Living in the Peace Zone: wise men

Showing posts with label wise men. Show all posts

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Have You Ever Had an Epiphany?

You know that sudden realization – that aha moment – when you suddenly understand the reality of something or the meaning of something. I've had many “epiphany” moments when I could see clearly what someone meant when that said "that" or when I’m reading passages from the Bible that I’ve read dozens of times before, but this time, I really understood it. It was a “revelation” -- a revealing – an epiphany! The lights came on!

Now, let's turn back time to the arrival of the Three Kings aka Magi aka Wise Men to the home of the Holy Family. This is Epiphany 101 -- the realization, aha moment, the revelation, the "epiphany" that the little baby boy that they were coming to worship is the Messiah, the Son of God. Were they "star" struck? Was there a glow around the child? Were there angels singing and little drummer boys playing and was Mary kneeling before Him in wonder and likewise, was Joseph just standing there gawking at his boy while hanging on to his shepherd's staff? Were all the animals lying down in a panoramic view of the holy scene? It's all debatable because theologians differ on whether it was at the manger or two years later at the Holy Family's home but one thing is for certain -- those men had studied the prophecies of the coming Messiah because they said, “We have seen His star in the East and were determined, by faith, to go and worship Him."

Today, January 6th is Epiphany Sunday and the 12th day of Christmas. It officially marks the end of the festive season of Christmas for Christians. That’s why so many of us wait until after this day to take down our Christmas decorations.

Epiphany is a Greek word which means “manifestation.” Today, we celebrate how God manifested His glory to the Magi. First, they saw THE star and chose to follow it all the way to Jesus. Second, when they found Jesus, besides offering “baby shower gifts” of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, they humbled themselves, knelt down and worshipped Him. And, third, the result of their offering and worship was they went home changed. Talk about getting a “return” on your investment!!

And this is how the “flow chart” of our lives should look. Every day we should be choosing to follow THE STAR -- following Jesus. That’s the choice we make on a daily basis – in our workplaces, homes, schools, and communities -- honoring and worshipping our King, our Messiah, the Great I Am. The Magi saw more than a star. They saw God incarnate – divine God and man and when we seek Him, we’ll find Him. It begs us to fall on our knees to worship Him in honor of Who He is and what He has done for us.

The Wise Men were changed forever. They never went back to King Herod and his ungodly ways. “Normal” was no longer an option. They had an EPIPHANY. They had seen the glory of God manifested in that little boy -- God wrapped in human flesh.

And, because we are also WISE men and women, who see, hear, go, worship and adore the Son of God, everything changes for us, too! How can we go back to our old ways and patterns and inconsistencies once we’ve had an EPIPHANY of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in our lives?

Holy Spirit, please fill us up with the glory and manifestation of Jesus. May His glory change our way of thinking, acting, and helping others to have an EPIPHANY in their lives, too!

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Here We Are to WORSHIP

Here I Am to Worship

My word of the day is: WORSHIP -- the feeling or expression of reverence, adoration, exaltation, honor for God (the dictionary says for a diety, but in my case – the only ONE who deserves WORSHIP is our ONE TRUE GOD).

This morning my Christmas season is officially over as I return home from caring for my two youngest grandsons in Austin while their Mom and Dad have been celebrating their annual “anniversary honeymoon” trip that takes place after Christmas each year. I’ve savored these precious times with my boys, but now it’s back to God and me in my everyday of life.

I can’t resist – just one more post about those very wise, Wise Men. Last Sunday was the celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord when they arrived at the Holy Family's home to WORSHIP the child-king. The final scriptures of the magi’s visit give us our basis for WORSHIP – my word for today. After they had WORSHIPPED the newborn King, “Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.” Matthew 2:12.

That verse has two great points: One, they had been WORSHIPPING the child-king and out of that intimacy, God spoke to them and revealed dangers up ahead. After all, King Herod’s plans were to kill all the little boys because he suspected one of them would take his throne. God looked out for the magi because they gave their best in WORSHIP to His Son.

