Making the Cut

"And when the eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb." Luke 2:21

This is one of those Bible stories that never seems to make the cut when Christmas pageants, cantatas, and concerts are being produced. Sheep, goats, camels, elephants and elves have a better chance at making the cast of most church productions. You have to admit, there is something ironic about having the circumcision scene cut from the script.

"And when the eight days had passed before His circumcision,"
The sign of the covenant between God and Abraham was circumcision. The Bible records God initiating this union in Genesis 17:9-12. God established a bond between Himself and Abraham's descendants. This covenant was symbolized by the removal of the foreskin of every male child on the eighth day of their birth.

"This is My covenant which you shall keep, between me and you and your descendants after you; every male among you shall be circumcised...And every male among you, eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations."

The removal of this small portion of skin was a sign of the covenant. It symbolized the death of the flesh that must precede the release of the life of God in the people of the covenant.

Why eight days? Dr. S.I. McMillen, author of "None of These Diseases," reveals that Vitamin K is responsible for the production, by the liver, of an element called prothrombin. It is necessary for the clotting of blood. This is released throughout the intestinal tract of a boy during days 5-7 after their birth. They have the highest level of this element, and therefore the greatest blood clotting efficiency on day eight. After extensive research (trial and error), medical science discovered this fact in the 1950's. Dr. Abraham, relying on the Word of God, was 4,000 years ahead in the learning curve. Isn't it just like God to tell His children what is good for them and not tell them why. Rebellious children ask, "Why?" This delays obedience, and postpones blessing. Obedient children don't have to know why. They trust that "Father Knows Best."

"His name was then called Jesus..."
Joshua was a popular name, and therefore, a common name among the people of Israel. Joshua and Jesus are one and the same. They have been translated "Salvation" or "The Lord is Salvation," Joshua is the English version of Hebrew word, Yeshua. Jesus is the English word formed from the Greek word for Joshua. As the right hand man of Moses, Joshua was chosen by God to lead the people of Israel into the Land of Promise and defeat their enemies. He was honored as a national hero, a valiant warrior, a conqueror and a champion for his people. Jesus was going to be a conqueror, but on a level that the world had never seen before. There was nothing startling about His name. Men had given it to their sons before, and nothing had changed. When Jesus was born, the Romans were the latest occupiers of the nation of Israel. Many thought Jesus would push them into the sea, and restore Israel to a new level of prominence. God had a much greater vision for His Son.

"The name given by the angel, before He was conceived in the womb."
This is a reminder that Jesus was God's idea. Mary and Joseph were following the plan of God. They were willing instruments in His hand. However, the Christmas Story is not about them, because Jesus did not come from them. He was Heaven sent. He was born of a virgin, and therefore not man made. Mary held Him in her arms, but this passage reveals God's fingerprints were all over His life.

What is the big deal? The deal is big because Jesus was going to take circumcision to the next level. He was going to invite men and women to be partners in a new covenant. He was not going to promote the circumcision of the flesh, but the cutting of the heart. This had always been God's plan.

"The Lord your God will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God will all your heart, and with all your soul, so that you may live." Deut. 30:6

Jesus did not come into this world for people to fall in love with the Christmas season. He came to tell them of God's love for them. He died on the cross in order to show them how much God loved them. He rose from the grave to defeat sin, hell and the grave. He revealed God's love and His power to change a person's heart from sinner to saint.

This Christmas, don't forget that the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. God has given you The Perfect Gift. Is it time for you to give Him your heart. Your heart may be cold, or it may be broken. You may be approaching this merry season with mere cynicism. Exchanging gifts with God will make all the difference in your heart.

I remember the words of a Christmas card that I received years ago. It contained the words of a shepherd boy portrayed standing over the manger and looking into the face of the Christ Child. It said, "If I were a rich man, I'd do my part. Since I'm a poor boy, I'll give Him my heart."

Let Jesus come into your heart. He is able to make the cut that can remove the sin that separates you from God.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Greatest Gift of All

"But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart." Luke 2:19

"What is the greatest Christmas gift you have ever received, or most memorable Christmas?"
I asked this question of the members of the congregation of my first pastorate. The most interesting response came from the retired band director of Arizona State University. He recalled how as a boy he had always wanted a trumpet. His family was caught up in the financial collapse of The Great Depression, and money was very tight. His prospects of receiving a frivolous gift, when the family had to meet their basic needs, were remote. He was tremendously surprised on Christmas day, when his favorite uncle provided the ten dollars he needed to buy his first trumpet. That gift changed the direction of his life. He became an accomplished musician, Later he was called on in World War II to train bugler's, and to develop marching bands. When the war ended he was hired by the university, and spent thirty years developing their band program. He said that he often wondered what his life would have been like, if he had not received the gift of his first trumpet. That one gift changed his entire life. It put him on the road to a very fulfilling career, and a comfortable retirement. In 27 years of asking this question, I have never had anyone top his response. Ponder the question. Do you have a better one?

Mary treasured all "these things"she was experiencing, as the mother of the Son of God. Luke's account reveals her as someone who would ponder, weigh mentally, or think deeply about the things that God was bringing into her life. She would often meditate on the words she heard, the people she met, and the exciting events that God was unfolding. These were heavy thoughts, and she chose to consider carefully what God was doing. Apparently, she continued to do this from the day she conceived, through the nine months of pregnancy, during his first thirty years of preparation, and until the day Jesus performed His first miracle.

