                 –Luke 1:28-31 (NRSV)

Mary may have been in the middle of her morning chores, probably dreaming about her future, her marriage to Joseph, her life as a wife and mother.  Then God interrupted her plans with a plan of his own.  She would be the one to bear the Messiah, as the angel Gabriel told her (Luke1:26-35).  Mary gave all she had by answering: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (GIVE MORE) 

This way of God proclaiming and guiding was not totally unheard of at this time.  God had used an angel in Jewish history speaking to Daniel and before Mary, Gabriel was sent to Zechariah to announce the birth of a son named John.  Now God was sending his greatest message.  God chose to speak in a sign language that any Jewish person was supposed to understand.  Showing signs of his favor, God dispatches an angelic courier to speak directly to the young shepherds (but not to the chief priests or the elders).  It was the highest witnessing to God’s gift of his Son.  This message set a seal upon this event that made it undeniable.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ¹⁴  "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
                                                                      –Luke 2:13-14 (NRSV)

More angels, a multitude, sent to proclaim clearly that God was offering them peace to be given for the benefit of all!

(LOVE ALL)

God of all peoples, open our hearts to ‘angelic’ messages that guide us to your peace and your love for everyone around us.

On the third day of Christmas… Dec. 27, 2013

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.                     –Luke 2:9-11 (NRSV) 

Hey, what about the star?  There seems to be no mention of a star in Luke’s story, just the angel and the glory of the Lord.  Was the glory of the Lord the light of the star or was the glory a light that was perceived to be a star?  Only in Matthew’s story (2:1-12) do we have a star.  Was it only for the wise men? 

This is an extraordinary thing, this star, and this glory. A spectrum of unapproachable light shown down:  the promised sign foretold in Scripture.  (Numbers 24:17)  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father.  (John 1:14)  Glory is the outshining of the light of Jesus’ grace and truth = Shekinah, the GIFT of LIGHT & PRESENCE.

How many things in life are set as signs meant to get our attention?  Something that is going to impact our life is happening.  We are so busy, frantically running around getting those important things done, that we need a clonk on the head to stop us in our tracks so that we do pay attention. 

So, we see the sign, but how accurately do we interpret it?  Do we wait for the translation from the heavenly hosts?  Do we ask for answers from God?  Do we wait for GPS (Guidance from the Spirit’s Presence) before rushing off to a destination?

In this case, the sign was obvious and probably over-whelming.  There was no choice but to stop what they were about and do as they were led.  [WORSHIP FULLY]

Lord, let me ‘see’ the signs of your presence in my life.  Let me enter into your joy…and never leave it.

On the second day of Christmas… Dec. 26, 2013

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

            ¹⁴ "Glory to God in the highest heaven,

                  and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
                                                                        –Luke 2:8-14 (NRSV)

Can you picture this amazing event?  This was not a surprise that was just revealed, but something that was foretold through the prophets of Israel.  There was to be a Savior born to the people promised through the line of David (Numbers 24:17).  So why was it such a “non-event” to so many who were long awaiting the arrival of their Savior and King?  He was a gift given for all.  [LOVE ALL] 

He was (is) the answer to the questions we ask about God and life’s purpose and also, almost a complete enigma.  

How many presents have you opened, enjoyed and set aside this Christmas?  Will there be many that you will even remember one year from now?  Consider what that first Merry Christmas (Christ’s Festival) must have been like. The greatest present ever to be given to humanity was lying there in that manger, yet few embraced the small child or the meaning behind his miraculous birth.  Is he a present or presence that we can afford to ignore?

What gift did you give Jesus for his birthday? [SPEND LESS]

God of Mystery, open our hearts that we might gladly receive the gift of your love for us first of all, then return the favor…to you and to those with whom we live in this world.

On the first day of Christmas… Dec. 25, 2013

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."...So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.                                          –Luke 2:10-12, 16 (NRSV)

To begin, let us go back to that night in Bethlehem to the quiet stable where our precious Savior was lying in a manger.  There were only three living beings recorded as being present at that time.  That makes Joseph and Mary the only human witnesses to the birth of the Son of God.

Picture the setting, feel the emotions in the air, live for a moment the feelings that Joseph and Mary must have had filling their heads and hearts.  These were poor people not in their home, but strangers in this place.  These were trusting people who believed in God and his promises.  These were good people who went forth into the unknown and were doing the very best that they could do.  They had nothing with them except what they had carried for the trip.  Who was going to be there to help them?  These were young people with hearts for God.  [WORSHIP FULLY]

If we open our minds to the Spiritual thoughts possible at such a miraculous moment we might wonder what it was like to look upon Jesus’ face for the first time and SEE GOD.  Think of the first time they heard the VOICE OF GOD cry through a human throat. “ The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us and we saw his glory...” (John 1:14)

“But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)   Does that impact your head or heart or even drop the bottom out of your stomach?   [GIVE MORE]

God of peace and favor, guide our hearts to receive what you desire to give; the growing presence of Christ in each of us.

On the fourth day of Christmas… Dec. 28, 2013

And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." ²⁹ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.”                             –Luke 1:28-31 (NRSV)

Mary may have been in the middle of her morning chores, probably dreaming about her future, her marriage to Joseph, her life as a wife and mother.  Then God interrupted her plans with a plan of his own.  She would be the one to bear the Messiah, as the angel Gabriel told her (Luke1:26-35).  Mary gave all she had by answering: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (GIVE MORE) 

This way of God proclaiming and guiding was not totally unheard of at this time.  God had used an angel in Jewish history speaking to Daniel and before Mary, Gabriel was sent to Zechariah to announce the birth of a son named John.  Now God was sending his greatest message.  God chose to speak in a sign language that any Jewish person was supposed to understand.  Showing signs of his favor, God dispatches an angelic courier to speak directly to the young shepherds (but not to the chief priests or the elders).  It was the highest witnessing to God’s gift of his Son.  This message set a seal upon this event that made it undeniable.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ¹⁴  "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
                                                                      –Luke 2:13-14 (NRSV)

More angels, a multitude, sent to proclaim clearly that God was offering them peace to be given for the benefit of all!

(LOVE ALL)

God of all peoples, open our hearts to ‘angelic’ messages that guide us to your peace and your love for everyone around us.