December, 2001 "Christmas Blessings"

Christ's birth is a story of hope and peace - to all ages - a tale from so long ago - and yet so relevant for today and the uncertain times in which we live.

God sent Christ into a world of turmoil and political unrest. It was even a time of state sponsored terrorism - for following the birth of Jesus, King Herod issued a decree that all male children in the land, under the age of two were to be killed. It was his hope to annihilate God's plan - the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, King and Savior. This evil ruler was a tool in the enemy's hands to attempt to thwart God's plan for the salvation of the world. But, the scripture says that Joseph, the chosen earthly father of Jesus, was warned in a dream and he took his family and fled to safety. Yes, God overcame the evil ruler's plot, just as He will overcome the plots of evil against us in our nation and in our lives as we trust Him, turn to Him, and focus on Him.

Hopefully, you are not yet into the holiday exhaustion syndrome complete with credit card overdraft. Oh, I know, there is so much to do, it seems and so little time---making those lists and checking them twice!!! But even so, let us now pause and reflect during the time we have left before Christmas---no, not to think about what we still have left to do!!! But let us give our time and hearts toward reflection upon the One Whose birth we celebrate at this time of year - Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Christ has come to seek and save the lost and to bless those who are His with abundant life. Won't you now receive His Christmas blessings?

The Blessing to Mary

Oh, can you imagine? Mary, a young virgin girl betrothed to marry a man named Joseph, is just hanging out in her hometown of Nazareth of Galilee, when an angel named Gabriel appears to her and says, "Greetings, you who are blessed and highly favored! The Lord is with you." I love the way the Bible puts it. It says that Mary was greatly troubled and wondered….

I can only imagine what it must have been like to be greeted in person by an angel - and I am sure it wasn't one in the same persona as on the show "Touched By An Angel." I am picturing - big, shining and amazingly beautiful - with the voice of heaven that must have penetrated her whole being.

Wow - Mary - chosen by God to bear the Son of God, Jesus, the Messiah!!!

Have you ever noticed in reading the Christmas story, that it was okay for her to ask questions about how it would happen? When the angel responded, he even answered with more than what she asked about. He told her that it would happen by the power of the Holy Spirit, and he encouraged Mary that with God, nothing is impossible. He also told her that her cousin, Elizabeth, who was old and barren, would also have a child. This child was John the Baptist, the one who would prepare the way for the ministry of Jesus.

The Bible doesn't say much about the thoughts that went through Mary's head, but she must have counted the cost - for there is always a cost when we obey God. Her cost: potential loss of her husband, Joseph; being ostracized by her family and society; possibly even, according to the law, being stoned to death. And yet because of her love for God, Mary chose to believe, to yield herself to God and to receive this blessing.

What an amazing story! And what is even more amazing is that we, too, are chosen…just as Mary was chosen…to bear the Son of God. We are chosen to receive the new life of God within us as we are born again.

All we have to do is count the cost, choose and say - as did Mary - "Yes, Lord, I am your servant. Let it be unto me as You have said, according to Your word." When we say "Yes." to the Lord we become carriers of His presence in this world. The Bible says that Jesus was the Word and became flesh. It is His desire to come and tabernacle (become flesh) within us - to come into our hearts and lives and create a new life - a new birth. All of this can happen by the power of the Holy Spirit - if we choose Him. Oh, with the Lord, the blessings always outweigh the costs!!

Can you do that right now and receive this same blessing this Christmas?

The Blessing to Joseph

Joseph, a man who was also chosen by God to be blessed and to become a blessing. He was chosen to be the earthly father of Jesus. And in this he, too, had to count the cost and to make a choice. He was a man who found his betrothed to be with child. Can you imagine the thoughts that went through his head? "Do I reveal this and have Mary stoned to death for her adultery?…to whom do I go for advice? Mary says it is supernatural, but how can that be?" But being a righteous man he did not want to expose her so he decided to divorce her quietly. Ah, what a man - God's choice.

The Bible says that after he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Do not be afraid to take Mary for your wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. You will give her son the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel commanded and took Mary home as his wife, having no union with her until she gave birth to a son.

Yes, he was chosen to nurture, protect, teach and help Jesus grow into the calling and purposes of God. We have the same responsibility. You know with blessing and choice there also comes responsibility. The Bible says that to him who has been given much, much will be required.

When we say yes to God and He places the life of God within us, the seed of faith, the life of Christ and we are born again as His child - we have the responsibility to grow in our faith and nurture the life of God within us. Just as Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man, so are we to do the same. We are not to remain a baby.

