After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2
Yesterday I shared that there is some thought that the three wisemen were named Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar. Please remember that I have no idea if this is true - we are using a lot of imagination during these three days as we think about these three kings.
It is said that Caspar came from India, which is over 2,400 miles from Bethlehem. It's interesting to imagine that the three kings came from different parts of the east, meaning that at some point, following the star, they came to the same point at the same time and continued on their journey together. That would truly be just like God - to bring these three like-minded men, who would have all been wealthy, learned, and powerful - to a place where they would want to humble themselves to worship this tiny King, together.
However, most believe that they were Babylonians, Persians, or Jews from Yemen, as the kings of Yemen then were Jews. Most likely, they were from Babylon, which was the center of Zurvanism (see yesterday's post), which would also mean the center of astrology. They may have retained their knowledge fromt he time of their Jewish leadership by Daniel. [Information in this paragraph was obtained from wikipedia.com.] If they were together, traveling from Yemen, they still had to span a distance of over 1,200 miles!
Whether the kings were from the same place, or all different places, do you see what a miracle it was for them to come together, to risk hardship, death and more, to see this child? They knew for sure they were coming to see a baby, or very small child, because they asked King Herod, where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?
Kings don't often humble themselves. They don't often take great risks. Kings don't often seek to worship another king. To do so would be to admit that they themselves weren't the center of the universe. In most royal societies, it was assumed that the king was on the throne because either a) he was god or b) God himself put him there.
So to see these three kings travel so far, for so long, taking so many risks, is truly amazing. It can only be a God-ordained event.
The wisemen are important to the Christmas story because they show us the importance of humility, from the foot of the manger to the foot of the cross. Paul wrote to the Galatian church about how we are all the same - "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28"
This baby, born to poor parents, born in a barn, born with no dignity, no grandeur - He was born so that kingly men could bow down and worship. He was born so that homeless men could bow down and worship.
He was born so that I could bow down and worship.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
The Twelfth Person of Christmas is Melchior
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:11
Over the next three days, we are going to be using our imaginations a lot, as we talk about the three wise men, these three kings from the east.
Do you know that Matthew is the only book that mentions these kings. And he does not say there were three men - he simply mentions three gifts. There could have been two kings - or eight! In fact, eastern tradition says that there were twelve! But for this week's discussion we are going to safely settle and agree with the tradition of three.
We know so little about them. The bible never mentions their names; however, history and church tradition call them Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar. In fact, there is an Armenian tradition that identifies them as each being from a different country: Melchior from Persia, Caspar [or Gasper] from India, and Balthasar from Arabia.
The term magi refers to the priestly caste of Zoroastianism from the old Persian empire. [You can read more about this religion at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism.] As part of their religion, these priests paid particular attention to the stars, and gained an international reputation for astrology, which was at that time highly regarded as a science. However, some argue that it was astronomy, not astrology, that was their focus.
Regardless, they studied the stars. And there was something about this star that was special. Something about this star made these three men want to leave everything behind and follow it!
You know, if they truly came from three different countries, then they didn't plan this trip together. Rather, they separately ended up united for this amazing journey. At what point they met - we don't know. Oh, there's so much we don't know!
Today, let's talk about Melchior. If it is true he is from Persia - which is modern day Iran - he would have traveled roughly 1,000 miles to see the Christ child. That's a long way to go, right? In fact, though most of our nativity scenes show the kings kneeling right alongside the shepherds, in the stable, Jesus was probably two years old before Melchior saw him.
Do you find it ironic that this king of Persia went to all this trouble to see a baby who was, basically the creation of Christianity?
Most people today would consider Iran to be an enemy to Christianity. Would you agree?
Isn't it just like God to use such irony to teach us about His character . . . it doesn't matter where you come from. It matters where you are going. Your baggage doesn't matter. Your background doesn't matter. All that matters is that you are really, sincerely, looking for Him.
