Come To The Light

It’s actually called Shadowgraphy (or Ombromanie) – that fun thing we do by making shadow objects on the wall.  It can be traced back to the 18^th Century although the idea is likely much older. Shadow puppets of Indonesia were being performed around 850 AD and in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). 

 

Jesus Christ dispelled the shadow!  In Hebrews 8 we read how the priests offered gifts according to the law and those offerings served as a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” (8:4).  The Greek word skia occurs 7 times in the New Testament, and it means shade caused by the interception of light. The one indisputable way to dispel a shadow is with light.  John wrote, “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” (John 1:4).  How was light presented to the world?  “The True Light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:9). The light John wrote about was Jesus – the “… Light of the world” and whoever follows Him “will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8;12).  This is how Light appeared to the world – the birth of Christ; He is how God came to dwell among us – our Emmanuel – fulfilling God’s ultimate purpose: to provide the perfect and final offering to save for sin.  Therein is the Christmas message! “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome It.” (John 1:5).  Painters and photographers seek out the best and purest of light for their work; Jesus is the best and purest of light!  Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to The Father except through Me.” (John 14:6).  If you are living in the shadows of life, there is no reason to do so.  The Light of Christmas is come … and He came for you.  There’s no better time than now to come to the Light.  May it be so for you, my friend.

Embrace His Fragrance

The sense of smell is powerful.  My grandmother's antique bedroom suit  fills my guest room.  The best part is how I walk into the room, close my eyes, and the fragrance takes me back to Nanny's where I spent many childhood nights.  Ummm, what a delight!

 

Have you considered the smells of the nativity: freshly tossed straw for the animals, wood burning in hearths around the city, baked bread, fresh fruit, newly pressed wine.  In the midst of the common appears the uncommon . . . "good tidings of great joy . . . a Savior . . . Christ the Lord . . . peace . . . good will toward men."  (Luke 2:10,11,14).  Yes, Jesus quietly and humbly came and remains is all those things to us even today. Sadly, Bethlehem has become an icon likened to the North Pole, and its significance overlooked in the otherwise sensations of the season.  When was the last time you pondered the manger and its divine Treasure, bowing your heart in honor?  Now is the time, the season to revisit Bethlehem and see the "Savior which is Christ the Lord."  Embrace His fragrance!

Your Jesus

One of Danny's high school teachers said something to me I will never forget: "I do not want my students to just regurgitate answers on tests."  I get it, and she made her point mostly with the word regurgitate.

 

What is Jesus to you?  That question deserves way-more than a quick automated -- a regurgitated -- answer.  Nonetheless, that's usually how we answer.  Those auto-answers may well be correct: to save us from our sins – yes, to pay our sin debt – yes, to give us eternal hope and a place in heaven – yes. All good answers, but consider [if you will] just how personal Christ is in your day-to-day, moment-to-moment. "More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." (Romans 5:11).  You see, real Christianity will show just how real Christ is in our lives.  As much as we understand and have experienced of that verse is really what Jesus is to us.  Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4 that God has “shone in our hearts … in the face of Jesus Christ.” (V.6).  Very simply, our lives will not reflect Godliness if we don't know Christ – that is, have a personal relationship with Him!  He must be that indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15), radiance of God's glory and exact imprint of The Father (Hebrews 1:3) at the core of our lives.  To know God we must first know Jesus Whom God “hath in these last days spoken unto us [by His Son” (Hebrews 1:2).  If Jesus isn't real – a vital part – in our day-to-day and moment-to-moment, we have work to do!  Let’s visit our Bethlehem this season, and consider the Savior.  Find in Him the Treasure of Christmas!

Wonder of Wonders

Last night was our family Christmas.  What joy, what joy!  Ella sweetly whispered to me several times during the evening, "MomC, when will it be time to open presents?"  I've re-lived the excitement several times today, and each time my heart just giggles!

