The Sunrise

On the second morning as his wife, I was shocked when Mr Bill yanked open the curtains of our 17th floor hotel room and loudly announced, "Sun's shinning in the swamp!"  I'm not sure what terrified me more - the bright light or the "crazy man" who let it in. Zachariah was anticipating The Light: "... the Sunrise (the Messiah) from on high will dawn and visit us ... to guide our feet [in a straight line] into the way of Peace and Serenity." (Luke 1:78b, 79b). Imagine, if you can, the overwhelming gloom Adam and Eve experienced when they were cast from Eden (out of God's Presence). That same darkness exists today. Those who know The Savior personally, however, know well the joy of which Zachariah spoke - the Promised One, the Sunrise, the Messiah. As Zachariah looked forward to The Cross, we look back to The Cross when the full Revelation of God to man - Emmanuel, "God with us," Jesus Christ - shined "upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." (V.79).  Furthermore, we longingly anticipate the Day of His return and our future eternal reign with Him in our real home (heaven).  As 2018 ends and 2019 begins, it is my personal prayer you genuinely know The Sunrise and the Salvation and Hope He brings.  Will you let Him be your Light and Guide in the days to come ... until He comes again. 

Merry Christmas - Blessings and Smiles to you during this Season.

Until Monday, January 7, 2019 ... Miles of Smiles, Beverly

Tender Mercy

Love may be a noun (a person-place-thing) but it is also a verb (an action). In her book The First Songs of Christmas, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth writes, "You have no idea how much God loves you."  "How much" someone loves is most commonly measured by how that love is ultimately expressed or demonstrated. Zachariah captured the motivation of God's sending Jesus to earth, "Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise (the Messiah) from on high will dawn and visit us." (Luke 1:78). The Greek word for "tender" is where we get our English word for spleen - an organ buried deeply inside the body; described also as the "bowels of compassion" (1 John 3:17). Jesus' life on earth was filled with moments such as "His heart went out to her" and "He was moved with compassion" - each time He acted in His compassion. His greatest (and willful) act was on The Cross - fulfilling The Father's will to pay our sin-debt and free us from sin's reign. There, in the midst of the horrors and pain and humiliation of The Cross, is tender mercy. "O the deep, deep love of Jesus - Vast, unmeasured, boundless free - Rolling as a mighty ocean - In its fullness over me - Underneath me, all around me - Is the current of Thy love - Leading onward, leading homeward - To my glorious rest above." (Samuel Trevor Francis). Let us rejoice this Season in God's love expressed in tender mercy.

Look Ahead

It can be a scary thing, I know, but "we all carry inside us people who came before us." (Ian Callahan). This and more are evident in Zachariah's hymn - called the "Benedictus," found in Luke 1; he spoke of past promises and future Blessing: "To show mercy [as He promised] to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant [the promised blessing], the oath which He swore to Abraham our father, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days." (Luke 1:72-75).  Zachariah means "God remembers," and Elizabeth (his wife) means "oath of God," and John (their son) means "the grace of God." The names in this one family tell the Gospel: God's Grace - undeserved and unearned - secured at The Cross in the Person of Jesus Christ. The Season's message is The Cross.  Look ahead, as Zachariah-Elizabeth-John did, and celebrate!

Speak Up

In past years, it seemed to be a common occurrence I would develop something upper respiratory then lose my voice right before the Christmas cantata. What terribly timing! Zacharias was silenced for a period of time because he "questioned" God's message to him about the coming birth of John, his son, John. When Zacharias was finally able to speak, speak-up he did - did he ever! "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited us and brought Redemption to His people, and He has raised up a horn of Salvation for us in the house of David His servant - just as He promised ..." (Luke 1:68-70a). Why do you suppose Christians are so unwilling to give praise to The One Who is Most Merciful and Most Giving?  A priest and knowledgeable of God's words, Zacharias knew God's Promise of One Who would "shine upon those who sit in darkness" (V.79) - Jesus, Messiah!  While there may have been a little stutter-step for Zacharias, he held high the Name of Jehovah as he looked to The Cross - to Jesus, God's Son and Salvation - Redeemer of our Redemption.  How about it: will you speak-up this Season, and tell of His Greatness?  Tell it and tell it with Great Joy!

