Tag: Christian

Fifth Day of Christmas–A Star
12 Days of Christmas · Christian. · Christmas

Fifth Day of Christmas–A Star

purposeunderheaven1 Comment

Educated men in a land to the east of Israel saw a star which indicated to them that a great ruler would be born.

Matthew 2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

 These wise men, sages, astronomers, studied the sky and believed a great ruler would be born.  They may have came from the area which is currently Iran or Iraq. The prophet Daniel once held positions of power among the wise men of what was then Babylon and Persia.   We know little of why these men believed the star foretold a Kings birth.  But they followed the star to Jerusalem.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

 It appears the star disappeared from sight for a period.  The men start asking people questions and they draw the attention of Herod.  The wise men ask where the baby would be found.  And Herod asks his scholars.  The scholars tell him Bethlehem, but notice these learned men of the scriptures did not leave the safety of the palace to seek out the baby.  They knew what the words said, but they did not act on that knowledge.  Herod tells the wise men they should head to Bethlehem.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

These wise men traveled a great distance to find the new born king.  If they came from Persia, they traveled over a 1000 miles to reach Jerusalem. Making all kinds of assumptions, including the not validated idea that they rode camels, the fastest they could have arrived was 10 days.  We do not know if the star appeared before the birth, or after the birth.

What we know is these men were determined to see this new king and when the star disappeared they asked questions to help determine the way.  And when the star returned, they rejoice with exceeding great joy.  Finding Jesus mattered to them.

Journal Exercise

What effort are you willing to put forth to discover all there is to know about Jesus?

When you find a way to know him better do you rejoice with exceeding great joy?  If now why not?

If you do, think of examples and  write them down as a reminder to you of the joy of discovering more and more about our King.

Fourth Day of Christmas: Evil Exists
12 Days of Christmas · Christian. · Christmas

Fourth Day of Christmas: Evil Exists

purposeunderheaven1 Comment

We see evil in our world but deny its existence.  Horrible terrible things occur and we strain to understand. We struggle to find some reason for the evil even when there is no logical rationale.  We search for answers where the answer may simply be there is evil in this world.

We look at the Christmas story and see the beauty of the story.  To be honest, the love of Christmas in many ways fits our ideals about love.  A man and a woman engaged to be married have angels suddenly appearing in their lives.

The first angel informs the woman that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and place a child in her womb.  We skim over the fact her society would have been harsh on a young woman pregnant before the final marriage vows are taken.  She says she is willing to accept God’s will in her life.  We nod.

The second angel comes in a dream telling the man to accept the baby because it is of God.  The man does as he is told.

But in the mist of our beautiful love story, we see evil.  We want to rationalize evil and when we cannot rationalize evil we want to blame God.  We struggle with the evidence of evil in our world.

The Fourth Day of Christmas is the Childermas or the Feast of the Holy Innocents.

The Wise men following the star stop in Jerusalem to ask about where the royal infant they are searching for might be found.  Herod, the ruler of Israel, asks his experts where the Messiah would be born.  They inform him prophecy indicates the birth will occur in Bethlehem.  Herod tells the Wise men to return and tell him where the child is when they find him.  But the Wise men are warned by God not to go back to Herod.  Joseph receives a warning to take the baby and go to Egypt.

Matthew 2:16-

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Herod was known for two major attributes.  He built beautiful buildings—temples, fortresses, and homes.  He killed people.  Herod murdered his sons when they presented a possible threat. Herod was evil

Based on the size of Bethlehem at this time, as many as twenty baby boys died at the hand of Herod.

Journal Exercise

God does not commit evil.  But if you believe God can intervene in our lives, then we have to accept that sometimes God allows evil to occur. Herod killed those babies, but God did not act to prevent it.  We struggle to comprehend why God would allow twenty baby boys to die.  God knew it would happen.  The scriptures foretold this event.  He warned Joseph. Today events occur and we ask why God protects some and allows evil to act in other cases.  What are your thoughts?