 

Perhaps one of the most amazing wonders of Jesus' birth is this: the God of the universe in human form.  Nine-month old Natalie Anne's mom had to open all her presents; seventeen-month old Isabelle Grace just wanted the empty bags so her mom had to "rescue" her gifts!  It won't always be so, but for now these little ones needed help.  "The God Who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything." (Acts 17:24-25).  The wise do no forget our God has need of nothing we have.  He already owns everything - gives us all we have - graciously give us more as we have need.  Just think about how many times, while you're reading this, you’ve inhaled and exhaled; every single breath is His alone to give ... His alone to take away.  He needs nothing from us yet-yet-yet there is one thing He wants: our submission.  And why? Because He loves us intensely and deeply, and desperately wants to be our Provider, Protector, Comforter, our Sustainer.  Imagine how Jesus' mother must have felt to hold Him, even swaddle the infant Creator, knowing He would ultimately provide for, protect, comfort, sustain … redeem her.  It’s no surprise she sang, "My soul magnifies the Lord." (Luke 1:46).  Will we magnify Him in our lives – this Wonder of all wonders!  Oh, may it be so!

My Enough

Have you had enough of Christmas yet?  Surely, it’s getting close to enough … if not already! 

 

Praise be to The Father -- Jesus is enough!  He was enough for the shepherds to leave their fields.  He was enough for the magi to leave their homes.  He was enough for Mary to be at peace giving birth in a cave and lying her child in a niche in the rock.  He was enough for Joseph to honor his betrothed. He was enough for Elizabeth's joy as her child leaped within her.  John wrote, Jesus was with God and He was God (John 1:1).  In Christ – God’s revelation of Himself – is enough of all the heart and soul needs and longs for.  Jesus is my Beloved – the One my heart loves (Song of Solomon 3:4).  Jesus is my Beloved One and my Beloved One is mine (Song of Solomon 6:3).  Oh, joy!  I will rest in Him – He is my Enough! 

Enjoy Him

The closest [I suppose] I’ve ever come to a real treasure map is in a scavenger hunt.  I must admit, however, I’ve needed a map from time-to-time to locate Christmas gifts I’ve put away in a “safe place.”

 

A Christmas favorite is Matthew’s account of the magi and their trek from the East to Bethlehem.  No manger scene is complete without the wise men, their camels, and gifts … although I understand these otherwise wise men have gone “missing” from Ella’s and Caleb’s nativity.  Actually we can confirm very little about the magi – how many there were or how long and far they traveled or even how old the child Jesus was when they arrived.  Nonetheless, these men are key figures in the account of the Savior’s appearance. "And going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11).  From this verse, we do know they came bearing expensive and precious gifts.  It's wise of us to note, however, we do not serve nor worship a "needy" King.  He arrived with all the heavenly gifts we would need!  So why offer Him gifts?  John Piper suggests that when we offer [gifts] to Christ, it’s our way of saying to Him, "The joy that I pursue is not the hope of getting rich with things from You. I have not come to You for Your things but for Yourself. And this desire I now intensify and demonstrate by giving up things in the hope of enjoying You more, not the things. By giving to You what you do not need and what I might enjoy, I am saying more earnestly and more authentically, 'You are my Treasure, not these things.”  You see, any gift we bring isn't near-enough or precious-enough for the Treasure we have in Jesus Christ.  One of the first Westminster catechisms describes that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  Enjoy Him – what Matthew describes is the wise men enjoying Jesus.  What a beautiful picture and model for us this Christmas Season.  Enjoy Him!

Wrapped

Gift-wrapping is a project for me.  My immediate and extended family actually exchange fewer gifts now, but with the Grands … well, it’s a sweet gift explosion!

