Eight Days Later  

     We don't know exactly what day/night Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But we do know that eight days later, Joseph and Mary had arrived with the baby in Jerusalem.

     Why Jerusalem? Following the law of Moses, Jesus (so named by an angel before he was conceived), was to be circumcised in the temple, as the law required. 

     God had saved Israelites from Egyptians; therefore, He considered children his property. 

     In the book of Exodus, chapter 13, the Lord told Moses, "The first offspring (child) among the Israelites belongs to me." In Leviticus chapter 12 we learn that parents could buy back the child if they provided a lamb as payment. If they weren't wealthy enough, two doves and 2 pigeons would suffice. 

     You know which gift Joseph and Mary could afford. God was and still is relating to people in the humblest way. We don't please him with wealth and intellect, though the risen Jesus chose a (poor) intellectual to take the gospel to Gentiles. 

Luke chapter 2: "Anna, age 84, who never left the temple, gave thanks to God and spoke about the child...looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit came upon Simeon, saying he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. He took the baby Jesus, saying, 'My eyes have seen your salvation...a light to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.' Simeon also spoke of challenges Jesus would face. Three decades later, Jesus became the Light, though many never believe.

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 Our great grandson, age three months and a couple weeks, came to visit us from Indiana on my birthday. Thomas was born with health issues that would not permit him to live more than a day or so, if not for modern technology. Seeing something new, his parents took him to our hospital, which sent him to a children's hospital more than an hour's drive from here. He has "double pneumonia." And today, his father has to fly home for something special at his work. Thanks for praying for Thomas. 

        Meanwhile, an introduction by Jewish rabbi Saul, who God changed to Paul, to his letter to the Galatians: 

     Paul, an apostle - sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead - and all the brothers with me.

     To the churches in Galatia: Grace and peace to you from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  

We are off our routine due to hospitalization of our great grandson, who visited us for my birthday. I'll probably give you a few notes on that. Meanwhile,  

God delights in...

       small things 

Moses' rod - Exodus 4:2 

David's sling - 1 Samuel 17 

Jawbone - Judges 15:15 

Hammer and tent peg - Judges 4:17-24  

Small rope - Joshua 2:15-15

Basket - Acts 9:23-25 

Cup of water - Matthew 10:42 

Mud - John 9:6-7 

Loaves and fish - John 6:9 

Celebration Ideas

     New Year's Eve countdown is on. January's name came from the Roman Janus, the god of beginnings, endings, doorways and transitions. Janus presided over many transitions. 

     Anyway, billions today celebrate the new year. Young children have options to turn NYE into a family friendly affair. Some ideas:

     Noon Year's Eve. Staying up until midnight is a stretch for kids. Consider moving the countdown back 12 hours, to noon. Children won't mind, as long as they get to make noise and throw confetti. 

     Homemade noisemakers. Making noise is part of the fun. Kids can craft their own noisemakers. 

     Dress-up photo booth. Many people like to dress up for a special occasion. Set aside a corner of a room with dress-up props like funny glasses, feather boas, top hats, etc. 

     Kids beverage bar. Sodas. Fruit juice. Citrus slices, etc. Set up a hot cocoa bar with miniature marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings and peanut butter chips. 

     Families can celebrate New Year's Eve with kids in entertaining ways that are age appropriate. Yes, celebrate! 

  

 

 

Christ in the OT 

    N0. 3 in series

     The disciple Matthew (1:23) quoted the prophet Isaiah, 700 years later: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means "God with us." Luke wrote the same line, and also Isaiah 7:14).

     Mark's gospel begins with Isaiah 40:3, I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare the way - a voice of one calling in the desert, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him."

     Liberal theologians have long opposed this miracle, and probably many others. All OT prophets received information from God, not necessarily understanding it. We are blessed to know and believe. They can't deal with what they cannot explain, such as:

     God born in a small town. Taken to Egypt to avoid murder. To Nazareth to live in an insignificant village. Everyone with a special place in the Bible was poor, or insignificant in other ways...until God placed them in His story. The Father - with a minor exception - didn't bring his Son into the public eye until age 30. 

     Again, some 700 hundred years earlier, the Lord revealed his plan for John (not the disciple John), who baptized Jesus as He began his ministry. About 300 years later, Malachi (3:1) wrote a shorter message about the coming messenger, who would be John the Baptist. 

     Liberal theologians cannot accept God (a thousand years are like a day, and a day is like a thousand years (2 Peter 3:8).

A Holy Moment 

       On Christmas we were reminded that angels frightened...then enlightened humble shepherds...that "in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." 

     God often reveals His greatness in the smallest, most unassuming ways. In 1 Corinthians 1:27, But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

     God reveals himself in ways that challenge the world's understanding (see tomorrow's blog on liberal theologians). Our world seeks advancement, invention and even understanding the world above us. 

     God wants the least of us to know him and be saved. Intellectuals may be saved as well, but they must meet the Lord on his terms, not their college degrees. 

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to see your presence in the humble, ordinary moments of my life. Help me to embrace the simplicity of your love and let it transform my everyday actions. Amen.

 

Are we in the end-times?

     "Nobody knows. People are seduced by the illusion that knowing the future lets you control it. On the other hand, Christ himself gave us signs, and events seems to match Scripture.

Various authors

     "The Apocalypse is a paradox: both salvation and a catastrophe, comfort and warning of coming perfect judgment. Christians are supposed to pray for it, not fear it: Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

     "People cannot live in a perpetual state of crisis, but at the same time Christians must take into account that Christ's return could be very soon. We have failed to grasp the doctrine of the Second Coming. 

     "Ever since Jesus came, we've been in the last days, said a seminary professor. Many people have claimed to know the end times are right around the corner. And so far, the batting average is zero. 

     "But one day, someone will be right." 

Your blogger doesn't focus on the end times. We take seriously Jesus' instruction: Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 

I could die in my sleep. I'll deal with today. 

       Jimmy