Reality of the Story

Ok, so we know that Jesus was born. We also know that before that, Mary and then Joseph were given a message from God about what this child was all about. The Messiah, the Savior, the one that would rescue the world. But what happened in the months in between these two events? Mary went and visited Elizabeth, who was to be the mother of John the Baptist. But other than that, we know nothing about what happened in those interim months.

My curious mind wants to fill in the gaps with what happened. Did Mary stay with Elizabeth a long time? Maybe go back and forth to visit her. Did they live close by each other? We know that Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth (Luke 1:36). We also know that Elizabeth’s husband Zachariah was a priest serving in the temple (Luke 1:8-9), so they most likely would have lived in or around Jerusalem. According to Google maps, which I’m sure Mary would have used, they are 64 miles apart and it would take 31 hours to walk there. That would be a two to three day walk. Was Mary there when John was born? I would like to know what the conversations between the two were in those days.

Then there are the questions of things back home in Nazareth. I realize clothes in those days were not as tight fitting as they are now day, but did Mary hide the pregnancy? Obviously it was going to be known if not beforehand, then afterwards. Remember Joseph was going to quietly divorce her to not expose her to public disgrace (Matthew 1:19). Did people look down on her in judgment? What was it like for her to go out into public if it was known? I don’t know these things, but I can only imagine what it was like to deal with these things. Real people called by God to partake in things beyond this life, while still living out their daily lives.

Isn’t that what we are, real people. Individuals called by God to know that this life is temporary, to know that there is something greater. No, I haven’t been called by God in a dream, or visited by an angel, but I have been spoken to by God, through His word. I know God so loved the world that Jesus was sent to save us (John 3:16). I know He came into this existence in human form and lived a life just like us (John 1:14). I know I am loved by God.

With this “beyond this life” knowledge, how do I go about living my daily life in this world? Seeking what I want? Chasing after accolades and material possessions? Do I put up with things because I know there is something greater? Mary and Joseph were real people who knew something those around them didn’t. They lived a life that allowed others to know the Savior. We may not have the Savior born into our family, but if we have been born into the Savior’s family, we have a responsibility. Don’t get caught up in the spirit of the season, but live out the reality of the reason.

Reality can be hard,

Randy

Preparation

Ah yes, the time of year when all sorts of preparations are being made. It could be for the trip you will be taking around Christmas. Maybe it is the meal you will be preparing as family and friends come over to your home. It could be getting all of the Christmas decorations up, or the shopping that needs to be done before the 25th rolls around. Regardless of what the event, you are or will soon start thinking about how you are going to get it all done.

As I read what we call the Old Testament, I have always seen it as a time of preparation of sorts. Yes, my favorite aspect of reading it is watching the interaction of God with His people for thousands of years. How they messed up time and time again. How God was always there when they turned back to Him. Well, really He’s there before they turned back as we see in the parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke’s Gospel. How block headed and stubborn I can be at times. How I fail again and again. I am no different than they were, and God was, and is, always there.

This preparation is confirmed by Paul in his letter to the Galatians when he writes that the old law was there to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Under the old law Leviticus chapter four tells us that when we are made aware of sin, a sacrifice must be made. It goes on to say blood must be shed in order for those sins to be removed. The writer of Hebrews confirms this, saying that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). We see how a Priesthood was set up, a High Priest was to be chosen each year from requirements presented by God. Hmmm. . . doesn’t the writer of Hebrews mention again and again about the idea of a new Priesthood. Taking us back again to the idea of preparing man for the entrance of a Savior.

I don’t live under the guidelines of the old law and what came before the arrival of our Savior into this world. I do look and read it with amazement as what our Heavenly Father was preparing for hundreds of years. The details that maybe weren’t understood at the time, though very important. The situations that may make me go “What?!” until I understand the overall plan that it was a part of. God is always at work preparing situations, preparing us as a part of His overall plan. We may not always see it when we are in the middle of a situation, but looking back, as we do with the Old Testament, we see His perfect plan.

What has God been preparing you for this Holiday Season? What situation have or will you be put in to share His love? What person has been put in your life for you to show God’s love to, maybe to ask them to come to services with you, or ask what you can keep in your prayers for them? What situation is there for you to ask, to shine, to love, to glorify God by your actions? God had prepared the world for His Son. As we are preparing for a very commercial holiday, let’s think about the situations God has put us in, how He has prepared us and let’s take the opportunities to share!

Prepared to Serve,

Randy

ADVENT

“The arrival of a notable person, thing or event,” is one definition of advent. “A coming into place, view or being an arrival” is another. A third would be “the coming into being or use.” Regardless of where you go the definition is similar, a coming or arrival. Starting December 1st we come into what is known as the Advent Season, twenty-four days of anticipation of what the world considers the arrival of a notable person. I know December 25th isn’t Jesus’ actual birthday, but there is no denying He would be considered a notable person, someone whose arrival should be celebrated.

Now if you are like me you had an Advent Calendar growing up. I didn’t think of it that way. I just remember the candy that was behind every slot we opened each morning! Holly took a little different approach, purchasing a reusable cloth calendar where each year she would fill the slots with treats or family activities. And once the kids were grown and out of the house, well it was adapted for the dogs--with puppy treats in it each day. Either way, it was the countdown to a notable event--the time when our culture celebrates the birth of Jesus.

I want to encourage you to have an Advent Calendar of sorts, starting December 1st and running until the celebrated arrival of our Savior into this world. Now this calendar would be a little different, though it would be connected with treats. They would not, however, be treats that are extremely pleasing to our pallets, but pleasing just the same. As with the reusable one Holly had, this also would require some planning ahead. Plan each day through the Advent Season to do or say a kind thing to someone. Maybe you pick a person for each day and send them a text, email or note. Maybe you go out of your way to call or stop by, just to say you appreciate them. Maybe, well you are probably more creative than I am, you come up with something else to do. Regardless do an Advent Calendar of Kind Words or Deeds.

Another way you could go about this is in prayer. Pick a person to pray for each day during this time. Maybe it is someone who you have heard is struggling physically or spiritually. Maybe it is a number of friends who you care very much for and you just want to remember them in prayer this season. This is also something you could do as a family, sitting down at some point in the day to just pray, which is hard to do in the fast paced lifestyles we seem to have; but, what a treat to your family to spend this time together!

Whether you do an Advent Calendar of some sort or not, let’s make sure we don’t let the commercialism of the season overtake the underlying reason for this season. This doesn’t mean you have to be a Scrooge or Grinch all month! I’m not trying to steal the fun of giving and getting presents; but, just not wanting to let all of that get in the way of being people who see what a wonderful opportunity we have at this time of year to reach out to others as they think of the Savior coming into the world and laying in a manger.

Filling my Calendar,

Randy