What about us? When we go into that secret place with God and we honor Him by our WORSHIP, aren’t we being wise children, men and women of the Most High? God is no respecter of persons. Why wouldn’t He give us wisdom for our future and the dangers that could lie up ahead and why wouldn’t He instruct us to go another way instead of the way we had planned if our way proved to be dangerous, off course or even the longest route. Just think about the Hebrews wandering around in the desert for 40 years and in reality, it was only an 11-day trip (Dueteronomy 1:2) – had they stopped to spend more time WORSHIPPING than complaining?

The second point in Matthew 2:12 is the Wise Men did go a different way. What about the plans we make for ourselves – those goals, resolutions and plans? Proverbs 16:9 says “A man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” When we live a faith-filled life of trusting and WORSHIPING God, we can count on His wisdom and direction.

Psalm 37:23 says “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delights in his way.” If the Wise Men had a dream that sent them another direction, we can be confident that if our plans are altered, it will be for our good and in our best interest to take that different path. Just maybe our plans are not God’s plans, and if we are willing to be tweaked, then like the Wise Men, we, too, will be wise enough to listen and walk in the steps He lays out for us. Imagine the pitfalls, detours, side roads and other off track places God could keep us from, as we surrender to follow Him.

Like the Wise Men, may we WORSHIP our King of all Kings, and then listen for His voice. After all He knows shortcuts and secret passageways to get us to where we need to go -- safe and sound. After all, Father KNOWS best!

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Epiphany – The Manifestation of the Lord

Epiphany – The Manifestation of the Lord

My word of the day is EPIPHANY.  Yesterday, January 6th (the day after the 12th day of Christmas), was actually Epiphany – which commemorates the revealing of Jesus as Christ to the Gentiles in the persons of the Magi and the baptism of Jesus.  But today is when the Church celebrates it.

I was watching the Chip and Joanna Gaines’ “Fixer Upper” show a few days ago and in it, Joanna said, “I had an EPIPHANY and we need to…..”  Chip said, “An EPIPHANY – what’s an EPIPHANY?” Jo said “I had a bright idea.”  And she was right.  EPIPHANY also means “a moment of sudden insight or understanding.  

So EPIPHANY is the magi’s “EPIPHANY” and I pray, it is our EPIPHANY (sudden insight and understanding) of WHO this Christ Child was and is to us today. 

I love those words we see posted: “Wise men (and women) still seek Him.”  It is an EPIPHANY when one soul seeks Him and finds Him. And when we find Him, we find more than we ever imagined. For in Jesus Christ, we find forgiveness, inward peace and joy, today, and the promises of life eternal tomorrow.

The Magi found Him as a young child with Mary His mother. By the way, they didn’t show up at the manger scene as all of our nativity sets display – though it sure adds to the beauty of our sets.  (See the ceramic one below that my sweet mother-in-law recently passed on to me that she painted many years ago.)   It took those magi almost two years to find “the child”, but they didn’t give up.  They were persistent and unwavering and so should we be.  When we find him today – He is the living Christ, clothed with glory and honor and seated at the right hand of His Father in heaven. He is there because He finished the work He came to do on earth. 

Of His coming, the Bible says, “He was made in the likeness of men: and… He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted Him… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:7-11).  That certainly removes that little innocent, dependent, baby in the manger vision to one that describes our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

It is so true that wise men AND women still seek Him and it is so wonderfully true that He still seeks us.  We hear a lot of talk about men searching for God and finding God.  But first, and foremost, our search is very much related to the fact that God first sought us.  In Luke 19:10 Jesus said, "...the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost."  And, shortly before His death, Jesus told his closest followers, during  the Last Supper, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide..." (John 15:16).  To me the most important truth in Christianity is that God loves us enough to seek us out even before we start trying to find Him -- whoever we may be. 