How do we nurture and grow the life of Christ within us? Fellowship with other Christians. Spend time reading and studying the Word of God so that you can begin to know God. Take time each day to pray and converse with God, Your Father, and to worship Him for Who He is and what He has done in your life. These things won't just happen. We must make a commitment to Him and make Him our first priority.

Do you desire to receive this same blessing that Joseph received? Just ask the Holy Spirit to help you and commit yourself and your time to that right now.

The Blessing to the Shepherds

Humble, lowly shepherds - not exactly who you or I would have chosen to be the first to hear the news that the Messiah had come. But God chose them. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them and they saw the glory of God shining round about them. They were given the long-awaited message - "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord." They were told they would find Him in a manger, wrapped in cloths.

Then Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."

What a blessing - a fearsome one for sure. Not only did the angel Gabriel appear with the words of God - but he was joined by a great company of angels. How many is a company? I don't know and I cannot even imagine the glorious sight.

After that experience, I am not sure how they even spoke to each other or how they were able to get up and go and find the baby…but they did just as the angel said. Then they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed. They finally returned to their sheep - but they were forever changed and continued to glorify and praise God.

This blessing to the shepherds is ours as well. We are also chosen to see and know the real Jesus. We can experience the revealed glory of God, Himself, in our lives. What is the cost? The shepherds had to leave behind the things of the world to go and find Him. We too must choose whether or not we will make seeking Jesus our first priority.

Not only are we chosen to be blessed with the glory of the presence of God, but we are chosen, just as were the shepherds, to go and spread the good news. God wants to bless us as we take the news of Him, the testimony of Jesus, to the world. The Bible says that all who heard what the shepherds said were amazed. We too can receive the blessing of helping others come to know the living God.

Are you willing to give up worldly treasures in order to seek the living God and to share His love with others? Say yes to the Lord, and receive this blessing in your life right now. He will help you walk it out.

The Blessing To the Kings

Little is known about the wise men who brought gifts to the Christ child. We do know they "came from the east" - possibly from the great eastern civilizations of Mesopotamia, Persia, or Babylonia. They might have even been of the same religion as the Magi, with whom Daniel, the Hebrew prophet, had been associated. They were astrologers and astronomers who studied the stars and followed what was taught them by their ancestors that a new king was being born among the Jews. They wanted to come and pay their respects. So they counted the cost: the expenses of a long, slow journey; the time out of their lives that it took; the wealth that they used to buy and bring gifts for this new king.

When they arrived they discovered that King Herod had no new children. Herod's chief priests and teachers gave them directions to the child from a clear prophecy of Micah, which led them to Bethlehem, where they found Jesus. It amazes me that God can and does use even evil people and circumstances to lead us to Himself, if we will only continue to pursue Him and be diligent in our search.

These men were chosen by God to become the first Gentile worshippers of the Christ. What a blessing to them, to be the first outside of God's chosen people, the Jews, to bring gifts of homage and worship to the true King of Kings. They represented that the whole world would acknowledge and worship Jesus as Messiah and Savior of all mankind.

We are also able to receive the blessing of being chosen and called to seek the King of Kings and to worship Him. Will you decide right now to offer your gifts to Him Who is worthy? Offer Him the gift of your life, your heart, your all and all and your everything. Present yourself in worship to Jesus, not only King of the Jews, but King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As you seek Him, you will find Him. He will lead you to Him, just as He led the Magi to the place of worship.

The Blessing to Us

Yes, we live in trying times. But the message of Christmas is clear. Christ came to live and die and live again. He said, "Let not your hearts be troubled, for in this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."

Yes, all of these blessings are ours in Christ Jesus.

Do you need that hope, peace, comfort and joy that can only come as you are in right standing with God? This is not by anything that you can do, but by the work of Jesus. You just need to believe and receive. "This is eternal life - to know God and Jesus Christ whom God sent into this world." (John 17:3) "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

The kingdom of God is this - righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Righteousness - right standing with God because Jesus paid the penalty for our sin and there is no longer any account of debt against us in heaven. Peace - the rest and comfort in our hearts that comes as we know we will be His forever. Joy - that settled happiness and place of contentment that comes in the fullness of His presence.

Yes, we are chosen to receive the blessing of eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Now that's good news! Just say, "Yes!" to Him now. What a joy!

May you receive all the fullness of God's blessing to you this holiday season.

L.O.V.E.,
Patty

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