December 7, 2008

Luke 1: 1-38

Listen!

 Do You Hear What I Hear?



Said the night wind to the little lamb

Do you see what I see?

'Way up in the sky, little lamb

Do you see what I see?





A star, a star

Dancing in the night

With a tail as big as a kite

With a tail as big as a kite

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LUKE 

Most honorable Theophilus:

Many people have written accounts about the events that took place among us.  They use as their source material the reports circulating among us from the early disciples and other eyewitnesses of what God has done in fulfillment of his promises.  Having carefully investigated all of these accounts from the beginning, I have decided to write a careful summary for you, to reassure you of the truth of all you were taught.

It all begins with a Jewish priest, Zechariah, who lived when Herod was king of Judea.  Zechariah was a member of priestly order of Abijah.  His wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron.  Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations.  They had no children because Elizabeth was barren, and now they were both very old.

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.  As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary and burn incense in the Lord's presence.  While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

Zechairah was in the sanctuary when an angel of the Lord appeared standing to the right of the incense altar.  Zechariah was overwhelmed with fear.  But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah!  For God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son!  And you are to name him John.  You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice with you at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord.  He must never touch wine or hard liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.  And he will persuade many Israelites to turn to the Lord their God.  He will be a man with the Spirit and power of Elijah, the prophet of old.  He will precede the coming of the Lord, preparing the people for his arrival.  He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and he will change disobedient minds to accept godly wisdom."

Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I know this will happen?  I'm an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years."

Then the angel said, "I am Gabriel!  I stand in the very presence of God.  It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!  And now, since you didn't believe what I said, you won't be able to speak until the child is born.  For my words will certainly come true at the proper time."

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out, wondering why he was taking so long.  When he finally did come out, he couldn't speak to them.  Then they realized from his gestures that he must have seen a vision in the Temple sanctuary.

He stayed at the Temple until his term of service was over, and then he returned home.  Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth became pregnant and went in to seclusion for five months.  How kind the Lord is!" she exclaimed.  "He has taken away my disgrace of having no children!"

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary.  She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.  Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman!  The Lord is with you!"

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.  "Don't be  frightened, Mary," the angel told her, "for God has decided to bless you!  You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus.  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.  And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!

Mary asked the angel, "But how can I have a baby?  I am a virgin."

The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.  What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age!  People used to say she was barren, but she's already in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God."

Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants.  May everything you have said come true."  And then the angel left.     

*** 

Thoughts...

Listen!  

Look what happened when Zechariah listened...being obedient...his prayers were answered and his wife became pregnant.  His wife, Elizabeth listened and believed.  Look what happened when Mary listened...the angel, Gabriel, also told her she would have a son..the Son of God.  And she was obedient.  Obedient enough to listen and believe.  Mary even prayed with willingness to accept whatever the Lord wanted and prayed that everything she had heard would come true.  Look what happened without telephones and computers....Mary listened and learned about her relative Elizabeth's pregnancy and went to her far away. 

Listen!

The Lord wants to speak to you today...this very moment...what will he say to you?  He will say 'come to me'...'believe in me'....'accept all I have for you to be and do'....'pray thanks'.

And what will you say to him?  Will you say, I will listen, Lord?   

Listen!

***

Isaiah 48

Isaiah 48 will speak to your heart, if you but listen!

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Let Us Pray

Lord, let me hear your voice.  Let me feel your arms around me because I sure need a hug.  Let me know that you are fully there...and here...present in my life.  I believe you came to save me.  Save me now.  From myself, from the world, from those who hurt me and those who don't care to even know me...or know my pain...or know my joys, or hear my laughter.  Help me, Lord, because the world is cruel and it feels empty in my heart somedays.  It's hard to get through life and everyday, but I am so grateful that you came to save me.  To give me a new life...if I but listen.  Listen to YOU, Lord.  Not what I want or what I think is best, but what YOU KNOW is best for me....if I but listen.  IF I but listen, I can hear....I CAN hear.....I CAN HEAR YOU, LORD!  LORD, how precious is your life to me...your love...your friendship.  When the rest of the world leaves me alone, I know you are there, Lord.  Carrying me, helping me, befriending me, never leaving me alone.  And loving me.  Fully and completely loving me.  Something I've wanted all my life...to know that you...above all people...fully and completely love me.  Thank you, Lord.  Thank you.  Don't stop now...and help me to not stop loving you and doing for you in obedience and with thanksgiving.  Help me more to be obedient...please.  Give me the time and the financial security to be able to place you first.  Or is it, let me place you first, so that I will have time and financial security?  See how much I need you in my life, Lord....I really need your help, Lord.  Let me always hear your voice....listening....I hear you now!  And I praise your holy name...God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  Hallelujah!  Christ the King!  Amen.       

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation.  

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