Advent, Part 5

Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV-UK)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, for this is what the prophet has written:

'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him. After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

I read a verse this morning, which I think ties in.

Luke 7:23 (words of Jesus): And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.

Jesus said and did many things which, intentionally or not, revealed the condition of people’s hearts. Some people were humble and were willing to accept his compassion and conviction, and so loved him and were willing to follow him. These souls took no offense at Jesus. Many more rejected his conviction and compassion, wanting instead to stand on their own two feet and be right in- and of-themselves. Such people took great offense at Jesus.

Both kinds of people are present in this story, even though Jesus at this time is only an infant.

The Magi from the east, and Mary, and Joseph are all willing to accept Jesus.

King Herod, the people of Jerusalem, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law all took offense at Jesus. Those were all the people who were someone.

Am I humble enough to accept Jesus for Who He is? Am I willing to take no offense even when my human nature bristles at His conviction and even at His gentle mercies?

Advent, Part 4

Luke 2:1-16 (Contemporary English Version)

About that time Emperor Augustus gave orders for the names of all the people to be listed in record books. These first records were made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to go to their own hometown to be listed. So Joseph had to leave Nazareth in Galilee and go to Bethlehem in Judea. Long ago Bethlehem had been King David's hometown, and Joseph went there because he was from David's family.

Mary was engaged to Joseph and traveled with him to Bethlehem. She was soon going to have a baby, and while they were there, she gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn.

That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord's glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said, "Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David's hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay."

Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said:

"Praise God in heaven!

Peace on earth to everyone

who pleases God."

After the angels had left and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about." They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and they saw the baby lying on a bed of hay.

v. 9: All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened.

These shepherds received a pretty spectacular message. And they acted on it. Immediately.

v. 15b-16a: Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about. They hurried off...

The shepherds:

1. were overwhelmed by the amazing message from God.
2. immediately went to Jesus
3. told other people about God’s message.

This would not have happened unless their hearts were already soft and turned heaven-ward, and if they were not simple and childlike in their faith toward God. Lord, I try to over-think things and am double-minded toward so many things. How can I develop a childlike trust toward the Lord?

v. 20: As the shepherds returned to their sheep, they were praising God and saying wonderful things about him. Everything they had seen and heard was just as the angel had said.

I want to make that my attitude, too, because I have heard and seen so much, really, every day, which brings glory to God.

And then the Scriptures mention two prophets:

Simeon. He was righteous, devout, and looking forward to the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit rested on him.

Anna. She was a prophetess who never left the Temple. She worshipped day and night. With prayer and fasting.

These are the characteristics of people who love God deeply.