The three kings are an important part of the Christmas story. I'll summarize fully on the third day, but for now, let me say - the fact that we don't know much about them is important. It allows us to wonder, to imagine. It allows us to say - no matter who you are, or where you come from, there is room for you.
Over the next three days, we are going to be using our imaginations a lot, as we talk about the three wise men, these three kings from the east.
Do you know that Matthew is the only book that mentions these kings. And he does not say there were three men - he simply mentions three gifts. There could have been two kings - or eight! In fact, eastern tradition says that there were twelve! But for this week's discussion we are going to safely settle and agree with the tradition of three.
We know so little about them. The bible never mentions their names; however, history and church tradition call them Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar. In fact, there is an Armenian tradition that identifies them as each being from a different country: Melchior from Persia, Caspar [or Gasper] from India, and Balthasar from Arabia.
The term magi refers to the priestly caste of Zoroastianism from the old Persian empire. [You can read more about this religion at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism.] As part of their religion, these priests paid particular attention to the stars, and gained an international reputation for astrology, which was at that time highly regarded as a science. However, some argue that it was astronomy, not astrology, that was their focus.
Regardless, they studied the stars. And there was something about this star that was special. Something about this star made these three men want to leave everything behind and follow it!
You know, if they truly came from three different countries, then they didn't plan this trip together. Rather, they separately ended up united for this amazing journey. At what point they met - we don't know. Oh, there's so much we don't know!
Today, let's talk about Melchior. If it is true he is from Persia - which is modern day Iran - he would have traveled roughly 1,000 miles to see the Christ child. That's a long way to go, right? In fact, though most of our nativity scenes show the kings kneeling right alongside the shepherds, in the stable, Jesus was probably two years old before Melchior saw him.
Do you find it ironic that this king of Persia went to all this trouble to see a baby who was, basically the creation of Christianity?
Most people today would consider Iran to be an enemy to Christianity. Would you agree?
Isn't it just like God to use such irony to teach us about His character . . . it doesn't matter where you come from. It matters where you are going. Your baggage doesn't matter. Your background doesn't matter. All that matters is that you are really, sincerely, looking for Him.
The three kings are an important part of the Christmas story. I'll summarize fully on the third day, but for now, let me say - the fact that we don't know much about them is important. It allows us to wonder, to imagine. It allows us to say - no matter who you are, or where you come from, there is room for you.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
The Eleventh Person of Christmas is Joseph's Angel
An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20 - 21
We are not told this angel's name, as we are in Mary's and Zechariah's stories. He could be the angel Gabriel, also, but . . . I like to think not. I like to think that Joseph, in his exceedingly unique position, would have his own unique messenger.
He might have been another archangel, such as Michael. We know that they are often sent as holy messengers. I really have no clue.
But here's what I do know.
This angel had a brotherhood with Joseph. He had a kinship. He seems like a big brother - watching, waiting, protecting. Protecting not just Joseph, but the entire family. Mary. This tiny baby.
Remember, as I shared when I talked about the angel Gabriel - these angels already knew Jesus. They had known Him, probably, for thousands of years. So this angel had more than just obedience to God going on here. He had a personal, vested interest in keeping this family safe.
And so he stayed with Joseph, continued to communicate with him, guide him.
It starts in Matthew 1, with the verses, above. He, like Gabriel, tells Joseph what to name the baby, He comes back in chapter 2, warning Joseph to run from Herod.
Now we get to what I really love about this story, about this angel. Matthew 2:13: "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” Until I tell you. That's quite a promise! It's one thing for a heavenly messenger to come and give you a message from God. It's another thing when he comes again! But it's an entirely crazy, chaotic, passionate thing when the angel says, I've got your back. I'm staying around, I'm watching out for you, and I'll let you know what to do next.
Can. You. Imagine. Can you imagine the sense of urgency this angel had, the way he might have spoken to Joseph? The first time, he would have been comforting, full of grace and love. This time, I think he was in full warrior mode!
"Joseph. Joseph!! Get up! You must run. Run, Joseph!! Take Mary and the baby and run!! Go to Egypt, and don't leave until I tell you. Let's go - let's go!"