The first miracle of Jesus was the turning of water into wine. This decision has always made Southern Baptists a little nervous. We would have been more comfortable if he had turned whiners into tithers. Oh well, I digress. Back to Mary. She made a remarkable statement about her son to the servants of the wedding feast of Cana. The host family had run out of wine at the celebration, and were facing public embarrassment and ridicule. Mary came to Jesus, and told Him there was a problem. Jesus responded with a divine, "So what." He tells her His time to reveal His power had not arrived. She doesn't push. She went to the servants, pointed them to Jesus and said, "Whatever He says to you, do it." (John 2:1-12) The paragraph heading in my Bible entitles this passage, "The Miracle of Cana." In other words, the urgent problem was turned into the best wine. Jesus launched His public ministry, after hearing about the need from Mary, and getting a go ahead from God. This should be a prototype for Christ followers.

Mary must have made a number of withdrawals from the treasury of her heart, during the first thirty years of the life of Jesus. There is no biblical account of the conversations, but John's account reveals a unique bond between Mary and Jesus. Many times they had talked about His mission in life. When Mary brought the need of the wedding party to Jesus, she knew He had the ability to make a difference. How did she know that? She had either seen His power first hand, or she had heard Jesus talk about His growing awareness of His mission.

Mary's statement provides a window into the treasure room of her heart."Whatever He tells you to do, do it." She knew that there must be more to the Christmas story than the birth of Jesus. She was not privy to the timing of the launching of His mission, but she certainly had confidence in His ability to perform it. This was not the chutzpah of a typical Jewish mother. She had been dwelling on the importance of the life of Jesus for thirty years. She knew in her heart that there was more to the story than a baby in a manger. She lived with a holy expectancy for much longer than nine months. The real birth of Jesus began when He was thirty years old, and she was anxiously waiting for that day to come, when His purpose in life would be revealed.

If Mary was able to get over the miracle of the manger, then so should we. The Christmas Story points people to Jesus. It is the responsibility of Christ followers to lead people from the manger, and then the cross. The story does not end there. The resurrection of Jesus and His ascent into heaven is another chapter that must be shared with people in need of the greatest gift of all. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, and He is praying for His followers to tell the story that will prepare the way for His return.

What would you say is the greatest Christmas gift you ever received? This Christmas, make sure that you remember Jesus is "The Greatest Gift of All." Remind people Jesus is still in the miracle working business. If they tell you about a need in their life, follow Mary's lead. Go to Jesus on their behalf, and then point them to Jesus. You never know when Jesus will perform another miracle. He still does His greatest work in the lives of people who will do what He tells them to do. Pray for people in need, and point them to Jesus. He is "The Greatest Gift of All."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

GPS and ABC

"The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them." Luke 2:20

Global Positioning Systems, GPS, are all the rage. No matter where you are in the world, you can get where you want to go, and return home again. All you have to do is listen to your GPS, and follow the directions. It is still a matter of obedience. Nothing has changed much since the shepherds followed their angelic directions and made their way to Jesus.

The shepherds received a commission from the angel to go to a stable in Bethlehem. When the army of angels returned to heaven, the shepherds raced to the town, and followed the directions until they found the Child in the manger. What they did next is an indication of the impact that their encounter with Jesus had upon their lives. Luke's account says, "The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as had been told them."

Long before texting was invented, the letters PTL were used to express, Praise the Lord! When praise for God becomes so irksome that just saying the words are too burdensome, it is time for a fresh encounter with Jesus.

"Jesus is the Reason for the Season." I remember the first time I saw the bumper sticker with this announcement plastered on the car in front of me. The passengers were in a fight and the vehicle was filled with packages. Bumper stickers are not always proof of truth in advertising. Some of you will remember a sticker from the seventies, "Honk if You Love Jesus." Honking at a person with that label on their car never produced a positive response. If their hand gesture was any indication, they must have borrowed it or bought a used car.

When the shepherds left the manger, they went back to their work and their homes, glorifying and praising God. Their response is still the industry standard for those of us who want to make sure that Christ is put back into Christmas. There are many activities during this time of year that require great expense, and enormous effort. The test of whether these events are worthy of our energy is the response they produce in our own lives and those who participate in them.

The Christmas season should produce more than the comments,"What a party!", "What a pageant!", "What a sermon!", "What a present!", or "What a service!" All these are poor substitutes for, "What a Savior!" After all the animals have exited the building, the bathrobes and hay have been put away, the tree and lights taken down, there just has to be something more left behind than 'festival fatigue."

If you have lost your way in the celebration of Christmas, you might want to turn to God's GPS...Glorifying Praising Shepherds. They lead us away from a self-absorbed obsession with pageants, presents and parties, and take us back to the root system of the Christmas tree...glorifying and praising God for sending His Son to be our Savior.

Glorifying and praising God for His Perfect Gift is not limited to a season of the year or expressed by a single style of worship. It is a way of life that confronts our secular culture with a sacred perspective, no matter what. Praising God in difficult circumstances and unexpected conditions is only possible when there is a consistent companionship with Jesus. The fruit of keeping Christ in Christmas comes out of the overflow of an unbroken connection with The Root, every day of the year.

