And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him:
gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
(Matthew 2:11b)
As this year comes to a close, I take stock of the gifts, graces, and abilities that God has given me and I am thankful for them.
I also thank God for the people around me: loved ones, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
Most of all, I thank God for the love gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. He's the reason for this season. And he seasons our lives with love, joy, peace, and give us hope for the future.
As I consider the costly gifts the wise men gave Him that first Christmas, so long ago, I think, What can I give Him?
There is a story from the mission field in a poor country. A young girl had nothing to give when the offering plate was passed. So she gave herself. She stood in the offering plate, as if to say, "Here I am, Lord. Send me!"
I am willing to stand in the plate today. I am ready to be sent, on a mission, for Him.
He is the Giver.
He is the Gift.
I accept His gift of faith, forgiveness, acceptance, and salvation.
Now I want to pass it on.
This is good news, almost too good to be true.
It's good news, alright.
Good news, too good not to be true!
My wife Chris and I pray God's blessings upon you this Christmas and into the New Year!
On Saturday evening, December 20, we attended the Christmas concert of The Westminster Ringers at Milford Mill United Methodist Church in the Pikesville, MD area.
Here's the director, a Mathematics teacher:
Here is their narrator, who, in the first half of the program, told the story of an old Russian grandmother, or babouschka, who meets the wise men on their way to the Christ child. She's putting on a head scarf to get into her role as the grandmother.
Merry Christmas to All!
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
Those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.
(Isaiah 9:2 NKJV)
I can picture myself sitting with the Bethlehem shepherds, who were trying to watch over their flocks by night. It is dark, no moon at all, even the stars are shrouded by thick clouds. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to keep warm against a cold gust in the winter chill.
Then, suddenly, an angel appears, lighting up the sky with a brilliance, that makes us squint. The angel speaks, calms the startled shepherds, and announces the birth of the Christ child in Bethlehem, who he says is "wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger."
Then the angel disappears. It is all black again. All is calm, but all seems brighter than before. We all turn and run to Bethlehem to see this miracle for ourselves.
Out of breath, we find the stable, the manger, and the couple with their newborn son.
"His name," says the man, Joseph, behind his wife, Mary, "is Jesus."
At first, we are speechless.
Then one of the shepherds finds his tongue. "We were out in the fields, watching over our flocks ..."
Another finds his tongue. "Yes, and a shining angel suddenly appeared to us. We were afraid at first."
Then another speaks. "But the angel went on, calming our fears, and bringing us the good news that ..."
Still another interrupts. "Yes! Good news! Very good news! The best news ever!"
Then the shepherds, as one, say: "A Savior is born who is Christ the Lord!"
For a few minutes, we just stand there. Then one of the shepherds slowly kneels to the ground. We all do the same.
We are there, kneeling before the newborn Christ child, Jesus, our mouths agape, our eyes gazing on the baby's ruddy, sleeping face.
As we kneel before Him, we sense a Presence, a holy Other among us. It is a peaceful, holy, and awesome experience.
Filled with joy, we arise, say our goodbyes and leave.
One of the shepherds then says, "Fellows, I don't know about you, but I'm going house to house and spread this good news. Will you join me?"
All nod, and we fan out, up and down the streets and alleys, telling about the angel, the message, the couple in the stable, the new baby in the manger, and how the night, which once was dark, now glows with the light of God, who has visited us from on high!
We know upon us a Light has shined.
And we are changed.
Forever!
Last evening we walked around a Christmas lights show in York, Pennsylvania.
It was very enjoyable. There were all kinds of shapes and designs and figures of lights. There were families all around, many of them with very young children, just out to enjoy the sights and sounds.
In the oak grove, where the many lights were, there were boom boxes here and there playing Christmas music. Several pavilions, enclosed and heated, were staffed by members of the community, mostly organizations that "give back." In each pavilion there was something to see, such as a train garden, or a group of singers performing. They also each had a working fireplace, a really big one, that was screened and blazing away. Every pavilion also had food and drink, mostly things like popcorn, hot cider, and such.
It only cost $7 to get in per adult. We were walking toward the entrance, where you pay, and a car slowed beside us. The gentleman who was driving asked us if we would like a savings book coupon for a two for one entry to the lights show. Of course, we said yes. And sure enough, it was good at the entrance booth. So we two got in for the price of one! Wasn't that a nice thing to happen to us? We think so.
We were there maybe an hour and a half, walking around, seeing the lights, enjoying the families there, and I took pictures, as always. In the post previous to this one, you can see some of my photos. I had set the camera on a night setting. I was pleased with how they turned out. Not professional pictures, but amateur.
Did you know that the word amateur comes from the same root word as "amore." An amateur is someone who has a love of something. One of my "loves" is photography, especially at this stage in my life. I don't know why that is, it just is.
The Christmas Magic lights show at Rocky Ridge County Park was truly a Winter Wonderland. We will long remember it. If you want to go see it yourself, they're open each night (except Dec. 24 and 25) through the end of the year.