This unnamed angel is important to the Christmas story because he shows us the real, immediate danger this little family was in. And yet, he also shows us how God was there, the whole time, watching, working, moving. He didn't leave His Son and His parents in a dire predicament without hope, with no way out.
He gave them protection. He gave them angelic warriors to comfort them, guide them.
You know what? I can't wait to meet this angel one day.
We are not told this angel's name, as we are in Mary's and Zechariah's stories. He could be the angel Gabriel, also, but . . . I like to think not. I like to think that Joseph, in his exceedingly unique position, would have his own unique messenger.
He might have been another archangel, such as Michael. We know that they are often sent as holy messengers. I really have no clue.
But here's what I do know.
This angel had a brotherhood with Joseph. He had a kinship. He seems like a big brother - watching, waiting, protecting. Protecting not just Joseph, but the entire family. Mary. This tiny baby.
Remember, as I shared when I talked about the angel Gabriel - these angels already knew Jesus. They had known Him, probably, for thousands of years. So this angel had more than just obedience to God going on here. He had a personal, vested interest in keeping this family safe.
And so he stayed with Joseph, continued to communicate with him, guide him.
It starts in Matthew 1, with the verses, above. He, like Gabriel, tells Joseph what to name the baby, He comes back in chapter 2, warning Joseph to run from Herod.
Now we get to what I really love about this story, about this angel. Matthew 2:13: "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” Until I tell you. That's quite a promise! It's one thing for a heavenly messenger to come and give you a message from God. It's another thing when he comes again! But it's an entirely crazy, chaotic, passionate thing when the angel says, I've got your back. I'm staying around, I'm watching out for you, and I'll let you know what to do next.
Can. You. Imagine. Can you imagine the sense of urgency this angel had, the way he might have spoken to Joseph? The first time, he would have been comforting, full of grace and love. This time, I think he was in full warrior mode!
"Joseph. Joseph!! Get up! You must run. Run, Joseph!! Take Mary and the baby and run!! Go to Egypt, and don't leave until I tell you. Let's go - let's go!"
This unnamed angel is important to the Christmas story because he shows us the real, immediate danger this little family was in. And yet, he also shows us how God was there, the whole time, watching, working, moving. He didn't leave His Son and His parents in a dire predicament without hope, with no way out.
He gave them protection. He gave them angelic warriors to comfort them, guide them.
You know what? I can't wait to meet this angel one day.
The Tenth Person of Christmas is Joseph
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. Matthew 1:24
Read carefully the accounts of Jesus' birth in Matthew and Luke. Do you see what I see? Do you notice anything? Maybe something about Joseph?
Joseph, the man chosen to be the earthly father of the Son of God . . . never speaks. Not a word. There is no recorded testimony from him in the biblical record.
I find that so interesting! What we see from Joseph, then, is a man of character, a man of obedience, a man of action .
When Mary told him she was pregnant, Matthew writes, "Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly." [1:19] This was a man who had every legal right to shame and shun Mary, but we see his character in that he wanted to handle this matter discreetly, quietly.
When the angel said to him, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit," [1:20] Joseph "did what the angel of the Lord commanded." By all appearances, he immediately took Mary as his wife. There's no record of him consulting with his parents, or the priests, or even his friends. He simply and quietly obeyed God.
After Christ was born, an angel came again to Joseph, warning him of a plot to kill the baby: “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” [2:13] Matthew tells that Joseph got up that very night and took his family to Egypt. He quietly jumped into action and protected his family.
Do you see a theme here? Joseph might not have been a quiet man; he might have had a loud, booming voice with an infectious laugh. But I also see a man who didn't argue with God; a man who obeyed without second thought; a man who didn't seek out opinion or validation from others.
That's a man with a quiet grace. That's the kind of [wo]man I want to be! Joseph's life, the small amount that we know of it, teaches us about humility, grace, and a gentle and quiet spirit.