Consider Jesus

Often I load up my mind with numerous things I can do on the way to doing something else. In my effort to multi-task and save a few steps, it's not unusual [at all] for me to forget the main thing I planned to accomplish!  I suggest we must be careful to see Christmas only as a pre-celebratory moment in light of the greatest moment in our faith. There's nothing wrong with celebrating the Christ Child but to be sure, it is not the all-star event in Christianity.  "Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest Whom we confessed [as ours when we accepted Him as Savior], namely, Jesus." (Hebrews 3:1). The Greek word for "apostle" refers to one who is sent forth with orders. Jesus - One with God The Father and second Person of the Godhead - in full agreement, knew His birth-day must come [as it did].  However, Christ never [not once] forgot why He had come to earth: His face was always toward The Cross. Hebrews 3:2 says, "He [Jesus] was faithful to Him [God] Who appointed Him (Apostle and High Priest] ..." and to that very end we rejoice.  Yes, event at Christmas! Seriously, meditatively and with great joy ... consider Jesus.

Model Faith

What a rainy fall we've had! Day after day of absent sunshine is tough on little ones who love the outdoors.  The four-hundred years of silence from God - between the Old and New Testaments - must have been tough for those who desperately longed for a word from God.  Then, the silence is broken: an angel foretells the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner of The Messiah. A splash of joy - the coming End to sin's rule and reign among men!  Throughout those silent years, many of the Old Testament faithful lived and died, never seeing God's fulfillment of the Promised One.  Can you imagine [then] how amazed Mary was to hear the angel's news of The Son to come; her son would be The One Who would fulfill all God's Promises. Mary ends her song, "He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever." (Luke 1:54-55).  What an amazing faith Mary reveals to us: a faith that draws her to the foot of The Cross. Authentic. Persevering. Rewarding.  Yes, a model faith.

The Satisfying Savior

How I loved my Nanny's homemade fudge, and we only got it at Christmas! You [too] most likely have special delicacies of the Season. Mary sang, "He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty." (Luke 1:53). Her words spoke of a particular hunger: something offering more than temporary satisfaction, outlasting time and space. The psalmist also wrote of such satisfaction: "You will show me the path of Life; in Your Presence is Fullness of joy: in Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11).  Jesus Himself promised, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied." (Matthew 5:6).  Mary sang with Satisfaction, anticipating God's Satisfaction in her son, The Son.  Perhaps as she stood and wept at The Cross, she realized the Fullness of Joy, her [and mankind's] Complete Satisfaction. Are you hungry? If so, for what do you hunger?  Look to The Cross and know the Satisfying Savior.

The Humble Heart

Oh, how we wonder what an unborn baby will look like - whose features he or she will have. Scripture gives us insight into the face of the humble. Mary's humility is evident in her song of Luke 1 as she describes the proud: "He has done mighty deeds with His [powerful] arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and exalted those who were humble." (Luke 1:51-52). Arrogance never suits those who love and fear Sovereign God! Mary knew the ancient words telling of kings and nations and men who stood against Israel and Jehovah: their humiliation and demise. Mary's heart was one of bowed surrender to God Who would even humiliate His own Son on The Cross to bear the sin of men, and yes, even Mary. A prideful heart cannot know the freedom and joy of humility before Almighty God. Like Mary, let us take the humble heart, look to The Cross and be daily crucified with Christ.

Now

It certainly sounds like a good idea but it's really better none of us can look ahead and see the future. As difficult as it is, living in the now is best!  Mary's "now" was certainly alarming - unwed, uneducated, pregnant. Nonetheless, she sang: "For He Who is mighty has done great things for me; and holy is His Name." (Luke 1:49).  Circumstances tend to turn our heads and hearts away from the Almighty Sovereign God. He knows our now is often plagued with hurt and heartache. From her words, Mary's now didn't seem burdensome nor to weigh her down: maybe because she knew the Sovereign Designer of her otherwise alarming now. Perhaps because she'd been living all her life in the Shadow of God's loving care, she knew to trust deeply that only His Best was to come - the suffering and victorious Savior of The Cross. All that threatened her now seemed trivial and passing to the Greatness of The Cross. Like Mary rejoiced, let us likewise take joy in He Who is Mighty - He Who has done great things because Holy is His Name.

Spectacular!

By the world's definition, most of us live a non-spectacular life. That's quite okay by me!  According to Luke 2, so did Mary. It seems this young teenage girl had no claim to wealth or notoriety; listen to her, "For He has looked [with loving care] on the humble state of His maidservant ..." (Luke 2:48a). Mary knew her life would be no longer the same, "... for behold, from now on all generations will count me blessed and happy and favored by God." (Luke 2:48b). Among all large cities and small villages, from all suitable potential prospects, God chose [perhaps] the least likely of women. From that point on, Mary would live within the shadow of The Cross, sacredly holding close her Son -- her Savior. What a picture of every born-again follower of Jesus Christ: within the context of The Cross and the Risen Redeemer - in Christ - we have great promise and potential. There - in Christ - we are evermore spectacular!

