The Birth of Christ

Scripture             Luke 2:1-20
Focus Verse        Luke 2:7
And she [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Tonight is the night!  Christ the Savior is born!

Having traveled slowly over these weeks with all of the characters of the story, suddenly ... I realize that Mary must have been terrified to give birth so far away from Elizabeth and her family, all alone with just Joseph and the animals to witness her pain.

And yet, I've been invited to see things a little differently.  And I confess I just love to hear a perspective that blows up my small-minded convictions!.  So ... just the other day (therefore this is an update from the written devotional) I read a fascinating article "Why Everything You Know About the Nativity is probably Wrong" by Sarah Bessey in which she quotes theologian and scholar Kenneth E. Bailey, who says, "Mary was absolutely not alone at the moment of birth. She was almost certainly and absolutely attended by skilled and present women, likely even community midwives."  If you are interested take the link and read the article, which has much more to say about the very subject we've been pondering this Advent.  

Meister Eckhart said, “We are all meant to be mothers of God ... for God is always needing to be born.”  Living the Nativity can be a painful process but also a very beautiful one.

Reflection:  How does God need to be born in your life?  How are you being called to “live the Nativity?”

It is Christmas Eve, and I couldn't choose!  If music is a spiritual pathway for you, listen to "Silent Night" followed by "Joy to the World" sung by Celtic Women Live At The Helix In Dublin, Ireland in 2013.

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”      
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

The Incarnation

Scripture             John 1:1-5, 14       
Focus Verse        John 1:14a
And the Word became flesh and lived among us …

In the incarnation, God drew close to us in a specific and historical way.  We can know the Eternal God of the universe by walking with Jesus, the word made flesh.

But the incarnation isn’t just about a moment in a stable or even just the ~33 years that Jesus lived as “God with us.”  The incarnation is about a God who still wants to be present through those who follow Jesus, the incarnate Word made flesh.  We are not called to simply tell the story of the Nativity, we are called to live it.  

Reflection:  How does knowing that Jesus reveals God to us in such an intimate way invite you to allow God to transform you?  How do you walk with Jesus day by day?

As we contemplate the incarnation, I share with you a song that illuminates the reality that God is always with us.  If music is a pathway for you, listen to "Star Child," a song written by Shirley Erena Murray and arranged by David Haas and sung with a friend. The reality of our world is that there are many among us for whom the joy of Christmas has never been experienced but we sing, we pray, we hope that ... "This year, this year, let the day arrive when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive!"  May it be so!

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”       
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

Living the Nativity with Jesus

Advent is the season of the secret, the secret of the growth of Christ, of Divine Love growing in silence.  It is the season of humility, silence, and growth.  For nine months Christ grew in his mother’s body.  By his own will she formed him from herself, from the simplicity of her daily life. 
~Caryll Houselander, The Reed of God

The Incarnation is the moment when Jesus, the divine Son of the Eternal Father, entered the world as a human baby. God came to humanity through Jesus of Nazareth. 

Something stirs deep within, a memory of a distant harmony, a longing for connection, a feeling of warmth.  Stirred by the twinkling of life, the gathering of friends, the clear, still, and holy night.  Something stirs deep within, a simple story about a baby, a shaking of assumptions and fears, and a God who bends low to be with us.  ~Larry J. Peacock

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, take this link to listen to Homefree sing "O Holy Night."  Also, if you are in town this weekend, be sure to attend the Cantata at Holy Covenant, either at 8:30 or 11 am today.

Our Holy Covenant Christmas Eve Eve Family service is Monday the 23rd at 7 pm.  Our Christmas Eve family service is at 4 pm on Tuesday the 24th.  Our Candlelight & Communion Services are Tuesday the 24th at 7 pm and 11 pm.  We hope to see you at one of our services at Christmas and Beyond! 

Children & Family Activity:  Pick up supplies to create Baby Jesus and Place the Star on the stable. Talk about how the star shined over the place where Jesus was born and how Jesus is the Light of the World.  Talk about Jesus and put him in the manger on Christmas Eve while you share the story of his birth.   This is my last Living the Nativity Set video because we finish when the star is place and the baby is born!  If you want, you could make your three wiseman/wisewoman if you haven't already.  Then you could have them travel until Epiphany when you place them in the Nativity Set.  Have fun and be creative!