May the EPIPHANY of our Lord be revealed to you today.  The Babe of Bethlehem, Who is now our King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, invites you to come into His royal family today.  He’s at your heart’s door, knocking, and asking if you would welcome Him in.   All we have to do is open the door, receive and take this priceless gift. Once we do, like those VERY wise men, we won't be able to help ourselves -- we will want to worship with everything we are and everything we have. 

Come into my heart.  Come into my heart.  Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.  Come in today.  Come in to stay.  Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Saturday, December 30, 2017

The Twelve Days of Christmas – MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TToday is December 30th – which means it’s the 6th day of Christmas.  A few days ago, upon my return home from Austin, I said in my post that I was going to start taking down my Christmas décor the next day.  The inspiration came when my Austin Family were heading out of town for several days and they wanted to come home to a back-to-normal atmosphere.  It would feel great for them not to face the de-Christmasing of their home upon return. We pitched in and succeeded!  

That was my plan, too, until my BFF, Sheila Michie, commented on my post "Enjoy all 12 days of Christmas -- today's only the 4th day!"   I checked out what she said, and it was true!!  We’re still in the 12 Days of Christmas!!  I quickly posted a retraction that I was holding off to savor in the flavors and favors of Christmas until the end of the 12 days.  Here is the result of my research: 

The "12 Days of Christmas" are the 12 days between Christmas Day, December 25th, the birth of Jesus, and January 6th, Epiphany -- the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi (Wise Men) and the revelation of Christ as the Light of the world. 

During the 15th to 18th centuries in England, it was a crime to be Catholic and they were prohibited from any practice of their faith by law -- private or public. Anyone caught with religious books or writings would be severely punished -- imprisonment, hanging or a beheaded. The song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” was written during that time of religious persecution. It was a kind of secret summary and memory tool of the principles of Christian beliefs that could be sung in public without fear of arrest. 

In the song, the "true love" mentioned doesn't refer to an earthly lover.  It refers to the "True Love" of God the Father, the greatest Giver.  The “me” who receives the gift refers to all believers in Christ.  Christ is presented as a mother partridge who fakes injury to lure predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me..."  Matthew 23:37.

Each line in the song is a code word for a religious truth:

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.

2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.

3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.

4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.

5. The five gold rings recall the Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.

6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.

9. The nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.

12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.

The Twelve Days of Christmas give us a reason to celebrate and exchange gifts.   This old-fashioned approach to gift-giving eventually gave way to today's practice of exchanging gifts on Christmas Day.

So, I'm back to breathing in the "Oh Holy Night" of Christmas for a few more days.  I'll bask in the 12 Days of Christmas – savoring the atmosphere as long as I can. I've resisted the urge to run out to the After-Christmas sales.  As a matter of fact, the cold weather beckons the fireplace to be blazing, wearing the cozy attire and staying inside to experience THE Presence of Emmanuel -- God with us.  I'm having a loving affair with the Lover in the song, and the Partridge in the Pear Tree.  I'm journaling, reading, and embracing the moments, while preparing for a new year of serving, loving and giving.  I pray that you, too, are experiencing Christmas peace and joy a few more days. 

In the words of Paul Harvey…..”and now you know the REST of the STORY!"    You’re welcome!

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Never a Birth Announcement Like This One!

Don’t you love it when a friend or family member shares the good news "We are Expecting!" in a cute photo -- long before the baby's birth -- and then is followed up a few months later by the BIG announcement to the world that their baby has arrived?  

As cute as those birth announcements are, can you imagine a birth that a mere photo or card could not contain the grandeur and magnificence of this baby's birth?   Not even a baby born to England's royal family provided this sort of announcement.  This announcement was so colossal that all you had to do was look up at the sky and you saw it.  And, that, my friends, is the way Father God, He Who created the heavens and the earth, and all that's in it, would announce the birth of His BOY! 

