Month: December 2012

Baa Baa Baa I Just Want to be a Sheep
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Baa Baa Baa I Just Want to be a Sheep

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Luke 2 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Those sheep sitting in the manger scene probably had something in common with the babe in the manger.

Bethlehem sits about six miles from Jerusalem where the temple was.  The sheep in the fields, more than likely, were being raised to be a sacrifice.  At Passover people flooded into Jerusalem, they needed a lamb without flaw for their sacrifice.

The babe in the manger would grow up to be the only perfect human.  This man would lay down his life as our Passover lamb.

And on the day of His birth, the shepherds were called by the Angels to view the new born baby who would be the final Passover Lamb required.

John 1 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Journal Exercise

John 3 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The Babe in the manger was your gift from God.  The Father provided the Lamb to be sacrificed for your sins.  Write a thank you note for God’s love.

Checking In
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Checking In

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Joseph and Mary left their village heading  to Bethlehem to be counted in the census. The village of Bethlehem swelled with people in town for the census.  Mary and Joseph arrive to find every place filled with people.  The Inn Keeper had no rooms left.  Everything was full.  No rooms anywhere.  The only place available was in the stable.

Luke 2 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Today, a beautiful church sits over the cave which was once the stable.  A star marks the spot where a hay trough once stood and where the baby was to be lain.

The Inn Keeper had no rooms except this stable.  The bible doesn’t tell us, but it is interesting to thank about the person who sent Mary and Joseph to the stable to give birth. Have you thought about that Inn Keeper’s decision?  I see two or three options here.

1. The manager of this place was out to make a buck putting people anywhere he could find.  He cared nothing about the man, woman and baby needing a room.  But he would make more money if he put people in the stable.

2. The city had people everywhere and getting the stable was special.  He felt sorry for them.  Mary being pregnant and all.  He took time to find them the only place he could find.

I see one option being so similar to the person with a busy life that gives Jesus the small sliver of time left over in their lives.  But the other person, the one trying to make room for Jesus, cares.  He is trying to find Jesus a place in his life.

But neither one was really what the Lord of the Universe deserved.  Neither is right.  Yet it seems like all of us just give Jesus what is left over.  Some people in a careless way never thinking about Jesus.  The others making an effort to squeeze Him in.

Shouldn’t we be giving him our room.  Saying I will give up my comfort or my favorite things for Jesus my Lord.  We owe Him everything and most of us think we are remarkable if we let him stay in the stable.

Journal Exercise

Do you squeeze God in?  Do you find him a place between all the other activities of your life?

 

Do you feel good about giving Jesus the equivalent of the stable in you life?  You find him a place, but not the prime spot, not the best of your life.  Do you treat Him like He is king or do you treat Him like the livestock?

in order to excite the inhabitants
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

in order to excite the inhabitants

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Back to our Saint Francis and his Christmas Eve service.

He brought in hay, animals and a manger.  This had never been done.  Saint Francis used his creativity to reach the people attending the service that night.  He wanted them to be excited about the events around Jesus birth.

Today, the manger scene comes as giant plastic figures, tiny shelf pieces made from precious stones, living enactments, and scenes made completely of light.  Saint Francis’ idea caught on.  But do you get excited when you see that scene?

The little manger held the creator of the universe.  He stepped down from his throne in heaven to take the body of a baby.  He came for you and for me.  He came to show us how to live.  He came to build a bridge between mankind and God.  This babe would grow up to be a man who would lay down his life as a sacrifice which covers our sins.

American Heritage Dictionary

ex·cite

TRANSITIVE VERB:
ex·cit·ed, ex·cit·ing, ex·cites

  1. To stir to activity.

  2. To call forth (a reaction or emotion, for example); elicit: odd noises that excited our curiosity.

  3. To arouse strong feeling in:

Journal Exercise

John 1

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

When you see the creche does it excite you to activity?

Does it fill you with strong emotion?

Write a prayer asking God to excite you with that first love for Christ.  The excitement that stirs you to action.  The excitement that fills you with emotion when you see a manger and remember your Lord came to earth to build a relationship with you.

Light the Rose Candle of Joy
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Light the Rose Candle of Joy

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Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

The third candle of advent is different from the rest.  The rose color candle represents the Joy of the coming of the Lord.  The custom comes from the Pope handing a rose to  a person on the third Sunday of Advent.

The news of Jesus arrival was to bring great Joy to those who love God.

The song Joy to the World was written in 1719 based on Psalms 98

98 O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

2 The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

5 Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.

7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together

9 Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

Christmas should be a time of great joy, but so many find the season sad.  The lights, the music, the family gatherings, the parties leave them feeling depressed.

But, the joy of Christ goes beyond the revery of a song and dance.  The joy of our salvation comes from a contentment in our inner being. We are assured that even in the bad times God is in control.  This world is a journey filled with highs and lows, sometimes very low lows, but God who created the universe is on his throne.  He works all things for good even when we can not see how.

