Countdown to Christmas - December 22, 2022

What is at the center of your Christmas celebration? The tree? Family? The food? Years ago, I was feeling a little meh about all of the seasonal trappings, and wanted to make a little more room in our inn for Jesus. I suggested we do something "different" with our Christmas tree. Before that thought gained traction, my husband voiced his opinion: he wouldn't hear of it. What he fails to realize is, prayer is my secret weapon. I don't fight, I pray. And, last year, no tree. We purchased a Moravian star and hung it above a ladder which we decorated. I grant you, it was still a focal point, but with less muss, less fuss, less time, less attention, and our nativity scene was equally as eye-catching. This year, at his insistence, our nativity is the main attraction. Winning! From the first time I decorated my own home for Christmas, I always had a nativity scene, but I'll be honest with you, it was usually one of those "homeless" sort of decorations. Where do we put this? Will it fit on top of the fridge? Put it next to the light up beer stein Aunt Paula sent us from Germany! God has changed my heart, however, and the birthday of Jesus is the reason I celebrate rather than a troubling reminder of what I'm supposed to be devoted to. It is the reason and the focal point of Christmas joy. 

On reading Matthew 1 the other day, I realized there is a figure in our nativity scenes we don't always acknowledge or, even, know what to do with: Joseph. He stands there, usually behind the manger, staring at The Babe. Reverent? In awe? Feeling a little displaced? Why is he there? To protect his adopted son? From what? And isn't God doing that? He is not the biological father-- no doubt that subjected him to all sorts of judgment and ridicule. In fact, it seems, as one of the major players in this tableau, he was the last to know; Matthew tells us Mary was "found with child" (v.18) before the angel showed up to clue Joseph in. Prior to that, Joseph clearly had reservations. However, Matthew says something very significant in his description of Joseph:

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

Joseph was a just man. The Amplified Version says he was "just and righteous." The Complete Jewish Bible says he was "a man who did what was right." Joseph was a man living in accordance with Jewish law, with God's law. He was leading a covenant life with his Creator. He was obedient. I want you to see this: God's law tells us what is and isn't sin so that we might be protected against harmful behavior. God's law reveals the consequences of sin, and assures us it is impossible to work our way toward a righteousness acceptable enough to God, commanding us instead, to seek the righteousness of Christ found at the cross. By following God's law, Joseph had developed a heart inclined toward good things, righteous things. In Hosea 10:12, the prophet tells Israel to do righteous things, not in an effort to be righteous, but as they were waiting for God's Righteousness, Jesus, to come! In so doing, by obeying, they were preparing their hearts to recognize Righteousness when they saw Him. Two quick points before we get back to Joseph: 

First, John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way of Jesus and to urge others to be prepared as well. Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight! Wherever He will tread, wherever He will come to make His abode-- make those paths ready. Please don't read self-righteousness here-- far from it. The Holy Spirit draws us, but we need to listen to those inclinations. The longer we resist, the more hardened our hearts become; which leads me to the second point.

As a parent, I sometimes required my child to do things, things that to them may not have made much sense. Why make my bed if I'm just going to get back in it later tonight? Doing those things taught them to obey, to do the things they might not see as valuable because I was telling them to do them. It inclined their hearts toward being compliant. Had I dropped the issue out of frustration the first time they objected, I would have been teaching them to complain and rebel.

So, back to Joseph. His heart was prepared. He had an obedient spirit. Matthew never explains, "Joseph was so in love with Mary, he couldn't divorce her." Instead, Matthew tells us that Joseph was so in love with God's law, he was ready to see the face of Jesus. He was willing to trust the words of the angel, endure whatever ridicule or danger, and care for this young girl and her Child because of the path through his heart worn by obedience. The few remaining times we encounter Joseph in Scripture he is again being visited by angels and following God's instructions. Obedient. Righteous. 

When you encounter Joseph in your nativity scene this year-- Yes, pull it down off the fridge if you have to; it's okay --take an extra minute to look at Joseph. What's he doing there? He is the figure of a just life, a righteous life, a life lived in preparation to see Jesus, the Fulfillment of the Law.

Merry Christmas!

Countdown to Christmas - December 19, 2022

If you haven't made out your Christmas list by now, that horse just might be out of the barn. I remember years ago, our children submitting addendums to their lists on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve! Apparently, they'd seen items long after their lists and their previous addendums had been filed, and they were hoping that in the few remaining hours before Christmas morning, there was still some chance of their wishes being fulfilled. And, although as adults we may have a better concept of time, isn't that how it works with us as well: we see something that looks appealing and wonder how we can get our hands on just the same thing. Our economy would collapse if we didn't all long for something we needed or thought we needed.

So, here we are, it's Christmas, the season we celebrate Jesus, the Word, God, becoming flesh. We need a Savior, and by God's grace, His only Son, Jesus is the suitable propitiation. He came to earth, fully God and fully man, dying on the cross in our place that we might live for all eternity in His presence. But, getting back to the whole idea of seeing and longing for, there are more layers to this onion. Jesus is our example. 

1 Peter 1:21-24 says:

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

“Who committed no sin, 

Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

Ephesians 5:1-2 instruct us:

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

We are to act as He acted, love as He loved, and live our lives after the example He set for us as He walked this earth. Do we want that life, however? Are we seeking that life? On the Big Christmas Wishlist of Life is it there, front and center, first and foremost? 

1. A life just like Jesus Christ's

Jesus was not shy about telling folks the type of life He led: one that could leave a person with no roots, no family, no friends in this world. The things that tie us to our jobs, things like mortgages and car payments, are part of human existence but not necessarily part of the life lived in imitation of Christ. Do you long for that? Those societal dictums we in Western civilization follow so religiously: get a good job, family first, take care not to offend people. Are you yearning to leave all that behind? When Jesus pitched His tent with us right here on terra firma He was providing an example for us to follow and a life we can desire to live! As believers we should all be aspiring not just to live the kind of life Jesus lived while here on earth, but to dream of it! Each verse of the gospels should jump out at us as we read, causing us to pine for a life of selflessness and holiness. If others are supposed to look at our lives and want to know the One who has transformed our very being, how much more should we look at our Lord and Savior's lifestyle and long for a path like that?! What was it that caused those early disciples like Simon Peter and Matthew to immediately abandon their old lives to follow Jesus, and is it on your list?

Well, my Christmas list has been made, and this year it is extremely short. But after the Holy Spirit spoke this to me today, I think I'll be submitting an addendum. 

Merry Christmas!