The Book of Job details how God allows evil to act in a righteous man’s life.  Job refuses to curse God, but he also struggles to understand why all of this has happened.  His friends accuse him of all kinds of misdeeds as rationale, but he is innocent of what they imply.  God appears to Job and asks Job if he had been at creation when God made the world.  He asks a series of questions that indicate God is greater than any man or woman.  Job’s heart is healed and the evil is undone to some degree.  He grows closer to God, but not once does God explain why He has allowed the evil into Job’s life.  We are not told why God allows Herod to murder these babies.

We may never know why God allows evil to act in this world.  Write your feelings about this as a message to God, but remember who He is and who you are.  Write with reverence asking for the ability to accept there are things we will never understand.

Has God ever allowed evil into you life or the life of someone you know?  Have you had to deal with trusting God that He has a reason for allowing evil to touch your live and that you may never be able to understand in this life.

 

Third Day of Christmas–What are we doing here?
12 Days of Christmas · Christian. · Christmas

Third Day of Christmas–What are we doing here?

purposeunderheaven1 Comment

The early traditions of the church held that the days before Christmas were fast days.  A time  preparing one’s heart for the celebration of Jesus birth.  The true Christmas season ran from Feast Celebrating Jesus birth to the Epiphany. The ancient church actually established the Feast of Epiphany prior to the settling on the date of Jesus birth. There are 12 days from the first feast day Christmas to the eve of Epiphany.

Wreaths and other Christmas decorations go up near the 25th of December in the western branch of the church and remain up until the eve of epiphany.

Specific traditions for the Twelve Days of Christmas vary as you move around the world.

In our modern hustle bustle society,  I think a fast, of a negative type, often occurs during the days from December 1 until Christmas day. This is the type of fast we should never experience and leaves us weakened. Society places intense pressure on people during the pre-Christmas time for parties and shopping and rushing to every play or school performance.  We often go great lengths of time without any quite time with God.  One shame in our modern lives is that many reach Christmas Day drained of any closeness to Christ.

The twelve days provides a quieter time to contemplate the bible story of the first days of our Lord’s life on earth.  We need to stop and refuel for the year a head.

Journal Exercise

Do you feel drained and distant from God after Christmas or do you feel closer.  Why?

In response to the Shepherds arrival at the nativity and their repeating what the angels said, we have the following bible verse.

Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

What part of the story of Jesus Birth do you hold in a special place in your heart?  Is it the angels announcing Jesus birth to Shepherds in the Fields?  Is it the shepherds rushing to Bethlehem to see the baby?  Maybe it is the wise men coming to place gifts before Jesus?

Write your thoughts regarding your favorite part of the nativity story and why.

 

Second Day of Christmas, Feast of Stephen
12 Days of Christmas · Christian. · Christmas

Second Day of Christmas, Feast of Stephen

purposeunderheavenLeave a comment
There is a Christmas Carol I have heard since I was a child and never under stood.  This song actually has more to do with the Feast of Stephen than with the nativity of Christ

Good King Wenceslas looked out


On the feast of Stephen


When the snow lay round about


Deep and crisp and even


Brightly shone the moon that night


Though the frost was cruel


When a poor man came in sight


Gath’ring winter fuel

 

The Feast of Stephen and the Second Day of Christmas are both on the 26th of December.  Let’s start with who St. Stephen was:

Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

 Stephen was chosen to be responsible for widows, orphans and those in need; his day represents the same principle.  People on the Feast of Stephen would take extra care to provide for those in need.  Wenceslas, a real person actually was a Duke and was known for caring for people.  He died at the hand of his brother partially due to Wenceslas willingness to give away his money to those in need. He was declared a King after his death in honor of his Christian heart for others.
Journaling Exercise
 
Identify others who have needs where you might be able to help.  This does not have to be monetary help. You could aid an elderly person by visiting them regularly or you could give a single mother a “night-out” by babysitting her kid.
Make your list and then decide on one activity and make a plan to act.  Come back to this page after you help the other person and describe how it went.
Happy Birthday Jesus
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Happy Birthday Jesus

purposeunderheavenLeave a comment

Isaiah 9

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

No Journal Exercise today.  Today is a day of Celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace. 

