This was my first Christmas at Life Care Center since we just moved three months ago to Florida. What a blessing it has been to get involved right away in this community. Our small team went in and sang for two groups of residents today. Of course the Hipaa laws prohibit us from showing any of the people you can hear them singing. One of the highlights was a 104 year old resident who joined us in singing Silent Night! May this little abbreviated version of our visit be a blessing to you tonight. After all Christmas is all about God coming to visit those others have forgotten!
Christmas
Back to Normal?
In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5 ESV
Often our Christmas celebrations end on Christmas Eve. We’ve remembered the stable, the star, the wise men shepherds and Mary. But don’t forget that the next day the shepherds went back to their sheep, the angels to Heaven and Joseph probably got a room at the inn. In other words life pretty much got back to normal – or did it?
The Bible tells us that in Him was life and the life was the light of men. When did that tiny baby begin to shine God’s light? Could it have happened as Mary comforted his cries when they fled from Herod’s soldiers? Could it have begun in Egypt where they lived for years as immigrants and fugitives? The Bible isn’t specific about the details, but tells us that all through those supernatural days and every other day, God’s light was still shining in Jesus.
So on Christmas morning, whether you are watching your children open gifts or if you are alone with a cup of coffee remember His light is still shining for you. He didn’t come just for days when the wise men opened gifts, the angels sang and shepherds wondered. Jesus came for every dark day. Jesus was born to walk through every war-zone, sit at every kitchen table and ride along in the ambulance to every emergency room. He doesn’t leave us when we fail, get in trouble, or fall ill. He stays through good times and bad. He is not only the light of the world: He is the light of our world and no darkness can ever put it out!
Immanuel (God’s Secret Identity!)
“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
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