What a MASTER Plan!  He flung ONE colossal star in the sky to let us know that He was giving us mere mortals the STAR OF THE SHOW!   Oh, there were always plenty of stars that lit up the skies to declare His glory and His grand and majestic creation, but THIS night, He placed a brilliant, glorious STAR there that would point the way to the ONE TRUE LIGHT.  All other stars in the sky, and all those who THINK they are "stars" on this earth, pale in comparison to that ONE TRUE STAR.

And this STAR, was also a travel guide that gave directions to the maji and led them to where THE STAR lived.  Those Wise Men knew that this STAR was the promised gift from heaven.  Yes, they brought gifts to Him to show their worship, but they went away KNOWING their gifts were insignificant to the GIFT He gave them.  They received HOPE for their future, JOY for their journey, PEACE for their soul, and LOVE that exceeded anything or anyone.

And the foremost point of this post today is..... that ONE TRUE LIGHT shines ever so brightly for us -- leading and guiding us.  This world has plenty of darkness in it, but no worries -- because THE STAR and LIGHT shines brighter than EVER.  And, like the Wise Men leaving with greater gifts than they brought to Him, that HOPE, JOY, PEACE, and LOVE are our gifts, too, FREELY given, and as we stay close to the STAR's brilliant LIGHT, and accept HIS gifts to us, we'll NEVER be in darkness.

Let this song resonate in your heart and soul as we move into the most beautiful night of all nights!  I guarantee you will get chills Join with me in watching this gorgeous rendition of “Angels We Have Heard on High”  (Gloria in Excelsis Deo).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5mdybeyLVc

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Worship = Blessings

I can’t resist – one more post about the Wise Men. Last Sunday (the celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord), Father Brian O’Brien who is the President of Bishop Kelly High School in Tulsa, gave a most beautiful explanation of the magi’s visit to the Holy Family. What stood out to me the most was his take on the final line of the scriptures of that story. After they had worshipped the newborn King, “Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.” Matthew 2:12.

That verse has two connotations. One, they had been worshipping the newborn King and out of that intimacy, God spoke to them and revealed dangers up ahead. After all, King Herod’s plans were to kill all the little boys because he suspected one of them would take his throne. God looked out for the magi because they gave their best in worship to His Son. What about us? How about when we go into that secret place with God and we honor Him by our worship, aren’t we being wise children of the Most High? God is no respecter of persons. Why wouldn’t He give us wisdom for our future and the dangers that could lie up ahead and why wouldn’t He instruct us to go another way instead of the way we had planned?

The 2nd connotation is the Wise Men did go a different way. What about us and the plans we made for ourselves – those goals, resolutions and plans? Proverbs 16:9 says “A man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” When we live a faith-filled life of trusting God, we can expect His wisdom and direction.

Psalm 37:23 says “ The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delights in his way.” If the Wise Men had a dream that sent them another direction, we can be confident that if our plans are altered, it will be for our good and in our best interest to take that different path. Just maybe our plans are not God’s plans, and if we are willing to be tweaked, then like the Wise Men, we, too, will be wise enough to listen and walk in the steps He lays out for us. Imagine the pitfalls, detours, side roads and other off track places God could keep us from, as we surrender to follow Him.

Like the Wise Men, may we worship our King of all Kings, and then listen for His voice. After all He knows short cuts and secret passageways to get us to where we need to go -- safe and sound. After all, Father KNOWS best!

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Cornish Hens, A Street Sign and Noticing and Pondering

Lately, I've seemed to be more of a noticer AND a ponderer than ever before. Both words seem to be encased in the traditions of Christmas. I'm in good company. The shepherds were noticers of the angels who broke the news of their Savior's birth. The Wise Men were noticers of the star that led them to the Christ Child. And, Mary was a ponderer. Luke 2:19 says (after the shepherds departed): "And Mary pondered these things in her heart." I like that -- and I sure desire to follow Mary's lead, as well as the shepherds and Wise Men -- pondering and noticing.