 

Dr. Luke uses that intriguing Christmas word, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7).  One of my precious daughter-in-loves has taken on my gift-wrapping project this year!  What a blessing!  As Believers, we cannot fully appreciate all wrapped in those simple cloths that Bethlehem night.  Here’s a few descriptions given in Scripture: Almighty One (Rev 1:8), Bread of Life (John 6:35), Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14), Deliverer (1 Thess 1:10), Good Shepherd (John 10:11), I Am (John 8:58), Light of the World (John 8:12), Savior (Luke 2:11), Mighty One (Isaiah 60:16), Our Hope (1 Timothy 1:1), Peace (Eph 2:14), Redeemer (Job 19:25), Son of the Most High (Luke 1:32), The Word (John 1:1) – oh, and there’s many more!  Especially relevant to this gift-giving season, Paul writes, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift." (2 Cor 9:15).  A gift that cannot even be adequately described!  Jesus – God’s Indescribable Gift to man!  Jesus – King of all kings, Lord of all lords, Gift of all gifts … descended from heaven, presented to man in human form, sweetly and tenderly wrapped.  This should bring a new dimension, new meaning to any wrapping project!  Ponder this while you’re wrapping this season!

Peace Himself

Don’t you just hate pretenders!  How disappointing to feel totally comfortable with someone only to learn they aren’t real.  When Mr. Bill’s dad retired from the USAF and

Bill joined the youth group at church, us teenagers didn’t know what to make of hm.  After we got past the kinky hair and goofy glasses, we found he wasn’t so bad.  Also, it helped he had a cool car!

 

The Prophet Isaiah introduced The Messiah: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given … and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (9:6).  Today, words are cheap and easy: promises are spoken then forgotten, and yes doesn’t really mean yes.  There is One Who is all and more.  He is The Word – “In the beginning was The Word and The Word was with God, and The Word was God … And The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His Glory, the Glory as of The Only Begotten of The Father, full of Grace and Truth.” (John 1, 14).  The Word’s words are never passing or trivial, through Them He offers complete rest for the human soul.  He isn’t like peace -- He IS Peace – Himself Peace.  Scientists tell us at the center of a hurricane is calm weather, even clear skies – the eye.  You think the mall is nuts right now?  Bethlehem was crazy with the census at the time of Jesus’ birth.  Joseph and Mary didn’t just need a room – they needed peace.  That’s exactly what arrived in that small-yet-wild town, and just as Isaiah said, The Prince of Peace came to fulfill His words “Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give unto you” (John 14:27).  I shared this with a friend just a few minutes ago: why not crawl up into the manger and find Peace Himself waiting to settle your spirit with His Spirit.  For certain, we’ll find it to be the sweetest of all places this Season … and beyond.

Draw Near

We all have places of comfort.  One of Mr. Bill’s comfort zones is when he is shore-fishing although the time he spends restringing reels and getting all his stuff together … well, just tires me out!

 

Our relationship with The Father is always threatened by idleness.  To be idle is to be still, at leisure, or unoccupied, which is great on vacation but [spiritually speaking] it’s certain destruction.  In Matthew 2:1-2, I find the acts of the “wise men” amazing: they were not given to idleness!  Watching the heavens seems to have been what they faithfully did and when “His Star” appeared, they hit the road!  We don’t know how many men there were or even their mode of transportation, but we know this: His Star drew them to worship The Messiah.  The real danger of this Season (and life in general) is Believers become idle star-gazers.  There are so many distractions: shopping, decorating, cooking, music, twinkling lights.  When we become spiritually idle, the result is spiritual leanness.  Just like His Star drew those wise men from their routine, The Father draws us through His Word and by the power of His Spirit; our duty then is to hear and respond submissively.  The wise men’s journey didn’t end at Bethlehem; no, it took on new direction and dimension – their lives were never the same.  They’d been in the Presence of The King!  Yes, Mr. Bill understands all the work involved but it’s worth it just to stand there at the water’s edge.   I challenge us all to endeavor to persevere in simple obedience to Christ and suffer not the mind and spirit.  Rather, be delivered to a place where we are ever-changing.  Do not be idle – draw near to Christ!

Reign of Peace

“If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” – not this girl! Might as well throw up your hands or wave the white flag of surrender or shout, "I give up" or "You win."  None of that sounds

appealing to me!