Glorifying God means that everything we do and say reflects well on Who He is. Praising God means that we honor His character and His contributions to our lives in spite of the conditions that around us. If glorifying and praising God has not been on your Christmas list, there is till time to do some shopping. My friend, John Caster, keeps me updated on the latest Christmas trivia. His most recent report informed my that the 12 days of Christmas don't begin until Christmas Eve. See there is still plenty of time to get back to the basics of glorifying and praising God. You might want to turn on God's GPS and begin with your ABC's.

Ancient of Days, Alpha and Omega, Advocate
Bridegroom, Born of a Virgin, Blood of the Lamb
Comforter, Creator, Counselor
Defender, Daystar, Deliverer
Eternal, Edifier, Elohim
Friend, Faithful and True, Father of Lights
Good, Guide, Great, Giver
Holy, Helper, Healer
I AM, Invincible, Intercessor
Jehovah Jireh, Judge, Jehovah Nissi
King of Kings, Kinsman Redeemer, Keeper
Lord of Lords, Life, Light
Maker, Mercy, Master
Name Above All Names, Near, Nazarene
Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, One True God
Prince of Peace, Paraclete, Power
Quickener of the Dead
Rock of My Salvation, Redeemer, Rest
Savior, Sustainer, Shelter,
Teacher, Tester, Truth
Uplifter of my head, Unleavened
Victor, Vindicator, Vision
Way, Warrior, Wonderful
X = Christ
Yahweh, Yoke Master,
Zion's Hope and Soon Coming King

Reminding ourselves of Who God is fills our hearts until it has to be poured out on others. The shepherds went back to their work and homes glorifying and praising God after they encountered Jesus. When you are lost in the maze of malls, and mushy sentimentality turn on God's GPS. The shepherds got with Jesus and the encounter changed them from the inside out. Jesus can do the same for you today. It is a simple as A, B, C.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A Wonderful Life

"So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds." Luke 2:16-18

Christmas is not officially celebrated at our home until we have gathered our girls around the Yuletide TV and watched the Frank Capra classic, "It's a Wonderful Life." We love to watch Jimmy Stewart's portrayal of a man who comes to the end of his rope, and turns to God for a solution. Don't swallow everything that is served from the screen. Just like fish, eat the meat and spit out the bones. Angels aren't accurately portrayed, but from beginning to end, the movie provides an image of the power of persistent prayer. Take time to watch an uncut version of this film and you will see as positive a presentation of prayer as Hollywood has ever produced. The title says it all. Life and wonder are meant to be two sides of the same coin.

People long for wonder in their lives. When God sent forth His son to be born of a virgin, He did not mean for His children to create a celebration that would smother the Child in wrapping paper. The shepherds set the standard for contemporary Christ followers. Luke's account says, "They made known the statement which had been told to them about this Child." Simple statements about the purpose of the birth of Jesus can go a long way to introducing people to the wonderful life God has in store for them. Jesus said, 'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) This Christmas make sure you don't rob people from hearing how they can receive God's greatest gift...JESUS!

A witness is someone who tells people about what Jesus has done in their lives and leaves the results up to God. The Bible says, "...all those who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds." (Luke 2:17b-18) All the people who heard the shepherd's story may not have believed it, but they were amazed by it. Everyone who hears the Christmas story today will not believe it. Whether they believe it or not, the story should not be watered down. When we tinker with the message it becomes a wonderless mush of maudlin sentimentality and mind-numbing "to do" lists.

What is wonder? It is the invasion of heaven into the heart of man. It is an encounter of the miraculous with the mundane. Wonder releases the self-absorbed cynic from the prison bars of his soul. Perpetual and pointless navel gazing is replaced by a childlike awe at the hand of God at work in his life.

People who are prone to wander are usually searching for wonder. The world always offers a lure that looks better than the real thing: entertainment for joy, money for peace, lust for love. The lure looks very inviting because the hooks are hidden from view. Male PMS has been described as an obsession with power, money and sex. Trolling for a wonderful life in these waters is dangerous. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Money cannot buy class,, and looking for love in all the wrong places leads to disastrous results. Men who have it all, usually lose it all because they find that life has no meaning at all...without Jesus. Two words: Tiger Woods.

There is a hunger in the lives of people at this special time of the year. Their hearts yearn for a life that is filled with the same kind of jaw dropping wonder that people had when they first heard about the birth of Jesus. The real Christmas story has always scratched an itch for wonder in the lives of those who hear it. When the story edits out the death, burial and the resurrection of Jesus, His birth loses its worth. He did not come to earth to establish a birthday celebration. His mission was to commission God's children to make disciples, not to make merry. Dumbing down the original message robs people of the wonder that God wants his children to have in their lives. People are watching your life and looking for the difference only Jesus can make. Never lose the child like wonder and awe at the love of God for you. Remember, God's Perfect Gift was not sent to you because you deserved a Savior, but because you needed one. That's why it is called amazing grace. Pretty wonderful, huh? If you have grown calloused handling the holy, tell someone about the love God as for them through His Son, Jesus. They may not believe the Christmas story, but they will be amazed by it. It will soften your heart and your hands, and you will wonder at the warmth of God's love for you, all over again.