Sweetest Celebration

It seems [well] weird to me, but there are those who like to read the ending of a book first. In Luke 2, young Mary sings a song unto the LORD, "My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior." (V.1). Perhaps she recalled similar expressions as read aloud in worship at the synagogue: "Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together!" (Psalm 34:3), and "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy Name!" (Psalm 103:1). How deeply we must admire Mary!  Not just for her humility and submission to The Father but for being a woman of The Word. From the beginning in-and-through the midst of difficult circumstances, her focus remained on God Himself and His Goodness throughout generations. Given what we know of her, I imagine - even in her tremendous grief - Mary yet rejoiced in God as she stood at The Cross, an eye-witness to the finished work of her Savior. Perhaps as she left [with John], once again she sang: "My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior." What tremendous words for this Season! God's plan of redemption is truly amazing - from beginning to end - but The Cross is indeed the sweetest celebration!

Yes

Hearing children say "yes, ma'am" and "no, ma'am" is just plain sweet! The "ma'am" and "sir" don't come naturally; it is learned. The account of Rahab's help in hiding the two Israelite spies reveals something quite remarkable: "Now before the two men lay down [to sleep], Rahab came up to them on the roof, and she said to the men, 'I know that the LORD has given you the land ...'" (Joshua 2:8-9a). The name for Israel's God that Rahab used is Jehovah - the name for the One True God. Now, why would a pagan prostitute use such a distinguishing name for God? Perhaps because He had revealed Himself to her in order to fulfill His purpose for both Israel and for Rahab. You see, despite putting herself and her family in danger, Rahab said "Yes" to God. Not only was Rahab's life spared (as was her family's) in the fall of Jericho, she was blessed beyond her years: she is named in the The Messiah's family: "Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab" (Matthew 1:5). Rahab's belief in and obedience to Jehovah not only saved herself, it helped pave the glorious way to The Cross, thus fulfilling God's Plan of Redemption for mankind. It all started with a humble "Yes."

Be There

There's a commercial that uses the slogan, "Wherever you go, be there more."  A look at my Christmas calendar, the be-there events are a bit much.  Luke 2:6 tells us of Joseph and Mary, "While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth, and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a manger ..." Mary's part - giving birth and swaddling her child - hardly differs from any mother.  Nonetheless, from the angel's visit and foretelling of to the final hours prior to Jesus' birth, Mary was there - faithful, committed - there. After Jesus' birth, Scripture gives us few details of His mother until Jesus' final moments on earth, at The Cross: "So Jesus, seeing His mother, and the disciple whom He loved (esteemed) standing near said to His mother, '[Dear] woman, look [here is] your son!' Then He said to the disciple (John), 'Look! [here is] your mother [protect and provide for her]!' From that hour the disciple took her into his own home." (John 19:26-27). A lifetime - from cradle to cross - Mary was there! A beautiful picture of love and devotion; such is not limited to a mother. Wherever The Savior is, the follower of Christ must be. Let us be careful to remain close to The Cross this Season. Yes, wherever you are, be There!

Christmas Central

It's game-on for the Christmas tradition "Elf on the Shelf." Quite mysteriously, the elf "moves" about unseen and may be spotted in the most inconspicuous locations, causing squeals of delight among children (and adults, so I understand). Also hidden - and sadly lost - among the Season is The Cross of Christ. As early as Genesis, there is evidence of God's Plan to save mankind from the rule of Satan and sin: to the serpent, God said, "And I will put enmity (open hostility) between you and the woman, and between your seed (offspring) and her Seed; He shall [fatally] bruise your head, and you shall [only] bruise His heel." (Genesis 3:15). Indeed, the manger preceded The Cross, and we rejoice in God's plan, at the proper time, "God sent His Son, born of a woman." (Galatians 4:4). What a loving and gracious Father we have! The Cross must be central to our Christmas - therein is The Cause and Greatest Measure of celebration. Make Christmas Central ... The Cross.

Highest Thought

'Tis the Season! Yes - like it or not - it's here. Many [I know] decorated weeks ago!  No doubt, many calendars are already filled with holiday events. It's certainly appropriate every Christian pause early and consider the focus of celebration.  Paul wrote, "But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14). The cross at Christmas time?  Truth is, unless every Believe looks forward toward the cross, there is nothing to celebrate at Christmas! In no way is the coming of the Christ Child minimized, but His birth was a mere means to a greater more glorious end: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent." (John 17:3). Is there a cross among your decorations? Have you yet given seasonal pondering to the finished work of The Messiah? O, be sure: let the cross be our highest thought this Season!