good news

Silent Night – Mary’s Treasure

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

Luke 2:19-20 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Of all the songs that I relate to Christmas I find that Silent Night is the one that brings me closest to that scene with Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds gathering in amazement and awe around the child sent from God, lying in a manger. In that hush (Though I am skeptical about the line “No crying He makes) there is the true worship that God intended when He sent the Good News of great joy. I pray you will have a wonderful Christmas season sharing that joy with neighbors, friends and family. We now have the job the angels have so today consider going out and looking for some shepherds who are out in the fields and invite them to come and worship Christ the new born king! I hope you will like my rendering of this song written 200 years ago in German by Joseph Mohr with music from Franz Gruber. Its simple beauty still stirs my heart every time I sing. Have a blessed week-end everybody!

A 21st century Christmas

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And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

21 centuries have come and gone since what began as a dark lonely night in Bethlehem. Jesus was not expected that night. Joseph and Mary had planned and hoped for a quiet and safe place but Jesus came to the stable. Mary remembered the messages of Gabriel and her cousin Elizabeth of His greatness but no one even took time to turn their head to notice. The Son of God came into the world on a night when all that was expected was for Joseph to pay his taxes. Though the date is still unknown we set aside December 25 to mark His birth. We can be like shepherds coming in from our fields to tell the wonderful news of God’s salvation. We can be like wise men bringing our gifts and worship because our King is here! We can be Joseph and Mary, ready to leave at moments notice to bring Jesus anywhere God leads us. Yes this world is dark and only the humble have a place for Him and still He comes. Yes powerful forces more evil than Herod wish to eradicate Him from the earth yet He rules a kingdom that can never be overthrown. Yes there are some who will not so much as turn their heads to give notice to His presence but He still accepts frightened shepherds, weary travelers and curious children. He still waits with the good news of great joy for all who believe in Him!

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!