"The world will never believe in a religion in which there is no supernatural power. A rationalized faith, a socialized church, and a moralized gospel my gain applause, but they awaken no conviction and win no converts." Samuel Chadwick

The wonderful life begins with the wonder of Jesus. Go tell it on the mountain!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
 

The Exact Truth

"When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, 'Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.' So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger." Luke 2: 15-16

What is missing in this picture? Where is the star? Where are the wise men? Where are the Christmas presents of gold, frankincense and myrrh? Did Luke fail to do his homework, or did the eyewitnesses just not recall all the events of when he interviewed them. In his introduction, Luke said, "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught." Luke 1:1-4

The witness is challenged in the court of law to place their hand on the Bible and swear to "Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So help me God." Bearing false witness to the Christmas Story is done by well meaning Christians all the time. It is most often done in their live nativity scenes.

Several years ago, I was meeting with a pastor and he told me he was looking for a camel, and wondered if I could help. I told him I could offer him a light, but that I had stopped smoking "Camels" a long time ago. He wasn't amused. He had a real dilemma. His church had advertised that they were hosting a live nativity scene for the week preceding Christmas. People were going to be coming from all over the county and drive by the stable they had built next to the church. He needed a camel to stand next to the wise men at the manger scene. Like a moth to the flame, I ventured into a debate with him on the need for accuracy in bearing witness to the Christmas story. He seemed genuinely surprised that the Bible does not place the wise men at the scene, on the night of the birth of Jesus. When Jesus was born at the stable, and placed in manger, the shepherds came running, but the wise men were still two years away from arriving to pay their respects.

This may not be a huge deal, but is it too much to ask that Christians tell the story just the way it happened? Hollywood takes alot of heat from the Christian community for doctoring or tinkering with biblical accuracy of a Bible story any time they produce a homogenized version of the milk of The Word. We always need wise men. However, if they show up at the stable, they are scene crashers who do not belong in the picture. The shepherds' costumes can't hold a candle to the multicolored robes worn by the three kings bearing gifts. They always get overshadowed at any nativity scene. They also look a little cheap for not stopping at "BETHMART" to pick up a little something for the baby. Let's get it right people.

Vance Havner was fond of saying, "It doesn't matter how high you jump when you are in church. It matters how straight you walk when you leave it." Dr. Havner would have loved the shepherds. After the angels left them, they proved to be quick learners. They had not just heard the message, they received it.

The shepherds ran straight to Jesus. They didn't get detoured by any distracting celebration. They set the pace for future generations. Anyone interested in putting Christ back into Christmas must be willing to admit that the celebration has collected quite a bit of baggage over the years. The focus on Christmas presents, cards, lights, parties, cantatas, pageants, nativity scenes and a host of other seasonal activities should not detour a Christ follower from being a true witness. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6) No camel is needed to get people to Jesus. Get the picture?

The shepherds ran to Jesus. The account in Scripture says, "So they came in a hurry." Running to Jesus is a great way to live. The shepherds set the pace for any Christ follower who desires to underscore that Jesus is the reason for the season. People are watching Christians all the time. They will not follow people running around in circles. They are already dizzy, all by themselves. If they look at a Christian's life, they should not have any trouble finding Jesus. Too often our lives do not offer much hope. When people are looking for The Light, we dont' need to offer them a camel.

One night I was sharing Christ with one of my neighbors, and I received a wake up call that had a powerful impact on my life. Dana and I had invited a couple to dinner in our home, and later that evening I had a chance to talk to the husband about Jesus. He listened to what I had to say, and he was appreciative of it. He admitted he needed a new sense of direction, and was so glad I had taken the time to explain to him how God loved him so much that He sent Jesus to save him. Then he said, "You know, I have been without work for a while. Because I am restless, I can't sleep. It leaves me awake late at night and up early in the morning. I have been watching you since you moved into the neighborhood. You are up and out the door before daylight, and often you are out of the house and gone for hours in the evening. I told my wife, that I needed a job, but I sure don't want the one that guy has. I didn't know what you did for a living. All I knew was it looked to me like a terrible way to live." These were sobering words for a pastor. He had seen me absorbed in keeping a church running, and it didn't impress him a bit. It wasn't until I pulled out of the "religious rut" that I had any success at pointing him to the Prince of Peace.

Could it be possible that people are really interested in meeting Jesus during this season? Have we covered up His Presence with all of our Christmas baggage? Take a look at your calendar, and your check book this week. Are you celebrating His birthday or throwing a party for yourself? When Jesus came the first time, there was no room for Him in the inn. The greater tragedy would be that 2,000 years later there would be no room for him in His church. Let's make sure that people who follow our lead will be able to find their way to Jesus.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Suddenly

"And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Luke 2:13-14

Suddenly is one of my favorite words in the Bible. God is not limited by time and space, but there are times I grow impatient with His pace. One of the most often quoted platitudes people share with me is, "God is never late." I have to admit it has provoked a cynical thought, and a caustic reaction from me over the years, "OK. Got it, but He is seldom early."

God seems to specialize in taking me to His waiting room, and bringing me to the end of myself. Once I become convinced that I am not in control, and I yield my plans into His capable hands, He moves quickly. God can do more in five minutes with my availability than I can do with 50 years of my ability.