Years ago, when we lived in Canada, our daughter, a high school student at the time, had some Winnipeg Jets Hockey player friends, and one young man became very close to our family. Along with the friendship that Staci had with this young man, my husband and I enjoyed friendship with his parents. I know it was, in part, because of both families having German backgrounds. They were fluent in speaking German. We were not, but Staci and I took some German classes at the University of Manitoba to help us understand and speak some of the language. I'd like to say we became fluent but NOT, but I can tell you that we enjoyed sailing with them on their sail boat and visiting them at their lake home. What still stays with us today, is one of the meals that Renata (that's the young man's mom) made for us. Grilled cornish hens that were seasoned with Spike. We loved it so much that it became a meal I duplicated and to this day, Staci asks me to make that meal for her -- it's become a family tradition. Grilled, "Spiked" Cornish Hens and Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta. In fact she asked me to make it for her birthday dinner. I did. Every time I have made that meal, I think about Renata and how precious she was and how much she loved my Staci. Pondering.

I was running here in Frisco the day after I made that meal for Staci a couple of days ago, and I NOTICED a street sign with the name Reata Drive. I PONDERED Renata and that delicious cornish hen meal and quietly thanked God for that memory, but then when I pondered, I prayed a little prayer for Renata. Silly thought? Or divine thought where I was led to pray for a friend that it's been well over 30 years since we were together. I took it so seriously that I found the young man (now, mature man) on Facebook and recalled some of our great times together, along with asking for his Mom's phone number. He responded with it and expressed his gratitude for our "history" together. Though I still haven't been able to get in touch with his Mom, I left her a message of gratitude for the memories and I let her know I was praying for her.

I like to think that just maybe.....noticing and pondering are part of seeing, hearing and sensing God WITH US. Remember Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel (God with us)? The more I've thought about those cornish hens and the brief encounter with a street sign called Reata, the more I realized we should all think of ourselves as “God with us.” When we understand that Emmanuel is with us, then even the thoughts we think just might be exactly what and who He's wanting us to pray for and reach out to. Maybe they are just not random thoughts but bullseye target thoughts where we are to be God’s representative to our world. We can live to purposely be aware of God with us and in us to be His "light" representative which means to express the reality of His attitudes, actions, and character in and through our lives.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

An Explosion of Worship

Last Sunday, some friends in Tulsa invited me to join them for their weekly Sunday night singing group at Christ the King Church. These are folks that love singing and worshipping God -- but, not just singing, they are a musical ensemble of singers that CAN really sing. Four-part harmonies par excellence! Not only was I awe-struck at their love for singing, but they welcomed me in to sing with them, and then they had me stand in the center of them while they placed their hands on me and prayed for God's leading and guidance in my life. I was so touched by their love and kindness.

But when I first arrived at the church, the doors that I thought I should go in, were all locked. I tried them all. I thought that just maybe they had canceled their meeting, but I pursued my quest and as I drove around the church, I saw my friend's parked car and then I saw a brightly lit front porch at the church and it invited me in. As I walked through that door, I heard a magnificent sound of a Gregorian chant being sung by a melodious choir of singers coming from down the hall. But what struck me as I walked through that door was this Manger Scene that was beckoning me to it. In fact, I turned on a brighter light in that room so I could get this photo. The music I was hearing in the background, combined with the beauty of this manger scene caused me to pause and worship. I recognized the manger scene isn't just a display of what we know as the "Christmas Story", but that scene before me was an explosion of worship and adoration. Notice that each character, whether it be the shepherds, the wise men with their offerings of gold, frankincense and myrhh, the angels -- even the animals that God created, were worshipping this newborn King. Advent and Christmas are about worship. Worshipping He who left the glories of heaven to take on human flesh to be one of us, to be acquainted with our frailities, our needs, our challenges and our concerns. In fact, even more so does He relate to us and says "I understand, and I came to bring you hope and assurance that you will conquer!"