Joseph is important to the Christmas story, because - although he had nothing to do with the conception of the Messiah, this baby - he had everything to do with keeping him safe, with his very life! Yes, God could have simply eradicated this baby's enemies with a wave of his hand. But . . .
But what an honor for Joseph, that God allowed him to protect His child. In turn, God allowed Joseph to honor Mary, and church and historical tradition account for many more children together, and although it seems Joseph died years before Mary, there is no reason to think that their marriage was not good, holy, unique.
I wonder - the moment Joseph the father came face to face with God the Father. You know, my imagination can run wild, but I can just see Joseph running to God, thanking Him for this precious gift, this life he was chosen to lead. I can see him turning, and seeing his son - his Son! - in all his radiant glory. I almost see Joseph take a step back in awe, and stumble, and Jesus reaches out to steady him. And that embrace that follows - oh that embrace! I hear Joseph telling God, and Jesus - thank you. Thank you.
And I hear Jesus saying . . . thank you, Father. Thank you for obeying OUR Father and for raising me and loving me and protecting me.
Do you realize that no one else in the history of man will ever have this same experience? Just Joseph. And although he never spoke in these stories, his character, obedience and action speaks louder than any words.
Read carefully the accounts of Jesus' birth in Matthew and Luke. Do you see what I see? Do you notice anything? Maybe something about Joseph?
Joseph, the man chosen to be the earthly father of the Son of God . . . never speaks. Not a word. There is no recorded testimony from him in the biblical record.
I find that so interesting! What we see from Joseph, then, is a man of character, a man of obedience, a man of action .
When Mary told him she was pregnant, Matthew writes, "Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly." [1:19] This was a man who had every legal right to shame and shun Mary, but we see his character in that he wanted to handle this matter discreetly, quietly.
When the angel said to him, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit," [1:20] Joseph "did what the angel of the Lord commanded." By all appearances, he immediately took Mary as his wife. There's no record of him consulting with his parents, or the priests, or even his friends. He simply and quietly obeyed God.
After Christ was born, an angel came again to Joseph, warning him of a plot to kill the baby: “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” [2:13] Matthew tells that Joseph got up that very night and took his family to Egypt. He quietly jumped into action and protected his family.
Do you see a theme here? Joseph might not have been a quiet man; he might have had a loud, booming voice with an infectious laugh. But I also see a man who didn't argue with God; a man who obeyed without second thought; a man who didn't seek out opinion or validation from others.
That's a man with a quiet grace. That's the kind of [wo]man I want to be! Joseph's life, the small amount that we know of it, teaches us about humility, grace, and a gentle and quiet spirit.
Joseph is important to the Christmas story, because - although he had nothing to do with the conception of the Messiah, this baby - he had everything to do with keeping him safe, with his very life! Yes, God could have simply eradicated this baby's enemies with a wave of his hand. But . . .
But what an honor for Joseph, that God allowed him to protect His child. In turn, God allowed Joseph to honor Mary, and church and historical tradition account for many more children together, and although it seems Joseph died years before Mary, there is no reason to think that their marriage was not good, holy, unique.
I wonder - the moment Joseph the father came face to face with God the Father. You know, my imagination can run wild, but I can just see Joseph running to God, thanking Him for this precious gift, this life he was chosen to lead. I can see him turning, and seeing his son - his Son! - in all his radiant glory. I almost see Joseph take a step back in awe, and stumble, and Jesus reaches out to steady him. And that embrace that follows - oh that embrace! I hear Joseph telling God, and Jesus - thank you. Thank you.
And I hear Jesus saying . . . thank you, Father. Thank you for obeying OUR Father and for raising me and loving me and protecting me.
Do you realize that no one else in the history of man will ever have this same experience? Just Joseph. And although he never spoke in these stories, his character, obedience and action speaks louder than any words.
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Ninth Person of Christmas is John
Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. Luke 1:66
I struggled with whether or not to include John in our list. He was just an infant when Jesus, his cousin, was born.
But oh, John is so important to this story.
