December 24, 2018

  Prophecy Fulfilled 

Isaiah 11:1-3, 11:10 & Luke 1:1-2:38

Isaiah & Luke 

Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot - yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.  And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.  He will delight in obeying the LORD.//

In that day the heir to David's throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world.//

….Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea.  David's ancient home.  He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.  He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  She gave birth to her first child, a son.  She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.  That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them.  They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said.  "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!  The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!  And this is how you will recognize him:  You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others - the armies of heaven - praising God:

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors."

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem!  Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. "

They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph.  And there was the baby, lying in the manger.  Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherd's story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often.  The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.    

***

 Thoughts....

"Listen!  Do you hear what I hear?"

"I don't hear anything."

"Yes, exactly.  It's the beauty of the night.  The quiet, solitude, almost a Holy night.  Blessed stillness.  The stars are brightly shining.  Not even a bell to be heard.

I remember reading a prophecy that a baby would be born, a son would be given, the world would have a Savior.  Did you read it?"

"Yes, maybe it was on a night like this."

"Oh, oh, oh wait, do you see it?  That star....over three.  It's getting brighter, it appears as if it's coming closer.  It's almost like a cross, so brilliant in the sky."

"Hush....did you hear that?  It sounded like a baby crying....or the cry of a lamb." 

"Where is that star going?  Are we moving or is the star heading for Bethlehem?  Glory, it's right over us now." 

"Hush, that is a baby.  And listen, I can hear the sheep, the cows, a donkey is even baying."

"Merciful be to heaven, look!  Look at that dove heading for the stable.  How beautiful it's wings are spread....almost appearing ready to embrace the fullness of love."   

"We need to follow."

"Wait, lets' pray."

'Come, he told them....a new born lamb to see.'

"Let's pick laden branches soft with dew along the way for gifts to bring.  Where shall we go?"

'The finest gifts they bring,

to set before the King....

So to honor him,

When they come'

"The star, the dove, they hover over the stable.  Let's run, once we get lower on the mountain."

'O little town of Bethlehem

How still we see you lie

Above the dark and dreamless sleep

The silent starts go by.

Yet in the dark streets shineth

An ever lasting light

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight.'

"It really was a baby you heard!  Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world!  Have mercy on us."

"Let's lay our branches around his manger.  They will shelter him and help to keep him warm.  He'll know we've been here, and, they will feed the animals adoring him now."

"We must give the mother time for suckling, while he is out of the manger."

'Away in a manger,

No crib for a bed....

The cattle are lowing.... 

The poor baby wakes....'

"Look at his eyes, he's awake now.  I've never seen a baby with a look of such intense love."

"'O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him'....our King has been born."

"Wait.  Isn't that Mary?"

"How do you know her?"

"We've studied God's word together at the Temple."

'What child is this who laid to rest

On Mary's lap is sleeping

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom Shepherds guard and angels sing,

Haste, haste to bring him laud

The babe, the son of Mary.'

"Mary has given birth to the Lamb of God!"

Mary did you know, that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our son's and daughters?

Mary, did you know, that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God?

Oh, Mary, did you know? 

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb?

That this sleeping child you're holding, is the great, I am? *

"Let's go back up the mountain and tell everyone." 

'Go tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

That Jesus Christ is born.'

  Let Us Pray

Jesus, we praise even the day you were born when prophecy was fulfilled.  You, your life, are gifts for all.  Thank you, God, for giving life to your son, giving him for all to seek him.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for guiding Joseph and Mary to shelter, and the embrace of your love for the Savior born.  Guide us all now, as we seek him as our Savior, show him our love, and abide with him.  Those are the gifts he wants us to give him.  Everyone, in heaven and earth, praise the Lord!

              Happy Birthday, Jesus!            

***

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 More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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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. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

Respect....Embrace....Encourage!

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baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

***

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***

  Our Continual Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, animals, the earth, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you ! 

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***

  One last thing....

Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

***

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

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