Let’s Sing with the Angels
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Let’s Sing with the Angels

purposeunderheavenLeave a comment

 

The tradition of midnight mass originated around the year 130 AD.  Telesphorus leader of the church in Rome ( 7th Pope) established this service of worship at night  and included in the mass the singing of Gloria in Excelsis Deo.  This was to be done prior to the offering of the Lord’s cup and bread which was being celebrated in recognition of Jesus birth.  The song was referred to as the Angel’s Hymn because the song was based on the words said by the angels to the shepherds when they announced Jesus’ birth.

 

Luke 2

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Journal Exercise
Write praises to God for all He has done in your life.
Write praises to God for being born on Christmas morning.
Write praises to God for loving you.
Write praises to God and join with the angels in honoring HIm who was born in Bethlehem so many years ago.
And sing, sing, sing
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Fourth Candle = Love
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Fourth Candle = Love

purposeunderheavenLeave a comment

The fourth candle stands for love.  That deep Agape kind of love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love endures misfortunes and troubles.  It perseveres bravely with patience. Love is slow to anger or to punish. True love acts with kindness.  Love does not burn with anger or envy. A person acting out of agape love doesn’t go around bragging or building themself up.  This love behaves itself in a respectable manner; it is not selfish. This love is slow to anger, and does not keep track of the things that have been done wrong. Agape does not approve when unjust things happen to others, but, rather, celebrates the truth.  Agape endures everything.  The person expressing agape love shows trust, hope and faithfulness.

We know a few things regarding God and love.

We know that God is love.  (1 John 4:8)

We know that God loved us.

John 3:16 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

Jesus, who was worshipped by angels, stepped down from heaven to take the form of a simple baby.  Think about how helpless a baby is.  The King of Kings and Lord of Lords allowed himself to become totally dependent.  He humbled himself in true agape love.

The man who grew from the baby walked the earth – not as a mighty ruler – but as a poor teacher. He cared for the outcasts.

Then, without cause, he allowed Himself to become a sacrifice for our sins.  He suffered torture and disgrace for our sake – always with you and I on his mind.

Jesus demonstrated what Agape love looks like.

 

 

Journal Exercise

Identify examples of Agape love you have seen.

Identify times you have loved with agape love.

Write your thoughts about how much God loved you to be willing to leave heaven and take a human form for you.  The bible makes it clear that if you were the only lost sheep Jesus would have came just for you.

Luke 15

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Pulling Things Together
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Pulling Things Together

purposeunderheaven2 Comments

We have a nativity scene with a young woman and a baby in a manger.
A virgin will give birth as a sign.  Some argue the word means young women.  The word can be translated young women or virgin.  A young woman givng birth is not that much of a sign.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

And at her side is a man.  A man who trusted God and took the woman as his wife eventhough she was with child.

Matthew 1:

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lordappeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

Just as prophecied the babe was born in Bethlehem.

Micah 5

5 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.

2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

We see our man and woman traveling to Bethlehem from their home and while there she gave birth.

Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

Our Christmas traditions of trees, Santa, presents, even Shepherds and wisemen are all secondary to this very simple story.

The Holy Spirit created a baby in the womb of a woman and that woman would give birth to a a baby who would be God with us.  Emmanuel–God with us.  Matthew 1:23

Journal exercise

God’s plan over time was for that babe to come into the world and to form a bridge between man and God.

That Baby was God in flesh.

To me this is the wildest thought in the world.  Write what you feel about the idea that the creator of the universe came to earth in humblest form to a humble family in a small village in a stable with the animals.  The King of Kings stepped into a babies body.  He did all of this for you and me.