 

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Man is a monster when once his blood is up.”  The term "mama bear" is an adequate description of any mother when someone messes with her children!  We see rage in the streets and incessant spewing of harsh words between men; oh, what would it be like to have peace on earth and live in harmony with one another?  How relevant then and now that Jesus brings calm in midst of chaos, “… and His Name shall be called … Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6).  This same prophet foretold of a day when, “… nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah 2:4).  Until that day, when Christ returns as King, Christians can know the Joy of Christ’s peaceful reign within their hearts.  Jesus told His followers, “Peace I leave with you; My Peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.” (John 14:27).  Spurgeon adds, “only the Lord Jesus can turn this lion into a lamb,” and it is indeed the Prince of Peace that stills anxious hearts, settles fearful souls, and calms troubled minds.  Let us meet the Prince of Peace at His manger, bow hearts and minds unto Him, and know His Reign of Peace within.  Now, THAT sounds appealing!

Christmas Truth

No one likes to hear these words: “I told you so.”  I’m not sure just what it is about those words, but they have great potential to get me riled, or as Mr. Bill says, to “wake up Hester” – that other personality who is not so nice! 

 

Piper makes this statement: “Christmas means God is truthful.”  What those words “I told you so” really mean is you were wrong, I was right, nana nana boo boo.  While that response is anything but gracious, the resulting truth is exposed and confirmed.  Peter reminds us what God said through Moses and the prophets that came after him, “… A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you …” (Acts 3:22). The prophet Peter spoke of was Jesus, and His birth in Bethlehem confirmed the truthfulness of God.  God showed us what He told us!  We know from Scripture God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), God keeps His promises (Deuteronomy 7:9), and God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9).  Jesus was Savior and Messiah, as prophesied – as foretold – as promised!  The truthfulness of Almighty God - what a beautiful Christmas blessing!

Our Blessing

This is the season of giving and receiving gifts.  Let's face it, although appreciative, some gifts received fall into the what-do-I-do-with-this category.  Other gifts, however, seem to bring endless joy!  Many years ago, a friend gave me a simple wooden block calendar and [no joke] I use it every day.  Now, that’s a gift that just keeps on giving!

 

Jesus is The Father's Gift to man.  Consider the blessing of this Gift: to redeem us, give us eternal life, model righteous living.  “Unto you first God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” (Acts 3:26).  God sent Jesus to bless us!  That word bless in the Greek, referring to what God does, means to pour favor upon. Jesus, the Son of God Who was born in Bethlehem, was The Father pouring His favor upon us!  Furthermore, the blessing we have in Jesus is ongoing, endless, never stops giving, and It never fails.  Also many years ago, that same friend gave me a sweater and, when I wear a sweater, that’s the sweater I wear; she knows me well, and bought the gift with me in mind!  No one knows me better than my heavenly Father: He knows my name (Isaiah 43:1), He knows my weaknesses (Psalm 103:14), He knows how many hairs are on my head (Luke 12:7), and my name is engraved on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16).  You see, The Father knew [before the foundation of the world] I would need a Savior, and He knew I would need Power outside of my own to live in love and faithfulness to Him.  The Christ Child we celebrate this Season is the Gift-of-all-gifts: God’s perfect Gift to each of us, and the Gift continues to change lives today.  Let us rejoice in The Father's blessing of Jesus!

 

God's Glory

Have you ever watched the show “Hoarders?”  Oh my!  I’ve seen it only a few times and it was enough!  The amount of stuff packed-and-stacked was unbelievable.  My friend DeeDee said when she watched the show, it made her feel so much better about the clutter in her house. I agree!

 

Have you ever asked God to show you His Glory?  Moses did: “I pray You, show me Your glory!” (Exodus 33:18), and God did just that!  Jesus came to earth in the flesh to be God’s Salvation of man, and [in the process] revealed glorious things about The Father.  John 1:14 says, "“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His Glory, Glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." The multitude of heavenly host got straight to what they had to say about Bethlehem's Babe: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." (Luke 2:14).  Piper writes, "God is passionate about God's Glory."  The angels were passionate about God’s Glory and so is God Himself passionate about His Glory. It pleases Him to reveal-share the fullness of Himself with those who genuinely love Him and diligently seek Him; we do this not by a casual but rather a personal intimate relationship with God’s Son, Jesus Christ.  It seems the nature of hoarders to collect stuff for themselves, sharing with no one.  In contrast, the fullness of God's Glory - Jesus Christ, full of grace and truth - has been made known to men.  To God be the Glory, great things He has done!  O, come let us adore Him!

