A Pause: Happy Birthday, Jesus

I had to take a pause today. Actually, it seems that is all Christmas has been this year. With the recent loss of my mom and the days of caring for her before, (is it possible that was just one week ago?) I'm afraid I missed the whole Christmas season.

So today, I just want to take some time from James and reflect on the precious gift of our Lord. One of the hardest positions any human has to take is one of humility. Our sinful nature fights tooth and nail against such posturing. Self strives to push forward, be the top, gain power and recognition, be in control. But have you ever considered that our Lord does not have to wrestle with the sin of self? He doesn't strive for power, He just has it. He doesn't need control, He is in control.

And yet, He traded all that in to place Himself into the must vulnerable position a human can take -- a baby. The Israelites had been watching for a Messiah to charge in on a white horse and save them through His might and powerful army from the oppression of the Romans. Instead, Jesus came into this world at about 7 pounds, to a poor carpenter's family, watched over by a donkey in a stable. Strength and armor were traded in for weakness and poverty. It boggles my mind to think of the Almighty Creator of the Universe reducing Himself to the humility of a poor baby. And yet, He did. And because of His sacrifice -- of His position and His life -- I will have eternity with Him. No one can ever second guess the ways of our Lord. His ways are higher than our ways, His purposes greater than ours.

So Happy Birthday, Jesus. Your gift is my joy and my hope.

Matthew 1:18-25 "Listen and Obey"

Read Matthew 1:18-25.

"...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...." NIV

I don't know that I have read about the birth of Jesus all that much outside of Christmas. But it's making my June feel cooler. :-)

I can't even imagine what Joseph was going through at the moment the angel appeared. Think about it today.... My husband, Jim, has an angel come to him in whatever form an angel appears and tells him that I am having a baby that will save the world from their sins. AND Jim knows it's not his baby. I'd have to sedate him.....and me.

How did Joseph handle that news? Well, we know he at first considered divorcing Mary. But after the angel arrived, he "did what the angel of the Lord commanded him...." Would I have been that sure? It says Joseph "woke up." Would I have just dismissed it all as a strange dream and proceeded with the divorce? Wouldn't I have looked at Mary with suspicion as her belly grew larger and larger? Joseph somehow knew that the Almighty was leading him and did as he was told -- on faith -- because the evidence before him was totally contrary to reality. His wife was to give birth to the promised Messiah. The Jews had been looking for the one to save their nation for so long. Could this finally be the moment? And why now, why Joseph and Mary? I'd love to read their blogs.

So how many times does God speak to me, and I just dismiss it as a strange dream or crazy thought? Or the idea is so far-fetched it couldn't be what He said to me. What have I missed being a part of because I didn't pay attention or even believe? I so want my heart in tune with the Holy Spirit that if an angel of the Lord appeared in this room right now, I'd fall down on my knees and do whatever He told me without reservation or doubt. Well, I don't expect an angel to appear. But I do know the Holy Spirit will counsel me throughout my life. I must listen and be prepared to obey.

I keep thinking of the times my child's ball would roll into the street, and she'd start to go after it. Because I had trained her to listen to my voice and obey, when I yelled "Stop!" she listened. I so want to know my Father's voice that when He tells me to stop or go, I automatically obey. Some would call that a responding robot with no free will. I call it an obedient servant who desires to do her Master's will.

Lord, thank you for the gift of Your Son that has saved me from my sins. Continue to teach me to listen to You. I don't want to miss out on what you have for me to do .... or be. Your servant is waiting.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read the prophesies of Christ's coming. (Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6-7)
2. Samuel learned to be in tune to God's voice. Read the beginning of his story in I Samuel 3 and see how God used his attentiveness for the entire nation of Israel.
3. What does Jesus say about the Holy Spirit's counsel? (Read John 14:15-31.)
4. Jesus often went away from the crowds to have quiet time with His Father. Take some time each day to sit quietly before the Father and listen. Begin now; He's waiting for you.