Remember what the angel Gabriel said: "He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God." And Zechariah himself prophesied concerning his son: "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him . . . "
Even Luke, the writer of this book, proclaims about John at the end of chapter 1: "And the child grew and became strong in spirit [or in the Spirit]; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel."
God created John for a very special role: to prepare the way for the Messiah. John was called to get people ready, to prepare their hearts for the King.
It's such a good lesson for us all, today. Re-read the verse, above: the child [John] grew and became strong in the Spirit. God calls us all for important work. But He doesn't expect or even want us to do it on our accord, of our own strength. He gives us everything we need to do our job. He literally puts the nail in one hand, the hammer in the other, sets us before a board, and all we have to do is swing.
John lived to become strong in the Spirit. He prepared himself before he ever tried to help his people prepare their hearts.
It seems to me that John the Baptist knew exactly who he was, and was bold in his calling. He knew what his role was. He didn't tangle up God's will verses his. He didn't confuse his ambition or agenda with God's. He simply lived the life God called him to live.
It wasn't an easy, or glamorous life. He lived in the wilderness! He died a horrible death. But the way he lived, the way he died, tell us a lot about God. It tells us that God has a special role for each one of us. It tells us that relying on God's strength, instead of our own, is the only way to get through. And it tells us that no matter how special or great we may think we are . . . we are simply humble servants, whose thoughts, deeds, and words should point to the Messiah.
John is important to the Christmas story, because his life exemplifies the calling of God on each Christian. In John 3:30, John said, "He must become greater; I must become less." That's one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible. It's the summary of John's life. He was created to teach us, to show us, that our lives serve as a message, whether we purpose to do that or not. The message is there. What does your message say?
Our hearts must be ready to receive Him. And while we do the leg work, it's God who does it all.
I struggled with whether or not to include John in our list. He was just an infant when Jesus, his cousin, was born.
But oh, John is so important to this story.
Remember what the angel Gabriel said: "He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God." And Zechariah himself prophesied concerning his son: "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him . . . "
Even Luke, the writer of this book, proclaims about John at the end of chapter 1: "And the child grew and became strong in spirit [or in the Spirit]; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel."
God created John for a very special role: to prepare the way for the Messiah. John was called to get people ready, to prepare their hearts for the King.
It's such a good lesson for us all, today. Re-read the verse, above: the child [John] grew and became strong in the Spirit. God calls us all for important work. But He doesn't expect or even want us to do it on our accord, of our own strength. He gives us everything we need to do our job. He literally puts the nail in one hand, the hammer in the other, sets us before a board, and all we have to do is swing.
John lived to become strong in the Spirit. He prepared himself before he ever tried to help his people prepare their hearts.
It seems to me that John the Baptist knew exactly who he was, and was bold in his calling. He knew what his role was. He didn't tangle up God's will verses his. He didn't confuse his ambition or agenda with God's. He simply lived the life God called him to live.
It wasn't an easy, or glamorous life. He lived in the wilderness! He died a horrible death. But the way he lived, the way he died, tell us a lot about God. It tells us that God has a special role for each one of us. It tells us that relying on God's strength, instead of our own, is the only way to get through. And it tells us that no matter how special or great we may think we are . . . we are simply humble servants, whose thoughts, deeds, and words should point to the Messiah.
John is important to the Christmas story, because his life exemplifies the calling of God on each Christian. In John 3:30, John said, "He must become greater; I must become less." That's one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible. It's the summary of John's life. He was created to teach us, to show us, that our lives serve as a message, whether we purpose to do that or not. The message is there. What does your message say?
Our hearts must be ready to receive Him. And while we do the leg work, it's God who does it all.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
The Eighth Person of Christmas is Zechariah
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. Luke 1:68-75
Zechariah's song, after nine months of silence, is one of joy and thanksgiving. He praises God for the horn of salvation - a phrase symbolizing a strong king - and for mercy, righteousness and holiness. This is prophecy - and Zechariah certainly knows who he is speaking about!