Luke seems to have taken a page out of Mark's play book. His synonym for the sudden way God sometimes implemented His plans was "immediately." Check it out.

• "Immediately coming out of the water, He saw the heavens opening..." Mark 1:10
• "Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness..." Mark 1:12
• "Immediately they left their nets and followed Him." Mark 1:18
• "Immediately He called them..." Mark 1:20

See what I mean? Mark was a man who could see God at work in the present tense. Some people are convinced that God will always carry out His will with snail like perseverance, but never with a sudden, spontaneous explosion of His power.

The angelic messenger punctuated his message to the shepherds with a wall of sound resonating from the voices of the army of God. It must have been a soul stirring and spine tingling experience to hear rank upon rank of angels shouting at the top of their lungs. This was not a candlelight cantata or a contrived laser show at some bale of hay and a bath robe pageant. The "heavenly host" describes the legions of loyal angels bringing what they do in heaven to the hills of Bethlehem. This was an ancient army of warriors releasing centuries of pent up praise.

The praise of the "heavenly host" revealed the close relationship God desires to have with His people. He was worthy of angelic praise, but He finds pleasure in bringing peace on earth to His children. God sent an invading army of angels to announce His desire to establish peace in the lives of men of good will. If you are at war with God, lower your rebel flag. The war is over.

"Praising God" is the main reason angels exist. They often serve as messengers of God and guardians of men, but extolling, honoring, and glorifying God is job one before an audience of One. You might want to tune in to the Army-Navy game some time and listen to the yell practice that they engage in before the kickoff. The cadets of Army and the midshipmen of Annapolis are able to forge their voices into an awesome sound. The broadcast does not do it justice, but it is still an awe-inspiring exhibition.

In February 1996, I attended the Promise Keepers Clergy Conference in Atlanta. There were 60,000 representatives from a wide range of denominations and church disciplines. One of the speakers asked us to stand up, and take a moment to get acquainted. He asked us to shout out the name of our church or denomination, when he counted to three. With good humor, everyone gave a simultaneous shout out. It was total confusion. It was loud, boisterous, and utterly incomprehensible. Without missing a beat, he asked us to remain standing, and shout out The Name, The Name that was above every other name. He counted to three, and everyone in the Georgia Dome thundered, "JESUS!" It was a breathtaking moment. The memory of what I heard almost 14 years still sends a chill down my spine and warms my heart at the same time. I had never heard anything like it. The conference leader pointed out that our first response is what the world hears, when Christians glorify their invention more than Christ. He challenged us to make sure that we would never lose our focus on Who God had sent into the world to transform the world into a giant "Lost and Found."

The Christmas season is a great time to lift up the name of Jesus. Denominational differences, and church schisms have fractured the lens of our magnifying glass. Too often people who need to hear about Jesus are never introduced to Him, even in church. A style of music is glorified or a tradition is magnified, but Jesus is not lifted up. I know lost people cannot worship. I get that. However, they may not be able to speak words of praise, but they certainly are able to hear God's people praise Him, and see the reflection of His glory on their faces. When the angels shouted out praise to God, they did not have their nose in a hymnal or their tongue wrapped around their favorite chorus. They were not extras in a pageant or window dressing for a cantata. They were serious minded warriors banding together in a unified force of praise that pointed people to God as the source of peace for their lives. "Glory to God in the Highest!"

There are only 16 shouting days until Christmas. It may be kind of sudden, but here it comes,

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Here's Your Sign

"In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And the angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' " Luke 2:8-12

A contemporary country comedian has made a career out of three little words, "Here's Your Sign!" The shepherds outside of Bethlehem received a similar announcement from the angel of the Lord. Their fear of the messenger was their first obstacle to receiving the message from God. This is a common reaction recorded in all the Scripture accounts I have read about angels delivering their messages. I sometimes think that "FEAR NOT" is the first statement angels are taught to memorize in flight academy. They use it every time they come face to face with a fear stricken recipient of a message from God.

This was not the first time God had sent for a shepherd to be a part of what He was doing in Bethlehem. The angels found the shepherds carrying out a time honored occupation, outside of the city of Bethlehem. These fields were the same ones where David had served his father Jesse as a shepherd boy. God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to find the next king He had chosen to replace Saul. Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel, but he said to Jesse, "The Lord has not chosen these." Samuel asked, "Are these all the children?" Jesse reported, "There remains yet the youngest and behold, he is tending the sheep." Samuel commanded, "Send and bring him here." When David was brought before him, the residents witnessed David being anointed by Samuel to become God's choice for the next King of Israel. (I Samuel 16:9-11)

Bethlehem had a great history. As the birthplace of a great king, the City of David held a place of prominence among the people of Israel. However significant that historical fact may have been to them, not much had happened there lately. Their eyes were fixed on their past, but God was up to something new.

What is the significance of the shepherds receiving an angelic birth announcement? Perhaps they were chosen because sheep require a shepherd, night or day. They were faithfully carrying out their responsibilities while others slept. They were the tip of the spear in the fight for protection of their flocks. We know that King David never forgot his shepherd boy roots, and King Jesus was to be called The Good Shepherd. The fact is they were chosen to receive a message of hope in the middle of the dark of night. Isn't it just like God to be all about sending a beam of light into the darkness to give His people a glimpse of His glory. God must love the little people of this world. He made so many of them.