John 15:1111 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Journal exercise

Do you have the deep inner joy of knowing Christ?

 

Are you aware of people who are sad during this Christmas season, maybe they are alone, maybe they lost someone they loved?

 

Can you think of any way you might bring joy into their life?

 

 

Focus during this season not just on purchasing gifts for your family, or even giving gifts to those in need.  Keep your eyes open, looking for those who you might share the joy of Christ with.

Angels, angels, angels
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Angels, angels, angels

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Angels top our trees, angels stand in our yards, angels every where of every size can be found.

But then, angels flooded the Christmas story.

First we have Gabriel appearing in the temple with great news for Zacharias. This angel came with assurances that the priest’s prayers would be answered.  Even though Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were past the age of having kids, they would soon be expecting a baby boy whose name would be John.  He would grow to be the one who would prepare the way for the Lord.

And Zacharias’ response to this wondrous news

Luke 1 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

Gabriel closed Zacharias mouth until the baby was born and he was asked what to name the baby.

 

A few months later in the town of Nazareth, Gabriel shows up with more news.

He appears to a young 13 or 14 year old girl engaged to marry.  The angel informs the young girl, a virgin,  she will conceive a child by the Holy Spirit.  This baby’s name will be Jesus (God’s salvation).

Mary knows this news means she will be at a minimum mocked in her community.  There is a real possibility her husband to be would have her stoned or removed from the community.  Her life will take a significant turn with this news.

And what is Mary’s response

Luke 1 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Journal exercise

What would your response be if an Angel appeared to you?

If an angel appeared telling you that a prayer would be answered, would you believe or ask for proof?

If the angel asked you to do something really hard what would your answer be?

 

You may not get an appearance from an angel, but you may know that God is asking you to do something for Him.  How have you responded to those requests to do hard things?

 

Songs of the Season
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Songs of the Season

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The days before Christmas, every where you go, you hear Christmas carols.  No other season has so many songs–religious songs, silly songs, worship songs, celebrating songs, kid songs, songs telling stories, songs with words from almost every language.  Songs to sing and songs for dancing happy jigs.

This hasn’t always been the case.

Telesphorus, the leader of the church in Rome around 125 AD, is said to have  declared it acceptable to sing Gloria in Excelsis Deo or the Angels Hymn at Midnight mass on Christmas Eve.  

A significant span of time occurs before we add new music to Christmas.

From 125 AD until around the 1200’s, the people listened to Priests singing songs during worship, but they did not join in the sing.

Our dear Francis of Assisi, as part of his Christmas Eve telling of the story of Christ’s birth, used music to tell the story. He wrote Psalmist of Nativitate.  Francis wanted upbeat music people could sing and celebrate with.  Happy, you can dance to it music, to tell the wonderful story of Jesus birth.  He put latin words honoring Jesus birth to familiar cheerful music for people to sing where ever they went.

Psalmist of Nativitate is considered the first Christmas Carol.  Over the years more and more Christmas Carols were written and played.  Everyone can find songs they love to hear and sing.

 

Exercise –non journalling today

Play your christmas music and sing, just sing those beautiful songs in celebration of Jesus.  Sing preparing your heart for the joyous day which is approaching.  Honor God with your singing.  Pull out your Christmas Carols and tell the story of Him who stepped down from heaven to a manger in a small village for your sake.

Psalm 95:1

 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Not for Santa; For Lucy
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Not for Santa; For Lucy

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Cookies left on the mantle for Santa were originally for Saint Lucia.

A wealthy young women who loved Jesus lived in Sicily around 310 AD.  She desired to stay a virgin and to spend her life working for God.  One powerful pagan man in her community intended to marry her even though Lucia did not want to marry him.  She set her mind to using her dowery for helping others and to stay in service to the Lord.

The man denounced her to the authorities for being a Christian in retaliation for her not being willing to marry him.   The magistrate ordered Lucia be burned to death.  The tradition says her body would not burn until she had received the sacrament.  There are many wondrous stories associated with her death and it is difficult to know all the details.

photo-24In some traditions, the 13th of December, her saint day, starts the 12 days of Advent.

Regions of Italy, and other parts of Europe, have a tradition that Saint Lucia on a donkey brings either sweets or presents to children who are good.  Bad children receive coal.  If you are not a sleep, and you see Lucia, she will blow ashes in your eyes making you temporarily blind.

Swedish traditions have a young girl with a crown of candles on her head carrying saffron buns.  The lights symbolizing both her name which means light and the fire she suffered for the Lord.

 

Journal Exercise

Do you put God first and everything else second?

 

Do you freely express your love of Christ to others or do you deny Jesus with your silence?

 

 

 

Telling the story in a new way
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Telling the story in a new way

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St. Bonaventure (d. 1274) Life of St. Francis of Assisi

It happened in the third year before his death, that in order to excite the inhabitants of Grecio to commemorate the nativity of the Infant Jesus with great devotion, [St. Francis] determined to keep it with all possible solemnity; and lest he should be accused of lightness or novelty, he asked and obtained the permission of the sovereign Pontiff.