As I finally made it past that gorgeous manger scene, I followed the singing, passed a magnificent dining room, and entered the room that the music was coming from -- it was a living room....with no choir ensemble. I realized that I might just be in someone's home instead of the room the musical group was meeting in, when I turned the corner and there was a kitchen where Monsignor Dan Mueggenburg was at his kitchen table, meeting with another priest. He looked up, shocked to see me, and my quick hand to my opened mouth, certainly revealed my shock. I was in the rectory -- not the church! Msgr Dan was gracious in escorting me to the front door and pointing the way where the church's small chapel was and where the group was actually meeting. I even smile big now as I recollect that night. An "oops" accident? No, for me, it was one of those divine encounters with God's perfect orchestration of putting me at the right place at the right time to know, just a little more clearly, that "There are no accidents with God, and even the smallest coincidences and signs are part of His love, His divine plan for us, and even opportunities to worship Him!"

Just a reminder to us all -- this beautiful season of Advent and Christmas is brought to us by the Creator of us -- Himself. Let's be sure to give Him the time and thanks for loving us so much that He decided to make this earth His home.....just long enough for us to relate to Him in His humanness, but then to give Him the worship and the praise and the honor for starting as a seed in a peasant girl then to a manger to a cross and dying for us....so that we can live with Him forever. I'd say that's the GREATEST GIFT given to us -- let's unwrap THE GIFT and share it everywhere we go!

Sunday, January 4, 2015

And the LIGHT Keeps Shining Brightly

Day 4 of 365 days of my photo inspirations for 2015:
Tonight I was taken with the lights on many homes that are still brightly lit and shining in my children's Texas neighborhood. While many Christmas lights have been put away for another year, I, and many others will conclude our Christmas season on January 6th, after the 12 days of Christmas, and at the celebration of Epiphany (the manifestation of the Lord) and the day commemorated when the Wise Men brought their gifts to the Christ Child.

As I saw those homes tonight, I was touched by our desire to hold onto the lights a little longer -- it makes for such a tender and welcoming invitation to those homes. But, most of all, those lights continue to remind us of THE LIGHT that shines ever brightly in our hearts.

We will take down the lights from our homes, but it's up to us to represent and be THE LIGHT to our family, our neighbors and our world. We are "the chosen ones" to be the peacemakers, servants, joy and hope bearers to this world that needs that LIGHT so much.

Though Jesus is the ultimate, ever-ready, radiant, source of LIGHT that dispels darkness.....He told us in Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shines to all that are in the house. Even so let YOUR light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

What if OUR LIGHTS were shining so brightly that when people pass our way, they draw toward THE LIGHT and their world of darkness is dispeled? Let's BE the Light that keeps on shining -- all year long!

Friday, December 26, 2014

They Gave....Then Bowed Down and Worshipped Him

"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him."

The Magi (Wise Men) worshipped -- and brought very costly gifts to the newborn King. The gifts were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Not such practical gifts, but most definitely...valuable gifts.

A gold brick in today’s time is worth about $485,000. In the time of Christ, it would have probably been even more valuable. The spices (frankincense and myrrh) were also very valuable, and costly. Those gifts probably sustained the Holy Family for many years to come.

Love gives. "For God SO LOVED the world that He GAVE His only Son...." John 3:16. That's what God does. He gives. When we love, we give. We just can't help ourselves. He demonstrated His love. We demonstrate our love.

Oh, how I loved GIVING to my children and, especially, my grandchildren, this Christmas. Watching their faces light up with anticipation of what was inside that wrapping, was my delight. And seeing their sweet beaming faces as I opened my gifts from them.