"This will be a sign for you." The shepherds were given a sign to point them to Jesus. The Christmas season serves a similar purpose today. The trick is to make sure the sign doesn't become a substitute for the real thing. My Dad, Don Miller, often shares his personal proverb, "Never let the system overshadow the Savior."

In June of 1987, my family was visiting Arizona's spectacular Grand Canyon. We were standing on the rim admiring the view when I heard the screech of tires and brakes. A family from New York had almost rammed their car into the sign. The father jumped out of the vehicle swearing at his wife and kids to get over next to the "Welcome to the Grand Canyon" sign for a picture. He took a snapshot, and swore at them to get back into the car. They drove off in a cloud of dust and left a vapor trail of disbelief on the faces of everyone who witnessed the scene. The had stopped at the sign, and missed the wonder of God's creation. They could tell their friends they had been to the canyon, but they had never really experienced the beauty of it. Truth really is stranger than fiction.

I have thought about that Grand Canyon scene many times over the past 22 years. God help us to have the discernment to know when we are settling for a snapshot of a sign, when God wants to unfold the majestic landscape of His grace. Christmas is a wonderful time of the year to put the system on pause and reflect on the love God has for you personally. I know you believe in God, but this is a time to remind yourself that God believes in you. His message to the shepherds was meant for you too. "There has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Can I get a witness?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Fullness of Time

"And it came about, that while they were there, (Bethlehem), the days were completed, for her (Mary) to give birth." Luke 2: 6

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph!" I can still remember the first time I heard those words combined as an expression of profanity. I was a fifth grader at Main Street Elementary School in Farmingdale, New York. Dad had recently moved us from Dallas, Texas to Long Island, New York where he was to be pastor, church planter, and evangelism director for New York, Northern New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and all of New England. I can still picture the boys at the old Home Mission Board in Atlanta coloring in the northeast section of the map, and saying to each other, "Well, Don Miller has that covered. Let's do lunch."

One of the most colorful parts of my life was spent in New York public schools. Swearing was an art form that I was familiar with, but these people had taken it to a whole new level. I had to admit that I had never heard anyone at O.M. Roberts Elementary School in Dallas taking the Lord's name in vain in such a way. When this expression was drenched in a truly toxic "Loongisland" accent it was a highly creative combo of the sacred and the profane. Who knew it could be Christmas every day of the year.

Paul wrote to the Galatians and used the phrase, "In the fullness of time." The translators of the 17th Century King James Version used it to express the culmination of a long awaited season or event, and the juncture of the sacred and the profane. "But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4-5)

Several years ago, I developed an understanding of the word HOPE, by using the memory peg, H-Having, O-Our, P- Perspective, E-Elevated. God's plan unfolds before our eyes when we have a perspective that can rise above the dust and debris that accompanies the intimidation of immediate circumstances. One of Satan's favorite tools is "the intimidation of the immediate." He cannot stop God's plan from unfolding, but he can frighten God's children into closing their eyes and miss what He is doing. The Christmas story is not limited to the Gospels. God's redemptive plan runs from Genesis to Revelation. There is no separation between "holy" history and "secular" history. God orchestrates events that impact and influence people to carry out His will whether they believe in Him or not. When things look their worst is when God may be doing His best. When Roman soldiers were marching through Israel there were precious few people who could see any good in it.

"The fullness of time" refers to more than the nine months that Mary carried the hope of the world in her womb. When Jesus was born, God had been preparing the way for His mission a very long time. The prophet Daniel had foretold of a coming kingdom that would not be the result of the work of man. The rabbis believed The Messiah was to emerge during the rule of the Romans. The birth of Jesus was the ultimate junction between the sacred and the profane. God does not wait for a perfect time to do His best work. The same God that plundered the Egyptians to equip His children for their journey to freedom, also prepared the way for the freeing of people from their sins by using the Pax Romana.

What the prophets declared, the Romans prepared. When "the fullness of time" came, the world was ready for a movement of God like never before. Under the relentless pursuit for land, and power, Roman legions had marched to the far corners of the known world. They had set the stage for people of all nations to receive the message of God's love that Jesus was sent to deliver.

PAX ROMANA. Roman Peace meant that the seas had been swept clean of pirates. Ships in the Mediterranean could sail from port to port, and arrive safely to their destination. This meant that the message of redemption would spread like wild fire, when the Holy Spirit sparked the flames at Pentecost. There was an exceptional system of roads that connected the cities. Missionaries carrying the good news of Jesus could expect protection from Roman authority, as they moved from town to town. The Greek language was common to all the countries conquered by Rome. It was adopted by the Romans for the efficient conducting of trade, but God would baptize it to enhance the international communication of the gospel message. The most important element was the spiritual bankruptcy that was rampant in the Roman world. The Romans had hijacked the Greek gods, and given them new names, but it was the same old story. Although there was an official recognition of the religious system, it had no life-changing power for the conquerors or the conquered.

