Jesus

In the Beauty of His Weakness

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:25

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In one of the verses from the Battle Hymn of the Republic we sing, “In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea…” And as we set out our manger scenes or listen to the familiar carols on our favorite radio station, the story of Jesus born in a manger seems to us so appealing and beautiful. But the reality was of an unwed virgin about to give birth; a bride-groom offended, a village scandalized and a young couple traveling by donkey from Galilee to Judea to pay taxes. In the dirty stable of Bethlehem filled with smelly shepherds it might have been better to sing, “In the beauty of His weakness Christ was born…”

Maybe God sent us His Son in weakness so that His lowliness could say to us, “Welcome to all who wish to come!” Then onto that stable floor God sent shepherds with the joy of angel songs ringing in their ears. Later to their small home, came amazing gifts, from wise men who sought Christ in all His weakness and they kneeled to worship Him.

 

Today, in your life and mine God comes, He gives and guides in some of the most foolish of ways because of His unfathomable love for us. The foolishness and the weakness of God lead us to Bethlehem where the Savior was born. He came for all who would believe and all who will come and worship Him!

 

 

 

Mary I Have News – A New Christmas song

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In our preparation for this year’s Christmas program we wanted to begin the presentation where God began it: in Nazareth. The surprising announcement to Mary by the angel Gabriel that she was to miraculously bear God’s own Son was the opening scene of all God was to give the world in Bethlehem. But much to our surprise, no such song existed. Not one Christmas carol that we could find was dedicated even slightly to that scene and so I wrote a simple song about the amazing news Mary heard on that day. I pray that this may be a blessing to you as well.

The Name of Jesus – Part Two

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And she will have a son and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins Matthew 1:32

Where ever Jesus went, whatever He was doing, when he would turn to the sound of His name He would be reminded of the reason He had come. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Nazareth when He began to explain that He was coming to fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah, the Bible tells us that they were so angry that they took him out and were ready to through him over a cliff! Yet miraculously Jesus slipped away because “His hour had not yet come” He always had an awareness throughout his ministry and teaching of that approaching hour. He told his brothers one day, “Any time is good for you, but my hour has not yet come”

As Jesus prayed in the garden, struggling with the thoughts of the cross He said, “… should I pray, ‘ Father, save me from this hour.’ ? But this is the very reason I came.” John 12:27 Later when he finished praying he went back to the disciples and found them sleeping he said, “…Are you still sleeping and resting? Look the hour has come…” 1512168036553_image.jpg

All that God had promised in the name Jesus was fulfilled as Jesus began the terrible process of paying for our sins. He was determined that no obstacle would keep him back. He accepted no protection and looked for no escape. To the very end Jesus was true to His Name – the Name that is now above all names. Jesus is the name before which every knee will bow in both heaven and earth. It is a mighty name. It is a name that gives hope in dark places. Jesus is a name that brings healing and a name that forgives sins. Jesus is the name that never loses power and it is the name given for us all! Jesus is the name given just for you. Jesus is the name of Christmas!