And, isn't that joyful nature of giving and receiving straight from God's heart? A group of wise men once travelled far and long (two years) to give young Jesus some gifts.
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But Jesus gave them, and us, back so much more -- an even greater gift. He came here to this earth ON PURPOSE -- to give to us the gift of a clean slate before God. He gave us the gift of forgiveness and a pardon from ever having to pay for the mistakes we make.

All we have to do is receive and take the gift. And once we do, we won't be able to help ourselves -- we will want to give back to Him in worship with everything we are and everything we have. We honor Him and worship Him. When we experience His love, like the Maji,we MUST give and we MUST worship Him.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

We Can't Help It -- We Must Give -- We Must Worship

"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him." The Magi (Wise Men) worshipped -- and brought very costly gifts to the newborn King. The gifts were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Not such practical gifts, but most definitely...valuable gifts.

A gold brick in today’s time is worth about $485,000. In the time of Christ, it would have probably been even more valuable. The spices (frankincense and myrrh) were also very valuable, and costly. Those gifts probably sustained the Holy Family for many years to come.

Love gives. "For God SO LOVED the world that He GAVE His only Son...." John 3:16. That's what God does. He gives. When we love, we give. We just can't help ourselves. He demonstrated His love. We demonstrate our love.

A few nights ago, my Texas Wallace family and I had our early Christmas together. I loved seeing my children and grandchildren's faces as they eagerly opened their gifts from Nana. And, I loved the squeals of my granddaughter as she opened the onesie pj's she had hoped for. And my grandson, as he opened his "survival tools" from his gift list that he made for Nana. He was over-joyed.

And, isn't that joyful nature of giving and receiving straight from God's heart? A group of wise men once travelled far and long (two years) to give young Jesus some gifts.
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But Jesus gave them, and us, back so much more -- an even greater gift. He gave us the gift of a clean slate before God. He gave us the gift of forgiveness and a pardon from ever having to pay for the mistakes we made.

All we have to do is receive and take the gift. And once we do, we won't be able to help ourselves -- we will want to give back to Him in worship with everything we are and everything we have. We honor Him and worship Him. When we experience His love, we can’t help to be like the Magi -- we MUST give and we MUST worship Him.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Never a Birth Announcement Like This One

We've all received "Birth Announcements" from friends and family telling us about their new "pride and joy". But can you imagine a birth that a mere photo or card could not contain the magnificence and grandeur of THIS birth? Not even a baby born to England's royal family received this sort of announcement. This announcement was so colossal that all you had to do was look up at the sky and you saw it. And, that, my friends, is the way God rolls. Of course, that's the way that He Who created the heavens and the earth, and all that's in it, would announce the birth of His SON!

What a MASTER Plan -- put ONE special star in the sky to let us know that He was giving us mere mortals the STAR OF THE SHOW! Oh, there were always plenty of stars that lit up the skies to declare His glory and His grand and majestic creation, but THIS night, He placed a brilliant, glorious STAR there that would point the way to the ONE TRUE LIGHT. All other stars in the sky, and all those who THINK they are "stars" on this earth, pale in comparison to that ONE TRUE STAR.

And this STAR, was also a travel guide that gave directions to the maji and led them to where THE STAR lived. Those Wise Men knew that this STAR was the promised gift from heaven. Yes, they brought gifts to Him to show their worship, but they went away KNOWING their gifts were insignificant to the GIFT He gave them. They received HOPE for their future, JOY for their journey, PEACE for their soul, and LOVE that exceeded anything or anyone.

And the foremost point of this post today is..... that ONE TRUE LIGHT shines ever so brightly for us -- leading and guiding us. Yes, this world has lots of darkness in it, but no worries -- because THE STAR and LIGHT shines brighter than EVER. And, like the Wise Men leaving wih greater gifts than they brought to Him, that HOPE, JOY, PEACE, and LOVE are our gifts, too, FREELY given, and as we stay close to the STAR's brilliant LIGHT, and accept HIS gifts to us, we'll NEVER be in darkness.

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