Whenever intimidating circumstances blind you from seeing what God is up to in this world, give Him the benefit of the doubt. God is always preparing the way for His people to have a way to communicate His love to a new generation of people in need of a Savior. We still live in 'the fullness of time." God does not need perfect conditions in order to impact people with His Presence. He only needs people who still believe Jesus and His church are the hope of the world. Remember the four words for hope. Having Our Perspective Elevated? Helps, doesn't it? When you greet someone with the words, 'Merry Christmas," you are carrying on God's legacy of sending the sacred to transform the profane, and giving people the hope of Christ in the middle of their intimidating circumstances. Say it one. Say it all.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Read the Script

"And it came about that while they were there (Bethlehem), the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first born son, and she wrapped him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 1:6-7

I still love Christmas carols, and I am a fan of singing them more than one time of year. Two of my childhood favorites remain close to my heart today. "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Away in a Manger."

Phillips Brooks, 19th Century American pastor and poet, penned the words to "O Little Town of Bethlehem" on a trip to the Holy Land. They still have no peer. "Yet in thy dark street shineth, the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight." "Away in the Manger" was a song that I sang at my oldest daughter's bedside when she was tiny. Night after night, I would kneel by her bed and sing a medley of essential tunes that would calm her heart and ease her into a restful sleep. I guess I should tell you the order of worship was, "Itsy Bitsy Spider" followed by "Jesus Loves Me" and a finale of "Away in a Manger." Today is her birthday. It is early in the morning, and she is asleep on the couch, while I am typing this in the dark. Lots of memories flooding out of my eyes. Got to stay focused.

Recently, Dana and I visited Hot Springs, Arkansas. Along with another city in the state, there was a sign alerting us of the their proud status as the hometown of one of their favorite sons. This city was thrown under the bus a few years ago, when sonny was being introduced to the nation as a potential president. I guess the campaign bio, "A Man from Hope" had a better ring to it for Middle America than, "Some Like it Hot." Focus. Focus.

Bethlehem, The City of David, was proud of its legacy as the birthplace of Israel's greatest king. David, the warrrior-poet, and father of King Solomon, was still revered and honored by the inhabitants, and those who claimed to be his descendants. Nothing made them prouder, except the prophecy that proclaimed this city would have the honor of birthing The Messiah. He would be the champion that would push the Roman invaders into the sea, and restore the Kingdom of Israel to prominence and prosperity once again. In Psalms 132: 11, God promised David that the fruit of his body would rule over Israel. Bethlehem would be the root for the fruit. "But as for you, Bethlehem...from you One will go forth for Me to be the ruler of Israel." (Micah 5:2)

Bethlehem literally means "house of bread." Jesus referred to Himself as "The Bread of Life." This is not a coincidence, but reveals God's attention to detail. The Word of God is a gold mine of truth, and there are nuggets waiting on the pages of the Bible waiting for someone to pick them up. Don't step over dollar bills to pick up nickels. Here's what I mean.

Every year it seems some pageant or cantata author has to reveal some obscure drop of insight they have squeezed out of a reservoir of Scripture overflowing with truth. A brief statement, "Because there was no room for them in the inn.", becomes a launching pad for an overactive imagination. The obvious message of the Christmas story is then hijacked by a dramatic presentation that speculates about the life of an imaginary inn keeper, or a poor shepherd boy, or even a donkey. More focus is given the imaginary than the real. Before the secularists get hammered into submission to put Christ back into Christmas, shouldn't the church take the lead?

One year, a Cecil B. Demille wannabe came to me almost hyperventilated with a script based on the "truth" they had just been "given by God." They were convinced the donkey that carried Mary into Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus was the same one that He rode when he entered Jerusalem, on the day of His triumphal entry. My response was, "What does the Bible say?" You see, the Bible never says Mary rode a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. This is sheer conjecture. She apparently walked like everyone else. This may explain why people arrived at the "Holiday Inn" before she did, and "there was no room for them in the inn." After the Scripture search did not validate what they had written, they were crestfallen. I didn't try to rub it in, but I did have to ask, "What's the life expectancy of a donkey anyway? At 33 years of age, would it be in shape to carry a grown man, or would it need to be dragged into town." Yeah. Your right. That was rubbing it in. I was younger then, and I wouldn't do it again. Note: Read God's script. No rewrites will be needed.

It's Sunday, and time for church, so let me wrap this up. The story of a baby cradled in a feeding trough and wrapped in torn cloth is inspiring. However, the manger was never meant to be the main point. The cradle was always in the shadow of the cross. The Christmas carol, "Away in a Manger," needs to be followed up by the old Christian hymn, "At Calvary." Jesus is more than a favorite son of Bethlehem. He is the Savior of the world. God intended for His Son to be born in the city of David, but He never commanded His people to celebrate His Son's birth. They were commissioned to keep the main thing, the main thing, and tell the world about the love of God given to them through Jesus. Putting Christ back into Christmas means getting Jesus out of the manger, onto the cross, out of the tomb and into our hearts. This year celebrate the real Christmas story with a focus on His death, burial and resurrection. HO! HO! HO! HOSANNA!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Remembering the Forgotten Man

"And Mary stayed with her (Elizabeth) about three months, and then returned to her home." Luke 1:56
"Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child." Luke 2:1-5

Dr. Luke does not fill in all the blanks for us about one of the key players in the Christmas story. Between returning home to Nazareth and leaving for Bethlehem there is a six month period of time. Luke fails to mention the reaction of Joseph to the condition of Mary, when she got home from the city of Judah, three months pregnant. We have to turn to Matthew's account to discover two passages that tell us more about the man God used to protect and provide for His Son.

