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 ...

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 ...

An Angel Appears

Scripture             Matthew 1:18-25, 2:13-14
Focus Verse        Matthew 1:20
An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Just when Joseph has made the best decision he can make with the knowledge he has … suddenly an angel appears with a message from God.  Joseph has already bumped up against the letter of the law by planning to dismiss Mary quietly.

Now the angel pushes Joseph even further, and he shatters the boundaries with his decision to believe that God is speaking and further, to listen to God’s plan.  Joseph is risking his standing in his family and the community, but he is also growing closer to the God who has called him to be the adoptive father of the Son of God.     

Reflection: Have you ever had a dream or a vision or perhaps just a thought that didn’t seem to be yours, a situation in which you felt God was speaking to you?  Have you ever bumped up against, or completely shattered, the letter of the “law” in order to offer compassion to a marginalized person because you felt that is what God was calling you to do?  How did that change your life?  the lives of others? 

Mercy Me sings a song, written by Russell Schulz-widmar and Fred Pratt Green, called, "Joseph's Lullaby" which envisions the love that began forming in Joseph's heart on the very night he accepted the call to be the father of Jesus, the Son of God, to hold him as a baby, and to let this love change him ... if music is a spiritual pathway for you, take the link and listen to the love that flows through this song.  

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 ...

Righteousness

Scripture            Matthew 1:18-25   
Focus Verse        Matthew 1:19
Joseph, being a righteous man was unwilling to expose Mary to public disgrace …

Let’s take a moment to imagine, like Joseph, we have no knowledge of God’s plan.  Let all of the emotions that Joseph must have had, believing that Mary had betrayed him, arise:  disbelief, anger, pain, fear, shame, shock just to name a few.  Joseph, even with all of those emotions, being a righteous man, has mercy and compassion toward Mary, and resolves to end their betrothal without publicly humiliating her and putting her in danger of death by law.

Righteousness, translated from the Greek word, dikaiosune, has been defined as being in a “right relationship with God.”  Just like Mary, Joseph was chosen because of his relationship with God, one in which he was sensitive to God’s movements, one who acted with grace in the most difficult of situations.   

Reflection:  If you were in Joseph’s shoes, without knowing God’s plan, what feelings would you have had toward Mary?  What would you have done?  What are the signs in your life when you are in right relationship with God?  How does being in right relationship with God bring out the best in us?

There is a stanza in the song, "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," that has a haunting quality that underscores the sense of pain and confusion that sometimes come into our lives.  When I hear this arrangement by Shane (Barnard) and Shane (Everett) and let these words sink into my soul: "beneath life’s crushing load," I can feel the painful steps that Joseph walks before the angel comes to him. Life happens every day, and it is only our relationship with God that holds us up on some of those days as we "rest beside the weary road."  If music is a spiritual path for you, listen with the ears of your heart to the words written in 1849 by Edmund Sears whose context was the social strife and division in our country that preceded the civil 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 Spirit of the Lord

Scripture             Isaiah 11:1-10   
Focus Verse        Isaiah 11:2 & 4 excerpt
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD … with righteousness he shall judge …

This short reading from Isaiah is a beautiful positive messianic promise interwoven into some of the harshest words of judgement spoken in the bible.  The stump of Jesse (David’s father) is the once glorious Israel under attack and beaten down by the Assyrians.  Suddenly hope “shoots” up in the midst of despair, the Messiah who will deliver the people!  Once again we find foreshadowing.

It is a beautiful vision that Isaiah creates for us, the Peaceable Kingdom, the one we dream of while we wait … Into the messiness of the feeding trough, Jesus was born.  Into the messiness of life, Jesus walks.   But Jesus never walked alone, and neither do we.

The Spirit of God, the One hovering over the waters of Creation, is and always has been watching over humanity, leading and guiding, teaching and inspiring, convicting and comforting … even praying when we don’t know how.  Paul says our very own bodies are a temple for the Spirit of God. 

Reflection:  How do you experience the Spirit of God in Christ?  Recall times in your life when you've know that Jesus has been your companion on the journey of life.

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, take in link and listen to "Hail to the Lord's Anointed."  Anointing is symbolic of blessing, protection, and empowerment and it's meaning is that of being chosen or "set apart."  This arrangement is beautifully sung by Sandra McCracken and highlights our belief that Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy of the Anointed One, the Messiah. 

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 ...

Messiah, Son of Abraham

Scripture             Matthew 1:1-17, Genesis 12:1-3   
Focus Verse        Matthew 1:1
An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

God tells Abraham that all the families of the earth will be blessed by his descendants.  When Matthew calls Jesus the son of Abraham, it is his way of saying Jesus is the Messiah of all people, not just the people of Israel.  God will deliver ALL those who call upon the Name above all Names!

Throughout history, heroes are generally defined by their association with powerful, prestigious, and wealthy men, especially male ancestors.  And yet, Matthew chooses to include women in the genealogy of Jesus, and not just any women but “foreign women,” which is even more unusual. And these women, just like King David, were notorious sinners but also just like King David accomplished great things for the kingdom.  Shocking!  It is rather humbling to know that without them, the genealogical line would have been broken.    

Reflection:  How does it make you feel to know that God calls sinners as well as saints, and aren’t we all a little bit of both all at the same time?   What do you think about God’s intention to bless ALL people of the world, not just some “good” people?

I found a little song called "Some Children See Him," sung by James Taylor this year that really spoke into the depths of my soul.  One of the famous "Burt Carols" written in 1950, at first I wasn't sure it was appropriate to share in today's world, it often offends people to talk in different ways about diversity.  But as I researched the song, I found an article (Gloria Gaither, 2011) in which she talks about purity in the way "children embrace the baby Jesus, seeing Him as being just like them. The innocent acceptance of a fellow child actually is full of meaning for the rest of us, as children seem to know that God came to be like them so that they could be like Him ... insights of children hold profound truths that are eclipsed by our adult sophistication."  And may we ALL be filled and blessed by this wisdom of the depths of God's love in Jesus Christ!  

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 ...