Birth of Christ

Mary’s Treasure

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But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Luke 2:19 NIV

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I fumed in frustration as we sat on the tarmac awaiting clearance for take-off. I could see from my window two mechanics working on the jet engine hanging from the wing on my side of the plane. It wasn’t just the forty-five minutes of waiting that bothered me but also the worry of missing our connecting flight and the feeling of things being out of control in my life.

As Mary pulled the blankets up around her hoping to get some sleep while Jesus dozed in the manger on that first Christmas night, we would certainly have understood if she had felt that way too. After all, she had just traveled 90 miles by donkey while being nine months pregnant. Then, after they arrived in Bethlehem no one had any room for them to stay, so she was forced to give birth in a stable. Finally, just as her newborn baby had settled down and to sleep, a crowd of shepherds stampeded in and began singing and shouting something about angels. Wow what a night! Maybe some of us would have just simply broken down in tears at that point. But the Bible tells us that instead, Mary took time to think about all those things which, were entirely beyond her control. Then instead of complaining, she treasured them in her heart. Mary remembered that everything that had happened that night was because God had promised her a miracle child and on that day she had said, “May it be according to your word.” She knew that even though she wasn’t in control: God was. She knew that regardless of what things looked like from the outside; God was working everything for good. By the way, we had a safe flight; our plane still landed right on time and God taught me that every day is a treasure when we trust in His control.

Mary’s Treasure by Peter Caligiuri 2020 All rights reserved

The Christmas Lamb

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And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:16-17 NKJV

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The beautiful manger scene at the entrance to the Assisted Living facility looked a little funny to me the first time that I passed it the other day. I saw wise men and shepherds; Mary, Joseph and lots of sheep but where was Jesus? When I asked at the desk they told me that one of the residents had pointed out that they couldn’t put Jesus in before Christmas because He wasn’t born until then. It seemed pretty logical to me so I shrugged my shoulders and laughed and then went in to sing carols. The following day as I brought some gifts that our church had donated I noticed a change in the Nativity. There was still no baby but someone had felt the empty manger needed an occupant and so a lamb was put in the place of Jesus. What better story could be told than the lamb of God laid in the manger at Christmas and laid and nailed on the cross just 33 Christmases later. God Bless and Merry Christmas!

 

Happy Birthday Jesus!

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“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?  For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  Matthew 2:2 ESV

Long ago when we were bringing children from our neighborhood to church we go to know a five year old boy named Dylan. One week when it was almost Christmas they were having a special Sunday school program, but Dylan wanted nothing to do with it unless one of us went with him. So I gently took his hand and we walked down the stairs to the little classroom together. There we sat in a circle on grade school sized chairs as the teacher talked about the Christmas story. Then she passed out cupcakes with a candle for each child.

blue and white candle on cupcake

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“Now Jesus was born on Christmas so let’s sing happy birthday to Him!” the teacher said smiling. First she carefully lit each candle and then we began to sing. Just as the last note faded Dylan happened to look up at a picture on the wall behind the teacher. There was a painting of Jesus but instead of a nativity scene, it depicted the Last Supper. As he looked closely, Dylan’s eyes got bigger and bigger until in excitement he jumped up, pointed to the wall and shouted, “Look it’s Jesus’ birthday party!”

Now, thirty years later, I have forgotten all the sermons I heard preached in that church, but the words of Dylan remain in my heart. This Christmas morning as we remember the wise men, shepherds angels, remember with Dylan whose birthday it is as you offer your heart to Him!