The First Noel is a 15th century carol of uncertain authorship, but its melody and story is timeless. The French Christmas greeting, “Joyeux Noël” (Joyful birth) gives us the hint that it is all about the birthday of Jesus. In this brief video I share a story of young boy named Dylan, who we used to bring to church and how he discovered before any of the adults, just where the party for Jesus was held. I hope you will be blessed as you listen to this tiny Christmas tale and a simple rendition of “The First Noel which we sang at Life Care Center this past week.
Caretaking or Caregiving?
He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom and gently lead those who are with young. Isaiah 40:11 NKJV
Though I am long retired, I still act as a caretaker for what is something of a gentlemen’s farm. NO, I do not perform any of the physical labor, rather I simply manage the accounts, paying the taxes, insurance and the various men who care for the property. In view of the responsibilities, perhaps the word, “Caretaker” is misapplied, as I do take care from the place, instead, I diligently watch over the various activities with the good of the owner in mind. On another track, my wife and I have also become the “Caregivers” for an elderly friend, whose house was flooded out in a hurricane over a year ago. Her struggles with Alzheimer’s as well as a recent stroke have left her in need of people to guide her through basic daily activities.
Both of these separate duties call for a giving that only dimly shadows the care-taking and care-giving of our Good Shepherd. In today’s verse God says that He gathers the lambs with His arm. No rough shepherd’s rod and even the long staff employed in directing the sheep is pictured here, instead God tells us He gathers us in His very arms, lifts us up and carries us. He does not get tired, impatient, or bored with the mundane duties of seeing to our daily needs. When we ask He provides bread, when we weep in contrition, He forgives, when we plead for the needs of others, He listens. Then in this last part of the verse we catch a glimpse into the heart of our God, as He gently leads us as we gently lead the ones He has placed in our care! What a wonderful Savior and Caretaker! What an amazing eternal Caregiver and Good Shepherd, we have in Jesus Christ our Lord!
As I sat in the hospital emergency room again last night, I was blessed to see that the television in the room was playing a TBN special with Matthew West. This particular song brought me peace and encouragement in the uncertainty of the moment, and I pray it will also draw you heart to our Savior whatever circumstance you are facing today.
Way More Than They Bargained For
And going into the house they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 ESV
I sometimes try to imagine what the wise men were thinking when they began their journey. These men were a mystery. Some commentators have called them astrologers, some magicians, and still others, some sort of court advisors. The only definite thing we know is that they came from the East of Israel, and their importance was not about their origin, but in their destination. Like everyone since, who has come seeking for Jesus, they had much to learn about the one whom they were seeking along their journey. So, let’s rewind the clock to the beginning of their odyssey. That first day, as they packed not only provisions for themselves, but also their treasures, I wonder if they thought: “Wow these cost me so much, I hope that king we are bringing them to is grateful!”
Then, as they traveled the long the miles, they may have worried about highway robbers, caravan raiders and or even the local thieves at their stops along the way. When they finally arrived in Jerusalem, they were hungry, exhausted, and ready to get their trek over with. But on consulting with the counselors of Herod’s court they discovered that they need to pack their things back up for one more night and head off to a village a few miles from there. I wonder again what was going through their minds as their camels feet clopped up the narrow lanes of Bethlehem. No fine buildings lined the way, and the sights and smells of this rural village certainly didn’t correspond to the value of the treasures in their saddlebags. Nonetheless, the miraculous star continued to guide them, until as the Bible says it, “Came to rest over the place where the child was.” God does not give us all the details of that day, but He tells us that, “When they saw the child…they fell down and worshiped Him.” In that holy moment, their treasures were all forgotten. This child was like no other they had ever met before. His feet were not clad with jewel encrusted sandals. He was not dressed in a fine purple robe, and the wooden stool he sat on was no royal throne. But there was something about Him greater than the miracle of the star and the mystery of the prophecy that predicted His birthplace. The glory of God in some wonderful way surrounded Jesus, and they fell down to worship Him! Then they remembered the gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and the value of what they had brought must have seemed far too small for Him. Their gifts, which they had thought so precious and had guarded with such care, suddenly seemed so small, as they poured them out at His feet. Jesus was way more than they had bargained for and more amazing than they had imagined, but just like the shepherds, they were welcomed and accepted into the house where Jesus was, because they had come to worship Him!
praise2worshipdotnet 
You must be logged in to post a comment.