Personal Christmas

Do you like abstract?  Not everyone likes the in-general, undefined, conceptual but I do.  Some writers write in abstract, painters paint abstract art, and speakers speak abstractly.  I’ve learned, however, abstract doesn’t work well with Mr. Bill.  He needs me to be specific, detailed, and sometimes to use crayon.

 

Few of us will move through this Season without hearing why Jesus was born in Bethlehem: to save people from their sins.  That’s a good and true general answer, but let’s be more specific.  John writes, “You know that He appeared in order to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.” (1 John 3:5). Breaking Jesus’ appearance down even further, John continues, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” (V.8).  There we have it – Jesus came to take away sins and destroy the works of the devil.  How does this apply to you, to me?  I can’t answer that question for you – only you can – but [for me] – yes, yes, yes it does!  In this framework, this Season with all its crazies and busyness, takes on new meaning.  In his Advent devotional, The Dawning of Indestructible Joy, John Piper makes this statement: “Don’t leave Christmas in the abstract.”  The Apostle Paul wrote in the very personal first person, “The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20).  For the Christian, there’s absolutely nothing abstract about Christmas: if you’re born-again, the personal Savior was born in Bethlehem.  If He is personal to you, then Christmas is personal!  The next time you say or write “Merry Christmas,” remember it’s merry because it’s personal.

Enchanted

The Enchanted Forest Theme Park in Ellicott, Maryland was a dreamland for little ones!  It featured a fairy tale buildings and characters, track rides through the Alice in Wonderland with teacup-shaped cars, a Cinderella castle ride with mouse-shaped cars, and a JungleLand Safari driven by Land Rover-type vehicles.  It was twenty acres of sheer delight for families!

 

What enchants you most?  Now, there’s a question!  I read somewhere if you want to see what your passions are, look at your checkbook register.  Speaking of earthly and heavenly treasures, Jesus put it plainly: “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).  To be enchanted is to feel great pleasure or delight.  In contrast, the word disenchanted is to be disappointed by someone or by something previously respected or admired and to become disillusioned.  Most of us can testify that things such as money, position, relationship, etc. may bring fleeting joy and satisfaction but their seasons expire.  The root cause of most disillusions is [none other than] foolish faith in world illusions.  Today, the Enchanted Forest is closed; its building and rides abandoned or demolished, and the park is no longer home to children’s delight. That’s the way of worldly enchantments, and it’s exactly John’s point: “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the Glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44).  The season is right for real treasure – treasure laid up where “neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:20).  Man’s delight, his passion, his treasure, his enchantment must be in Christ Jesus – Him alone, the One and Only Son of God!  So consider what enchants you most.  May we be disenchanted with worldly treasures and instead enchanted with Christ – the Treasure – He Whom we celebrate this season!

Great Beginning

We have so many family pictures!  Way too many of them aren’t so flattering, and are best kept in a box in the back of the closet.  Among those most treasured and guarded are those taken by someone else and of people I never knew!

 

The Gospel of Matthew, first book of the New Testament, has a great beginning: the genealogy of Jesus.  I do acknowledge Chapter 1 is packed with difficult-to-pronounce names and is probably one of the least read chapters in the Bible. Nonetheless, it’s one of my favorites. How beautiful to read the Messiah’s family tree!  Verses 1-17 affirm Old Testament prophecy, detailing Jesus’ biological and Jewish ancestry.  Verses 18-25, however, make absolutely clear Jesus’ divine lineage: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:18).  Be sure to see this: Matthew confirms that Jesus was Divinely conceived – like no other human – Jesus, the One and Only has such a [beautiful] genealogy!  I challenge and encourage you – be inspired to read Matthew 1 – yes, the names and all; read it slowly and attentively and see how amazing is the Savior’s lineage.  I just love where Matthew began his Gospel, and I can think of no better place to begin this Advent. Let the Season begin!