The Wisemen

Scripture             Matthew 2:1-12   
Focus Verse        Matthew 2:2
“Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? 
For we observed his star at its rising ...”   

The Wisemen were most likely priestly astrologers from Persia, the area we call Iran today.  Although the Wisemen do not technically belong IN the Nativity scene, they were reading the stars and began their journey at the time of the birth when the star arose over the Baby Jesus so they are on our narrative radar.

Although there is nothing in the text that says there were three wisemen nor does it say they were Kings and likely rich, they did bring 3 expensive gifts to pay homage to the baby King of Israel.  It’s no wonder we envision them that way when we sing “We Three Kings.” 

When we consider that angels were celestial beings, shepherds were of a lowly class and kings of an upper class, we see once again that ALL people, even the saints in heaven, are invited to be residents of the Kingdom of God. 

Reflection:  What does ALL mean to you?   Who do you need to invite into the Kingdom of God and into your heart?

Perhaps my favorite Advent song is "In the Bleak Midwinter."  As I consider alongside angels, shepherds, wisemen ... and all sorts of ordinary and extra-ordinary people like you who Jesus is and how I invite and welcome him into my life by inviting welcoming and inviting and loving the people God loves, this song resonates with me for this IS how I give him my heart.  I especially love this arrangement/performance because it is a Singaporean singer named Corrinne May sitting down in a coffee shop and just playing the piano and singing for the people there.  If music is spiritual pathway for you, you may want to pause and listen ...  

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”       
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

The Shepherds Tell

Scripture             Luke 2:8-20   
Focus Verse        Luke 2:17b
The Shepherds made known what had been told them about this child.

The Shepherds may not have been regarded highly by their neighbors but that didn’t stop them.  They were evangelists!  The word evangelism has a lot of baggage to carry but the word simply means, “to tell the story.”  Although we may be tempted to use a hard-sell tactic to “get” people to convert to Jesus, simply telling THE story and telling our story within THE story is so much more effective.   

Even Mary, who was living the Nativity right then and there as it unfolded, listened to the shepherds tell their story and she “treasured all their words and pondered them in her heart.”  Perhaps she remembered their words in her darkest moments with Jesus in his suffering.

Reflection: What is your story within THE story?  How does the Nativity inspire you to grow deeper in your trust of God?  Who do you need to share your story with?

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, take this link to "Mary, Did You Know" a song that illuminates the unknown future of Mary's son, Jesus. Even though we know, she didn't know when she said, "yes" nor when she gave birth ... listen to the amazing a cappella group, Pentatonix, who come from Arlington, TX. 

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”       
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

The Shepherds Go

Scripture             Luke 2:8-20
Focus Verse        Luke 2:15b
“Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”

During the time of this unfolding story, shepherds are in a lower socio-economic class, uneducated, poor, and migratory.  While living with their sheep, they probably didn’t smell that great.  They were not always welcome then they showed up so it is quite possible that the ones who heard the story of the shepherds would have been offended that such lowly born people were the first humans to see the Messiah.

Perhaps when Jesus calls himself the good shepherd, he is identifying with those who saw him first, giving him an affinity for the poor and humble.  After the Heavenly Host disappear into heaven, the shepherds have a meeting.  Their fear has dissipated, and they are ready to go and see the newborn king!

Reflection:  Who are the poor and humble today?   What can we learn from the shepherds? How does their centrality in the Nativity change our perception of the outsiders in our culture?

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, listen to the a capella group, Home Free, sing "Do you Hear what I Hear?"  This is a song with a fascinating story, written in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis as a powerful plea for peace by a man, Noel Regney, who had experienced the horrors of war. 

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”       
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

The Heavenly Host

Scripture             Luke 2:8-20
Focus Verse        Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
 and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

After the angel delivered the message to the shepherds, it was accompanied by a multitude of the “heavenly host” to send them off to find the Messiah.  The heavenly host refers to an army of angels mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments.  

