children

Receiving Christ Today

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

“Open our eyes Lord- we want to see Jesus!” went the chorus we sang some years ago. I used to imagine getting a vision of heaven during worship or an ecstatic experience at the altar. But God (who is so much more practical than I) takes moments like that to upend my schedule with some else’s need. He does not give me time to prepare or ask my opinion. Like the scene from the film “Evan Almighty” when Steven Carell who portrays Noah complains to God (Morgan Freeman) ” This whole building the ark thing is really not part of my plans here!”

When he finishes God begins laughing, then says Your plans!….people want to change the world- don’t know how to begin.”

We want to see Jesus but don’t know where to begin to looking for Him. But the God who has all the power of the universe cupped in His hand chooses to send us a little one. Then He waits in wonder to see what we will do when that someone doesn’t fit in with our plans and goals. Almighty God is watching to see what we will do when people around us need our mercy. When we take our child to school after he has missed the bus for the 3rd time or helped our neighbor who sometimes steals our parking spot shovel snow from theirs Jesus is there. When we turn off our television or miss a midweek prayer meeting to make a hospital visit He will be waiting. All the big important things we thought we should do today may be still undone at bedtime but we will have received Jesus if along the way we have stopped to listen to our child’s whispered prayers!

A 21st century Christmas

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And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

21 centuries have come and gone since what began as a dark lonely night in Bethlehem. Jesus was not expected that night. Joseph and Mary had planned and hoped for a quiet and safe place but Jesus came to the stable. Mary remembered the messages of Gabriel and her cousin Elizabeth of His greatness but no one even took time to turn their head to notice. The Son of God came into the world on a night when all that was expected was for Joseph to pay his taxes. Though the date is still unknown we set aside December 25 to mark His birth. We can be like shepherds coming in from our fields to tell the wonderful news of God’s salvation. We can be like wise men bringing our gifts and worship because our King is here! We can be Joseph and Mary, ready to leave at moments notice to bring Jesus anywhere God leads us. Yes this world is dark and only the humble have a place for Him and still He comes. Yes powerful forces more evil than Herod wish to eradicate Him from the earth yet He rules a kingdom that can never be overthrown. Yes there are some who will not so much as turn their heads to give notice to His presence but He still accepts frightened shepherds, weary travelers and curious children. He still waits with the good news of great joy for all who believe in Him!

A Child’s Christmas

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Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,  “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.   Matthew 2:1-2 NLT

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As a part of focusing on the birth of Jesus at Christmas I have left one of the nativity scenes in a place where our grandchildren could reach it.  My theory was that they would understand Christmas better if they knew what a manger was and what shepherds might have looked like. So I carefully set up my old and semi-unbreakable manger scene so they could see all the characters.

Last week our home was filled with the activity of seven grandchildren, their parents and one family friend. The youngest had to be chased down two or three times to retrieve ornaments which he had stolen off the Christmas tree. Food, games and fun filled our day and we retired properly blessed and exhausted as they finally all drove off in the early evening.

A few days later when I was in my office I noticed that the children had indeed seen the nativity and had rearranged the figures. As I looked closer I realized that they understood the birth of Jesus in a way a bit different than we adults do. There gathered closely around the manger were Mary, Joseph, wise men and shepherds pressing in closely to see Jesus! Maybe it would be better if we adults turned our own backs to the many activities surrounding the celebration of the Christ child and instead pressed in closely to see Jesus!20171130_054228