Dwight told me a story about how when he was young, one of his younger sisters insisted that since Jesus is here year round, Christmas music celebrating His birth is appropriate year round. So, Dwight’s mom closed the windows so the neighbors wouldn’t wonder about them and put the records on to share the news of Christ’s birth. Truly He has come and will return again, but how about now? Does it look good to you now? Celebrating Jesus never gets old, the greatest gift by far. Do you give thought to today and the possibility of the trumpets sounding and the clouds descending with Christ there? Or is it just another day of a list of things and group of tasks and no joy. I know that I tire of the constant battering of things. Spend some time in prayer, praying for all who need it. The need is great and it is reassuring that those concerns and hurts are being heard.
Micah 5:2-5 2)”But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” 3)Therefore He will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has borne a child. Then the remainder of His brethren will return to the sons of Israel. 4)And He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will remain, because at the time He will be great to the ends of the earth. 5)This One will be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land, when he tramples on our citadels, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight leaders of men. Okay, some of this is pretty straight forward, but I did a little research on this last part. Those that will rise up against this destructive force are the seven shepherds: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David. The eight leaders/princes: Jesse, Saul, Samuel, Amos, Zephaniah, Zedekiah, the Messiah and Elijah. It makes sense when you think about those shepherds, they did do just that, shepherd people in their time. This last group which includes Jesus reveals what is to come and who, those that we know of in the Bible from what we have been told are there to help Jesus rule.
Luke 1:46-55 46)And Mary said; “My soul exalts the Lord, 47)And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48)”For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. 49)”For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is HIs name. 50)”AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. 51)”He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. 52)”He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble. 53)”He HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; and sent away the rich empty-handed. 54)”He has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, 55)As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.” High praise as Mary recounts the things that God has done for her and her people.
Hebrews 10:5-10 5)Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, ‘SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU HAVE NOT DISIRED, BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME; 6)IN WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICES FOR SIN YOU HAVE TAKEN NO PLESURE. 7)”THEN I SAID, ‘BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME) TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.’” 8)After saying above, “SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS AND WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND SACRIFIECES FOR SIN YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, NOR HAVE YOU TAKEN PLEASURE IN THE.”(WHICH ARE OFFERED ACCORDING TO THE LAW). 9)then He said “BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. 10)By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And there, in Christ’s words, why He came, why He needed to come.
Luke 1:39-45 39)Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah. 40)and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41)When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42)And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43)”And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44)”For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45)”And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” The Holy Spirit is active, it is alive in all of us. Imagine the building excitement and concern that Mary had as she entered here only to be hearing what was said.
We have a few days to go before Christmas, I hope you are planning a trip to Church. But when next you are sitting traffic or waiting in line, send a prayer up, think about this greatest gift. Steps forward count.
Through Christ, Seek God,
D.J. Schoneweis