Then he prepared a manger, and brought hay, and an ox and an ass to the place appointed. The brethren were summoned, the people ran together, the forest resounded with their voices, and that venerable night was made glorious by many and brilliant lights and sonorous psalms of praise.

The man of God [St. Francis] stood before the manger, full of devotion and piety, bathed in tears and radiant with joy; the Holy Gospel was chanted by Francis, the Levite of Christ. Then he preached to the people around the nativity of the poor King; and being unable to utter His name for the tenderness of His love, He called Him the Babe of Bethlehem.

A certain valiant and veracious soldier, Master John of Grecio, who, for the love of Christ, had left the warfare of this world, and become a dear friend of this holy man, affirmed that he beheld an Infant marvellously beautiful, sleeping in the manger, Whom the blessed Father Francis embraced with both his arms, as if he would awake Him from sleep. This vision of the devout soldier is credible, not only by reason of the sanctity of him that saw it, but by reason of the miracles which afterwards confirmed its truth.

For example of Francis, if it be considered by the world, is doubtless sufficient to excite all hearts which are negligent in the faith of Christ; and the hay of that manger, being preserved by the people, miraculously cured all diseases of cattle, and many other pestilences; God thus in all things glorifying his servant, and witnessing to the great efficacy of his holy prayers by manifest prodigies and miracles

Journal Exercise

Do you look for ways to creatively share the Christmas story with others?

Do you use this season to tell others about Jesus?

List ways you might share without forcing yourself on others.   St Francis told the story in a way people remembered and enjoyed.

What do Adam and Eve have to do with Christmas?
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

What do Adam and Eve have to do with Christmas?

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The eve of Christmas and in the local tavern the people gather to watch a show.

A man, A woman and the serpent re-enact the events in Eden.  A fir tree stands on the stage with red fruit and white wafers all over it. God warned them to not eat from the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil.  Satan tells them that God is just trying to keep them from being gods themselves. Eve takes the apple and bites.  Adam follows and takes a bit as well.  Adam and Eve chose to believe Satan’s twisted words instead of what God told them.  They are expelled from the garden and are forced to toil the land until they eventually die.  They now know (experience) both the good in life and the evil in life.

The actors presented the Paradise Play on Adam and Eve Day, December 24th.  They used a fir tree because it is the middle of winter and they are the only green trees.  They covered it with apples to represent the fruit of knowledge of good and evil. But the play makes sure the audience knows that tomorrow on Christmas a baby is born who is the Son of God.  Jesus dies for our sins.  The white wafers, eucharist, symbolizes his body that is given as a sacrifice for us.

Christmas eve we see the fall of human kind due to sin, but on Christmas morning we celebrate the birth of Jesus who is come to save us.

The modern Christmas tree, the ornaments and the colors of Christmas are all based on these paradise plays on Christmas Eve.  These and other bible based plays originated around 1000 AD and then are banned for awhile by the Pope.  They become popular again around the late 1400’s to early 1500’s when we see the first documentations of Christmas trees.

When you walk past the elaborately decorated trees of Christmas, remember that the babe born on Christmas morn came specifically to shed his blood for your sin.  He came from heaven to earth for you.

Watch every where for the red, white and green of the season and remember to not make the mistake of Adam and Eve.  They chose to trust Satan.  Chose to trust Christ and accept his sacrifice for your sins if you have not done so before.

If you have all ready chosen to trust Jesus, spend this season thanking Christ for coming from heaven to earth for you.

Journal exercise

Write how it makes you feel to know Jesus left heaven to come to earth to be a sacrifice for sin–for your sin.  He came for you.

 

John 1

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

 

Season of Love
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Season of Love

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Research the meaning of the advent candles and you will find slightly different meanings for the candles.  For the most part, the candles represent similar concepts presented in different ways.  But the second candle has a wide variation of meanings attributed to it.

One meaning for this candle is love and I choose to focus on this one.  Why?  Because I believe the whole season of Christmas –Advent, Christmas Day, the 12 days of Christmas –everything about this season has to do with Love.  We could call it the Season of Love.

Christmas starts with God loving us.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life

He gave us the ultimate gift out of love.  And because He loved us so much we love Him.

1 John 4 19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Jesus says if we love Him that we should keep His commands.  And what does Jesus command.

John 15

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

 Christmas is the celebration of the day God showed us how much He loved us by sending his Son.  Jesus lived the perfect life and then died on the cross for  our sins all out of love.  We love God because He first loved us and what does the object of our love request of us?  He asks that we love one another.
Exercise
Do you love others in your life, not just your family, but the strangers who pass your way?
Do you love as Christ loved you?
Write your thoughts about God’s love for you,  and what it means to love someone as Christ loves you.