Christmas

Gift of Rest

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls Matthew 11:29

In all our hurry towards Christmas, it is easy for us to forget to rest for a moment at the manger. Remember how He waited the unhurried nine months in the waiting room of Mary’s womb. Then at His birth the shepherds were the first to know as they rested with their flocks.

For the next 30 quiet years Jesus lived in the tiny village of Nazareth. He didn’t burst forth with proclamations of greatness instead he worked in the back of Joseph’s carpenter shop. He had brothers and sisters with whom He shared a straw mattress on the floor and the same meals that Mary cooked for everyone. Never do we hear of a complaint an attitude of frustration.

He simply waited and rested in the place where God had put Him. It was there in Nazareth that He learned to give thanks for bread and fish. In the ordinary circumstances of His life He learned how to wash feet, celebrate weddings and how to handle wood and nails.

Whenever we feel the push to get into the holiday swing of things we need to stop and take a deep breath. Then in a moment of calm remember that the same Jesus who rested in the storm has also invited us to come and rest our souls in Him!

Immanuel (God’s Secret Identity!)

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

 

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.”  William Shakespeare

I have always been intrigued by the dual names given to our Savior. In both Matthew’s and Luke’s telling of the Christmas story, God very clearly tells Mary and Joseph that their child is to be named Jesus. And then there is this prophecy saying that His name will be Immanuel. What is up with this other name?

Back in my comic book reading days, if there was one scene that stood out, it was of Clark Kent, shedding his glasses and tie as he stepped into a phone booth to become Superman. He had to keep his identity secret; so that the bad guys wouldn’t suspect and the good folks wouldn’t be afraid.

God in that same manner gave His Son dual identity papers while here on earth. To His closest family friends and neighbors He was just Jesus, the baby born in a manger. Yes of course there was the meaning to that name; but the name Jesus was also a common version of the Old Testament name Joshua. That name would not have made a ripple in the village of Nazareth. Only Mary and Joseph really knew more.

If we fast forward 32 years to the time of Jesus’ ministry, we would see that even the disciples did not fully understand just who they were dealing with. Then one day on a mountain all that changed.  Having scaled a couple of peaks in the Berkshires I remember the moment when reaching the final bend in the trail to the summit suddenly we could see what seemed like all of New England.

In somewhat the same way I can picture the disciples climbing to the summit that morning when a cloud suddenly descended on them and the clothing of Jesus began to shine with light. Peter James and John fell to the ground in amazement as they saw  Moses and Elijah appearing and talking with Jesus. Seeing even a glimpse of the true identity of their teacher, the miracle worker and friend filled them with fear. How wonderful hearing the words of Jesus at that moment.

But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”  Matthew 17:7

Oh yes He is Immanuel! He is more than a special baby. He is more than a miracle worker and great teacher. This Jesus of Nazareth can do far more than cleanse lepers and give sight to the blind.  He is God – who is with us and who by His great love and mercy chose to come down in secret. At the moment we see Him as He really is we can  come without fear and receive Him into our hearts as not just God – but God who is with us!

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23 ESV

In His Image

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Gingerbread Man

Each Christmas my wife makes special cookies in the shape of ginger bread men or Christmas trees. Once the dough is soft she presses the form over it and cuts out the exact images over and over again. But what is good for cookies is not so great for our minds.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

close up photography of gingerbread

Photo by Noelle Otto on Pexels.com

The apostle Paul appeals to us to give our bodies to God as living sacrifices, so that we will not be pressed into the world’s mold. As a part of real worship we lovingly give to God all that we have and all that we are. He is so worth everything

we could offer and more. When we yield to Him, God comes and liberates our minds. As our minds and hearts become open to Him the fresh wind of His Spirit can begin His work so we can experience the transforming freedom of his presence. We need each day and to ask ourselves: “Is there something that has pressed me back into the world’s mold?” Then stop and make a quiet choice to give yourself to God, and wait on Him to come. Only then, in that wonderful freedom, when we have been transformed by His presence can we begin to understand what He really wants in our life. He breaks the cookie cutter molds of this world when we choose to be His and His alone!!