Tag: Christmas

Immanuel: the power of “with us”

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” – Matthew 1:24

During the Christmas season (during any season really), it’s easy to get so busy that we forget that God wants to be “with us”. Between parties and meetings and shopping and food preparation, this time of year becomes a whirlwind of activity, all of which becomes a distraction from the celebration of the One who came two thousand years ago.
Recently at church, we were singing the song, Emmanuel, by Mat Kearney and David Reed, and I was overwhelmed with the power of this idea, that God sent His Son to be “with us”. So many religions and philosophies require us working our way out of our issues or trying to achieve a certain status, but God knew that we could never earn our way back to Him so He provided a new way. Ephesians 2 reminds us that God isn’t looking for our own efforts, but He is responding to His own love for us and making a way for that relationship to be restored. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us… made us alive together with Christ…”
I’m so thankful for that! Take some extra time today to be alone “with God” and remember that He’s “with us” all the time, even in the midst of our busyness. Let’s not be too busy to realize that.

O Little Town…

In addition to my own Advent Reading plan, we are doing one with our girls from the Jesus Storybook Bible. Last night’s reading sparked a connection for me that I’m not sure I ever made before.

In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel goes out, at God’s direction, looking for a new king. God sends him to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem. There he doesn’t find a king among Jesse’s mature, strong, handsome, older sons, but among the youngest, who was out caring for the sheep. David wasn’t even worthy to be invited to meet the prophet when he came to visit.

 

Much later, shepherds and wise men were told that a baby had been born in Bethlehem and that this baby would be the anticipated king, the Messiah They didn’t find him in a palace, but in a humble stable. Once again, Bethlehem provided the backdrop for a king who would be used by God to serve His people. And this time, it was for ALL people. Thank You, Lord!

Unlikely sources

Matthew’s Gospel tells the story of “wise men from the East” who came to worship Jesus and brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I was doing some research this morning on the “Magi” as these men were called.

I was initially thrown for a loop as Wikipedia cites numerous discrepancies in the traditional Christmas telling of the Nativity. I’ve known for years that Scripture doesn’t say there were only three and it doesn’t look like their visit took place at Jesus’ birth like the shepherds, but after Jesus was a little older.

But these men, who in my mind were kings from afar who came to show honor to a newborn king, are actually thought to be “astrologer-priests”, followers of Zoroaster. The Greek word here even ties to other Scriptural accounts of “sorcery” and connects to the word we use now as magic. WHAT? I don’t get it. Astrology, Magic, Sorcery? These are things which in my traditional background are considered far from God. Certainly, these men who bowed at the feet of Jesus were not involved in those affairs.

And even as I’m sitting on my couch, confused, it becomes crystal clear. God can and will use ANYTHING to lead people to Himself. I have a friend who felt like he met God over a physics textbook. I grew up in a religious tradition and knew God from an early age, but He used a girl’s t-shirt in a mini-mart during college to get me back on a path of pursuing Him completely. What did He use in your life?

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen…” – Romans 1:20

Related links:
1. Praying for Three Wise Gifts
2. Obedience of Joseph
3. Humility of Mary