We enjoyed seeing the Christmas Magic Lights Show at Rocky Ridge County Park near York, PA.
This is the show's 25th year!
I went Christmas Shopping at The Markets at Shrewsbury, PA. Here are a few pix I took.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:19 NIV
That first Christmas, in Bethlehem, long ago, an angel of the Lord came to shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
On a silent night, a holy night, on a midnight clear: Christ was born!
Then the holy silence was interrupted by the appearance of the angel of the Lord. The glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds.
Then the Lord's angel announced, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good tidings 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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
They went to Bethlehem to see the miracle for themselves.
They found Joseph and Mary, and the babe, Jesus, lying in a manger, just as the angel had told them.
After they had seen the Christ child, they went and spread the word about Him. All who heard it were amazed!
Back at the manger, a young mother, Mary, just treasured her Child, the Savior of the world, the baby Jesus. She marveled at the shepherds' visit and treasured the priceless Gift that she and all of us had been given that night.
That silent, holy, wondrous night.
When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, Are you the One who was to come, or should we expect someone else? (Matthew 11:2-3)
Sometimes I make a prison for myself. I put myself in prison to a thought or a feeling or an attitude that binds me.
I remember a time when our sons were young and I was not making much money as a pastor of two churches in the countryside. I wrongly thought to myself, I am just working to pay bills. I am on a treadmill. My income is barely sufficient to pay for our basic needs. I am living paycheck to paycheck. I felt like I was in a financial prison. So I prayed about the matter. And here is what the Lord told me.
Darryl, you have it all upside down. There you are, doing what I had called you to do, married to your sweetheart, with three young sons, everyone in good health. Count your blessings, man! So you do not have much money, but look around, fellow! You are free to give yourself to your churches, your wife, your sons, and to Me! Money comes and goes. This time, too, shall pass. Set your mind on things above, rise out of your prison of self-defeat. I will be with you!
A peace came over me from that day. And I learned a valuable lesson: When ever a wrong thought, feeling, or attitude tries to put me in a prison of my own making, I just pray about it. And God shows me how to turn it over and see it from the sunny side, the side of God's blessings, which are all around.
Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?
John the Baptist asked this question of his cousin Jesus. It was an important question to John, because he was at the moment a prisoner of King Herod. He was waiting to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel and his liberty.
Go back and report to John what you see and hear: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.
Jesus preached the same message as John, but with an important twist. Oh yes, Jesus called for repentance, just like John, but He also preached that salvation was possible for all, even sinners, tax collectors, and their loathsome Roman overlords.
Jesus surely cared about his cousin John and wanted to free him from King Herod's prison, but He did not intervene to do that. Oh sure, He could have, but Jesus did not work that way. His kingdom was not of this world. His kingdom would come by invitation and response, not by His own divine power and might.
Take for example Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler. Remember how He said the man lacked one thing? He told the man, Go, sell all you have, give it to the poor, and follow Me. Sadly, the man, who was actually a pretty good guy otherwise, could not do that. So the man walked away, unable to part with his riches and to enjoy being the 13th disciple of Jesus.
Did Jesus then run after the man and let him keep his materialistic god? No, he did not. He just let him go. He simply let him make his own decision. He respected his free will. Jesus did not really care about the man's money, but he did care about the man. He knew that the man's riches had a hold on him and he offered him a once in a life time opportunity to have true liberty!
I like the term being a non-anxious presence. To me it means what Jesus did here, addressing an issue but also showing he cared about the man. He cared enough to offer him a place in His own troupe of disciples. How sad that this man missed his opportunity for real liberation.
There are many who are weak and poor and need rescuing, but this man was not one of them. He was bound in a prison of his own making. He was possessed by his possessions.
How about you, my friend? Are you generously opening your hand to the poor at this Advent Christmas season and throughout the year? Are you still thinking that you can take it with you? Or, are you dedicating all that you are and all that you have to the Master who still invites you to follow Him today?
Jesus is waiting for you to make your choice.
Do it today.
Last Sunday I was traveling back home to Manchester, Maryland. I worshiped that morning at Frostburg United Methodist Church in Frostburg, Western Maryland. This stately church is located at 48 W Main St, Frostburg, MD. The Rev. Rebecca Vardiman is pastor.
The banner on the right celebrates the newness of life we have in Christ.
Here is a beautiful stained glass window in the rear of the church, which is only visible by going into the balcony and turning around to see it.
The thing is, He will not come in unless we open the door from the inside of our experience and life. Notice that the door has no outside doorknob. He will not just come in, whether we invite Him or not. The knock is His and the acceptance and welcoming of Christ belongs to us.
Christ is knocking at the door of your heart today. His work on the Cross stands for all time and eternity, available to all who will believe and follow Him. His Spirit is knocking on the door of our hearts and minds, wanting to come in and lead and teach and guide us through life.
How will you answer his knock?
Behold, God makes all things new.
Behold, Christ stands at the door and knocks, wanting to come in and make His home with us.
On this day after Thanksgiving, God is making an invitation to you to make a new beginning.
Will you accept His invitation?
Do it today.