Can you imagine his true joy and excitement, to be filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesy about the coming Messiah? The soon coming baby - his relative - who was the soon coming king?
Then he speaks about John:
The Holy Spirit has come upon Zechariah in such a tender way. His praise for God, turns into joy for his son, and the role John will play in God's mighty - yet strikingly simple - plan.
I wonder if he understood the plan. I wonder if he understood the prophecies. Could he foresee the humble life his son would lead? Could he foresee the horrific death he would suffer? Could he even begin to see the way Christ would lay down his life, for all man, for all eternity?
When the angel Gabriel came to Zechariah in the temple, to tell him his prayers had been answered, and his wife would have a son, Gabriel's message was so clear: "He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
That's quite an angelic message! Not just the promise of a child - but a joy. Not just an answer to prayer - but an anointing of God's power and purpose in his life.
John was clearly to be a special child, a special man.
So were his parents.
Zechariah is important to the Christmas story because his song of praise and thanksgiving points us to the role of John the Baptist. John was created - it was even foretold - to prepare the way for the Christ. It was his mission in life, the purpose of his life.
Don't we all share in that message - to tell the world about the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God?
Zechariah's song, after nine months of silence, is one of joy and thanksgiving. He praises God for the horn of salvation - a phrase symbolizing a strong king - and for mercy, righteousness and holiness. This is prophecy - and Zechariah certainly knows who he is speaking about!
Can you imagine his true joy and excitement, to be filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesy about the coming Messiah? The soon coming baby - his relative - who was the soon coming king?
Then he speaks about John:
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God...
The Holy Spirit has come upon Zechariah in such a tender way. His praise for God, turns into joy for his son, and the role John will play in God's mighty - yet strikingly simple - plan.
I wonder if he understood the plan. I wonder if he understood the prophecies. Could he foresee the humble life his son would lead? Could he foresee the horrific death he would suffer? Could he even begin to see the way Christ would lay down his life, for all man, for all eternity?
When the angel Gabriel came to Zechariah in the temple, to tell him his prayers had been answered, and his wife would have a son, Gabriel's message was so clear: "He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
That's quite an angelic message! Not just the promise of a child - but a joy. Not just an answer to prayer - but an anointing of God's power and purpose in his life.
John was clearly to be a special child, a special man.
So were his parents.
Zechariah is important to the Christmas story because his song of praise and thanksgiving points us to the role of John the Baptist. John was created - it was even foretold - to prepare the way for the Christ. It was his mission in life, the purpose of his life.
Don't we all share in that message - to tell the world about the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God?
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The Seventh Person of Christmas is Elizabeth
“The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” Luke 1:25
Would you like to join me in an imaginary dinner party? Sitting around the table would be women from Biblical history and beyond, all sharing how God gave them their hearts' desires - a baby. Sarah would be there. Hannah, too. Elizabeth would hold center stage. I would be there, and many of my friends, too. Wouldn't you love to hear their stories? Some, like Sarah, would share that at first they didn't believe, they couldn't believe! Some, like Hannah, would laugh as they told stories of how people thought they were crazy to think she could get pregnant.
Then I imagine the conversation grows quiet as Elizabeth shares her story.
I imagine her wistful smile as she shares that in her case, God didn't come to her, or send an angel to tell her the good news. Instead, His angel went to her husband, Zechariah, in the temple. I imagine the tears in her eyes as she contemplates how God used His holy place to share this holy news.
I think her smile grows as she tells how Zechariah ran home, and using sign language or some other communication, tells her about this amazing visit and their good news! I like to think she even giggles as she remembers Zechariah's speechlessness, his pantomime retelling of his story.
Then perhaps her eyes widen as she shares the moment she realized she truly was pregnant. The tears of joy, now spilling down her face, simply create a glow on her countenance, as she struggles to find the words to share that moment. And all of us at the table nod, in complete understanding, for we have all had that moment of wonder and joy.