The first focal passage reveals Joseph's connection to the blood line of the kings of Israel. Matthew contains the crescendo of the genealogical grand finale listed in Matthew 1:1-16. "And to Jacob was born Joseph, the husband of Mary, by whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ (The Messiah). Therefore all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the time of Christ fourteen generations." (v. 16-17)

Family trees are fascinating. In the mid-seventies, "Roots", a TV miniseries chronicled one man's search for his ancestors that took him all the way back to Africa. Millions of people tuned in, and later conducted their own search for significance by tracing their lineage as far back as they could go. Matthew traces the lineage of Jesus all the way back to Abraham. When you shake this family tree some unlikely fruit drops from the branches. This account includes a conniving scoundrel, a prostitute, a pagan, a womanizer, and a murderer sitting on the tree limbs along with heroes and heroines of faith. It is a real mixed bag of fruit.

A quick study of your own heritage will probably reveal some ancestors that you would hate to have show up at the next family reunion. Dad's side of the family came from Wales, France, and Germany. Mom's family heritage is Irish. Her dad was a diminutive, red-haired Irishman named Cavanaugh who changed his name to Reynolds, when he moved from New York to Mississippi. He never told her why, and she didn't ask. Some things you just don't want to know. Her mother was a Callahan from Mississippi. All of their genealogical records were destroyed in a home fire when mom was a little girl. We think we had family sneak into the USA through the ports of New York and New Orleans, and apparently had family fighting on both sides of the battle at Gettysburg. You can see my own family is a Heinz 57 mixture. Dad was from Pennsylvania. Mom was born in Mississippi. They met in Louisiana. They were married in Florida. After WWII, Dad saw a star in the west, and moved to Texas. All four of their kids were born under the Lone Star. Wise men still follow the star. I like to say we are an All American Family.

The Jews placed tremendous importance in their blood lines. Matthew includes the genealogical account to document Joseph's clear connection with the royal lineage of King David. The Messiah was prophesied to be a child that would come from the line of David. Joseph was the earthly link with royal blood, and Mary provided the heavenly connection with the throne of God. This was a huge reference to the fulfilling of the Scriptures, regarding the coming of the Messiah.

The second passage reveals Joseph's character. "Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her, desired to put her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name, Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.' " (Matthew 1:18-21)

Joseph was within his rights to put Mary away. When she returned to Nazareth, after her three month visit with Elizabeth, her pregnancy was impossible to hide. This was a clear violation of the covenant agreement of their betrothal. For one year, they were to have the legal status of husband and wife, but they were not to engage in sexual intercourse. This would jeopardize the legitimacy of the marriage and the offspring. They were to be chaste with one another, and most certainly they were not to be sexually promiscuous with anyone else. This would be the ultimate deal breaker.

If the pregnancy was an honor for Mary, it was a humiliation for Joseph. Apparently, Mary did not try to explain to Joseph what the angel had said to her . She must have known if her pregnancy was hard for him to process, the explanation of it would be impossible for him to believe. Joseph knew he was not the father of the child, but the rumor mills of Nazareth were running red hot with the scandal. He was being burned in spite of his innocence. God intervened for Mary, and sent an angel to speak to Joseph in a dream. The Word of God came to him on one of those restless nights that must have had him tossing and turning with a broken heart. His response to the angel's message was a model of trust and obey. "And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took her as his wife, and kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus." (v. 24)

The man God chose to shelter, and feed His Son was a man of integrity, and compassion. Joseph chose not to take offense at something that was highly offensive to him. The Bible says, "being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her, (he) desired to put her away secretly." This reveals a great deal about the heart of the man God would trust to nurture His Son. The private pain and public humiliation that he was experiencing was real, and yet he chose to respond rather than react to it. He may not have understood what God was up to in Mary's life, but he chose not to use his moral superiority as a whipping post for his fiance's moral failure. His first response was to protect the one he loved the most in the world. Even if she had wronged him, and exposed him to scandalous attacks, he would not let her be publicly humiliated. When the angel's message clarified what was going on, he got in on it. Trauma without drama is a sign of strength. He let God take a hopeless situation and give him a new perspective on it. He may have been shaken by the facts, but he was now confident of the outcome. This was a righteous man, indeed.

Joseph is the role model to follow when we think we have all the facts, and we are about to react to them. At first glance, Mary's pregnancy had to look like the worst news a man could ever receive. Joseph was in danger of adding up one and one and getting three. This was a new math, and he needed a tutor to help him come to the right solution to the problem he was facing. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Joseph had the facts, but he didn't know what they meant. Wisdom is the capacity to know the facts, and understand what they mean. FACT #1: Mary was pregnant. FACT #2: Joseph was not the father. FACT #3: This is terrible news. See what I mean? Mary's pregnancy was really GOOD NEWS. God usually delivers His greatest gifts packaged in the strangest wrapping paper. Joseph almost missed out on God's best, by being a good man. He chose not to disgrace Mary. God wanted him to embrace her. He would be her rock, and Mary would rock the child. God has a role for all of us to play. When He writes the script, we can be confident the story has a happy ending.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!