What a beautiful song they sing, this army of angels who dwell in God’s presence!  The main purpose of the Heavenly Host is to continually praise God, but they are also sent by God (as messengers) to assist, strengthen and comfort human beings.  

Reflection:  How are you praising God these days?  In prayers of adoration, we praise God for who God is … what is your prayer of adoration?  In prayers of thanksgiving, we praise God for what God has done in our lives.  What is your prayer of thanksgiving?  Write down your prayers.

If music is a pathway to God for you, you might want to listen and watch Libera sing “Angels we have Heard on High."  Libera is a not for profit boys singing group, based in the South London.  

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”       
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

An Angel of the Lord

Scripture             Luke 2:8-20       
Focus Verse        Luke 2:10
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people …”

 

When we drop in on the shepherds, they are living their simple, humble lives “keeping watch” over their flock of sheep.  They probably didn’t get a lot of night visitors, so when the angel appeared the them, glowing in the night, of course they were terrified.  Once again, we hear those comforting words, “do not be afraid” and they enter a moment that would change the world forever. 

These humble shepherds are entrusted with a message for ALL of the people, a message that would make them famous!  The angel told them, “born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah.”  Then the angel sends them to Bethlehem to seek the newborn baby in a manger.

Reflection:  Where have you been seeking God recently?  How do you celebrate the good news?  How have you found the presence of God in unlikely places and in unlikely people?

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, listen to Andrea Bocelli and Mary J. Blige sing, "What Child is This?" as you envision shepherds and angels rejoicing at the good news of great joy for all people!

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”       
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

Bethlehem

Scripture             Luke 2:1-7, Micah 5:2-5a, John 7:42   
Focus Verse        Luke 2:4
Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.

Mary and Joseph traveled 90 miles to the city of Joseph’s ancestors, south along the flatlands of the Jordan River, then west over the hills surrounding Jerusalem, and on into Bethlehem.

Emperor Augustus chose perhaps the worst time to call for a census in the life of a woman, 9 months pregnant!  It could have taken them 5 days to travel but may have taken as long as 10 days in the rough terrain of that area as Mary would need to rest at times.  Some ancient sources say Mary rode on a donkey, but others do not mention this luxury. 

Why Bethlehem?  Micah the prophet wrote about a Messiah who would be born in Bethlehem, again applicable to his own time but we see a foreshadowing of Christ.  Jesus needed to be born in Bethlehem, as the home of Joseph’s ancestral family for he was a son of David.  And so, he was. 

Reflection:  Micah says the Messiah will be one of peace.  What does peace mean to you and where do you find it?

Is there any other song to listen to today?  If music is a spiritual pathway for you, listen to this arrangement of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" arranged by Dan Forrest.  

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”       
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

Living the Nativity with Angels, Shepherds, and Wisemen

Advent is about preparing ourselves to give attention to God’s greatest gift, Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God “with” us.

This week we build our story with fascinating characters of faith!  The Angels, the Shepherd and the Wisemen lead us in worshipping God in our daily lives … living the Nativity.  We are angels when we are strangers offering a message of hope to others.  We are shepherds when humility is a hallmark of our lives and when we care gently for those less fortunate. We are wisemen, and wise-women, when we seek God above all else and when we journey to the places we know we can find God, sometimes close and sometimes far away. 

The angels, the shepherds and the wisemen give their full attention to the Christ Child, and they lead us in living the Nativity! 

Children & Family Activity:  Pick up supplies to create an Angel and a Shepherd. You could also create 3 Wisemen traveling from afar but don’t put them in the Nativity scene yet!  Tell the story about how God sent people to Jesus. Talk about how the Angels and Shepherds worshipped Jesus and how the wisemen are traveling a long way just to see him and bring him gifts. 

Here is a video I created to show how you might create an Angel and a Shepherd.  I plan to create the Wisemen later ... maybe for the Epiphany!  If you can't access the video here or if the quality is not good on your device, you can take this link to YouTube:  https://youtu.be/_sKIw-YlLGM