Then I think she stands, unable to contain her excitement, as she shares how her baby leaped in her womb the moment she sees Mary, her pregnant cousin, carrying the Messiah. I think the words we read in Luke 1 are words she now sings to us:
As she sings the words, her voice changes to a whisper: why am I so favored? How am I so blessed?
Elizabeth returns to her place at the table, and we are all quiet for a moment, contemplating the goodness of God for generations upon generations. We are all thinking about our children, these babies who became men and women, some strong for the Lord . . . others not. Some women are crying tears of mourning; some tears of joy. But we are all crying together, sharing this moment, gathering strength from each other.
Then Elizabeth begins to share who her boy grew to be. How he became known as John the Baptist, the voice crying in the wilderness - that's right, the prophet Isaiah even told about him, her son! - the one who came to prepare the way for the Messiah.
She shares how painful it was for John to die such a horrible death, but her overwhelming, everlasting joy at sharing eternity with him, with her family, her cousin - the Messiah was also her cousin! - and of course, God, her heavenly father.
Elizabeth is important to the Christmas story, because her son would give testimony to the coming of the Christ, the Messiah, our Redeemer. Her story - which, just like Mary's - is a miraculous example of grace and hope, tells us about God's character. Elizabeth's story exemplifies the love God has for us, His desire to give us our desires, and His overwhelming, ever reaching plan for the world. To give His only Son, that we might have eternal life.
Would you like to join me in an imaginary dinner party? Sitting around the table would be women from Biblical history and beyond, all sharing how God gave them their hearts' desires - a baby. Sarah would be there. Hannah, too. Elizabeth would hold center stage. I would be there, and many of my friends, too. Wouldn't you love to hear their stories? Some, like Sarah, would share that at first they didn't believe, they couldn't believe! Some, like Hannah, would laugh as they told stories of how people thought they were crazy to think she could get pregnant.
Then I imagine the conversation grows quiet as Elizabeth shares her story.
I imagine her wistful smile as she shares that in her case, God didn't come to her, or send an angel to tell her the good news. Instead, His angel went to her husband, Zechariah, in the temple. I imagine the tears in her eyes as she contemplates how God used His holy place to share this holy news.
I think her smile grows as she tells how Zechariah ran home, and using sign language or some other communication, tells her about this amazing visit and their good news! I like to think she even giggles as she remembers Zechariah's speechlessness, his pantomime retelling of his story.
Then perhaps her eyes widen as she shares the moment she realized she truly was pregnant. The tears of joy, now spilling down her face, simply create a glow on her countenance, as she struggles to find the words to share that moment. And all of us at the table nod, in complete understanding, for we have all had that moment of wonder and joy.
Then I think she stands, unable to contain her excitement, as she shares how her baby leaped in her womb the moment she sees Mary, her pregnant cousin, carrying the Messiah. I think the words we read in Luke 1 are words she now sings to us:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
As she sings the words, her voice changes to a whisper: why am I so favored? How am I so blessed?
Elizabeth returns to her place at the table, and we are all quiet for a moment, contemplating the goodness of God for generations upon generations. We are all thinking about our children, these babies who became men and women, some strong for the Lord . . . others not. Some women are crying tears of mourning; some tears of joy. But we are all crying together, sharing this moment, gathering strength from each other.
Then Elizabeth begins to share who her boy grew to be. How he became known as John the Baptist, the voice crying in the wilderness - that's right, the prophet Isaiah even told about him, her son! - the one who came to prepare the way for the Messiah.
She shares how painful it was for John to die such a horrible death, but her overwhelming, everlasting joy at sharing eternity with him, with her family, her cousin - the Messiah was also her cousin! - and of course, God, her heavenly father.
Elizabeth is important to the Christmas story, because her son would give testimony to the coming of the Christ, the Messiah, our Redeemer. Her story - which, just like Mary's - is a miraculous example of grace and hope, tells us about God's character. Elizabeth's story exemplifies the love God has for us, His desire to give us our desires, and His overwhelming, ever reaching plan for the world. To give His only Son, that we might have eternal life.
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