Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful time of celebration on many levels.  Certainly it is a fun time for children who look forward to Santa Claus, presents, and fun times with family.  And families enjoy the togetherness that can come from getting together.  Often there are many memories from past Christmas celebrations.  There are a few observations from a spiritual stance that we can notice here.

It can be noted that the Bible does not teach us to observe the birth date of Jesus.  Jesus Himself taught in Matthew, Mark and Luke that He wanted His death to be remembered in the partaking of the communion, the Lord's Supper, after He was gone.  But there was never any mention of remembering His birth.  Still, we see detailed accounts of His birth in Matthew and Luke.  And certainly His birth was an amazing series of miracles; a wondrous event. 

We also can easily conclude that the birth of Jesus did not occur on December 25.  This date does not fit the circumstances, especially noting that shepherds would not be in the fields at that time.

And we can research the fact that Christmas did not begin until generations after the life of Christ.  It wasn't a true Christian beginning, one sanctioned by Christ.

But the birth of Jesus Christ was amazing, exciting, and miraculous, though humbling and lowly in the setting of a barn. 

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.' "

And thus began the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Born there in that barn with the animals in the lowliest of beginnings.  Praise the Lord God and His only Son, Jesus Christ!

Thanks for reading.  Have a blessed week!

Memorizing the Bible

I am working on memorizing some key verses in the Bible.  And must say I am the worst at that.  I have never really tried to memorize much of anything and don't find that easy.  But I mention it here because I might encourage someone else to try it also.  In fact, in the last couple of weeks of work at it, I am finding it quite stimulating.  So in this lesson I will mention a few verses that you might try. 

Psalm 1:1,2   "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stands in the path of sinners
nor sits at the feet of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and he meditates in the law day and night."

This very beginning of the book of Psalms says a lot about the importance of following God.

Genesis 12:1-3   "God had said to Abram (Abraham),
'Get out of your country,
from your family, from your father's house,
to a land that I will show you,
and I will make you a great nation.
I will bless you and make your name great.
And you will be a blessing.
Whoever blesses you, I will bless.
But him who curses you, I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.' "

The blessing here is referencing the fact that one day a Messiah would be born, a descendant of Abraham, who would bless the whole world.

1Corinthians 10:13  "No temptation will overcome you, but such is common to man.
And God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.
But with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."

Memorization can be fun; give it a try.  Thanks for reading. 

Hosea....and Harlotry

I have been reading the book of Hosea.  It is the first of the last 12 books of the Old Testament.  These 12 books that conclude the OT are called the Minor Prophets; minor, not in importance, just in length.

The prophet Hosea is an unusual character.  He prophesied during the latter days of the Northern kingdom of Israel.  The nation had gotten away from God and had gone to worshiping idols; and we know that God hates that.  When problems arose, they would seek help from other nations like Egypt and Assyria, not from God.  And God did not like that.

What makes Hosea unusual is that God instructed him to marry a harlot....a ho in today's vernacular.  And it appears that she continued her evil practices even after marrying Hosea.  But Hosea was patient and determined that he could restore his wife, Gomer.  It is clear in the book of Hosea that this marriage was symbolic of God trying to restore the wayward nation of Israel so that they would once again be reliant on Him, be His people....and quit their spiritual and physical harlotry.

Like all books of the Bible, this book has significance to us today.  God is not happy when His people stray; when His people seek other solutions, rather than follow Him.  But the beauty of this is that God always provides a solution to the problem.  God always allows His people to come back to Him; to restore and be accepted back fully.  In fact, God calls us to do that; encourages us.  Note Hosea 14:1:

"O Israel, return to the Lord your God,
For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
Take words with you,
And return to the Lord.
Say to Him,
'Take away all iniquity;
Receive us graciously...' "

And the book concludes:

"Who is wise?
Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent?
Let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them."

The lesson is clear to us.  We need to do things in God's ways....and avoid the ways that are evil....and destructive to us.  We need to love our God!

Thanks for reading.  Have a blessed week!