Jesus

On the other Side the Door

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 ESV

The first people to see Jesus were Joseph and Mary. Theirs had been a long a difficult journey. They had faced the rejection, and disapproval of families and neighbors. On that final night their faith was rewarded with the sight of tiny eyes opening as Jesus came into this world. He took His first breath as they watched and He was held by Mary when He cried. Then Joseph wrapped Him in cloths and gently laid Him in the hay for His first nap!

Today, think of the Inn keeper who stood just behind the door he had closed. He missed His chance to see the birth of the Son of God. But shepherds came breathlessly hurrying into the village to see if what the angels had told them was true. While shepherds were shouting praises we have no record of neighbors just down the street joining in the crowd. That night they were next door to Jesus but missed holding his hands or kissing His cheeks.

Do you long to see the face of Jesus Christ th

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is Christmas? He could be just behind a door we ourselves have shut. Jesus is still waiting and God calls us to come and to see Him. Why not, “Come and behold Him born the King of Angels”?

 

Mary’s Christmas Carol

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And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,  Luke 1:46-47

From the very beginning Christmas seems to be intertwined with music and song. In the Biblical story leading up to the birth of Jesus everyone seems to be singing. Elizabeth sings, angels sing, and even Mary herself has a song. How many of the Christmas carols can you sing by heart without even a glance at a song sheet? Whether it is one or a thousand, each song had to take a journey from the lips of your mother, a church choir or a group of carolers outside your door, till it took up residence in your heart. In some mysterious way those carols have become your songs.

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For the young Virgin Mary her song had traveled the journey from the moment she heard the greeting of the angel Gabriel, till the first cry of Jesus in the manger. With each passing day she was learning new verses, hearing deeper harmonies and sensing more fully its tempo. In the same way we who have Christ living in us are learning day by day a little more of His song in our lives. If we are straining to hear we will hear his melody in the voice of the needs of others. When we are listening we will hear the gentle rhythm of those by our side blending with the harmony of God’s grace carrying us through hardships. If we are willing then note by note, and one measure at a time the Christmas song of heaven will become our own.

 

 

Beautiful Feet

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How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7 ESV

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Joseph’s strong feet traveled many miles guiding Mary’s donkey on toward Bethlehem. She must have felt little feet kicking within her. “Maybe just a little faster Joseph!” she might have urged as she sensed the time drawing near for her time to give birth. Later the feet of shepherds loudly slapped at the entrance to a stable where they found the baby Jesus and the air rang with their telling the exciting news of angels. Mary could not even have yet imagined that far away over dark roads came the clop of camel’s feet as they carried wise men with gifts for her child.  All of these were beautiful feet. But then see the tiny feet of Jesus being kissed by Mary as she quietly laid him into the manger. They looked just like any other baby’s feet but she knew, even on that first night, that some new path lay ahead for them. His were feet that would one day be pierced by nails at the end of His journey here on earth. Jesus’ feet were the most beautiful of all because they brought the good news of peace, joy and salvation as He stepped out of this life to take His place on heaven’s throne. Today as those beautiful feet are standing in heaven we need to remember that while He was still here on earth He commanded us to wash one another’s!