FOR UNTO US, A CHILD IS BORN

“For unto us a child is born, unto us, a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace… Isaiah 9:6.”

We all love little children, especially when they are just born. They are so special, so cute, and just so amazingly small. Jesus was born into this world, but His birth was supernatural in several ways.

First, it was foretold hundreds of years before. In both this verse, Isaiah 7:14 and Micah 5:2, we are shown who his mother will be and where He will be born. Incredible detail is set forth, this is one of the reasons why the birth of Jesus, is the most amazing event of history.

Second, look at the names Jesus was given. Has any baby, been called these names? He is truly all these things. He is the Prince of Peace; He brings peace. He is the mighty God; He is divine and He is Wonderful beyond words.

Third, because of His birth, Isaiah 7 says it will be to a virgin. Dr. Luke in chapter 1 of his gospel (verses 26-38) takes us through the virgin birth in detail. Now Luke was a medical doctor, but he makes a great play on this small son called Jesus. If Luke who knew about these things, had confidence in this, how much more should we have when we learn this for ourselves? The birth of Jesus should be proclaimed as a supernatural event. We should not hide what happened. If God hadn’t done it, then Jesus would have been just like us. Instead, He was pure and without sin.

Last, a child was born to us. Jesus came to us, sinful man. Remember God could and should have washed His hands with man, but God, great in Grace in Mercy, sent Jesus. Jesus came to us; the High King of Heaven was given to us.

We all like gifts at Christmas, but not many people take the precious gift of Jesus, who was given to us. When Jesus left heaven, the Father knew what would happen, He knew the path would lead to the cross, but He knew that Jesus would accomplish the work of salvation through His death and resurrection and would then ascend back up to heaven. This Christmas season let us receive Him with joy, just like the shepherds, wise men and His parents did.

God bless you, Keith

Simeon: A key player in the Christmas Story (Luke 2-25-35)

It has been said shepherds in the fields were taught by angels but the prophet Simeon in the Temple was taught by the Holy Spirit. As we celebrate this Christmas season together, the prophet Simeon is a biblical character worthy of our investigation.

Simeon’s life is marked by devotion to the Word of God and faithfulness to the promises of God. He is a man that saw things through the eyes of faith in spite of contradicting circumstances around him and God used him and still uses his example to bless many. He epitomizes a life lived by faith so the Light of God might be brought to those in darkness. Simeon’s life can encourage our walk with the Lord, as Christmas and the New Year approaches.

First, Simeon allowed himself to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Scripture tells us he was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Messiah.

Simeon’s very name is very indicative of his character. Simeon means “hearing” or “one who obeys.” Simeon was led by the Spirit of God, taught by the Word of God and obedient to the will of God. He serves as proof that a life led by the Holy Spirit will be righteous and devout.

Simeon teaches us when we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives, God will reveal His deeper truths of Scripture to us. At the same time, he also causes us to question who is controlling our lives. Simeon ’was willing to die to self that he might live for Christ and we, as disciples, should do the same. (Read Galatians 2:20)

Second, Simeon was prepared to die. In Luke 2:28-29, he took the baby Jesus in his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing your bondservant to depart in peace, According to Your word.”

The Bible doesn’t say “Get Ready”, it says, “Be Ready.” Death can come at anytime. It has been said, “Only those by faith that have had a sight of Christ can with courage see death and look it in the face without terror.” Like Simeon, those ready to meet the Lord can say, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sing?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)

Christmas means for the Christian that the appointed time of death will be liberating. Death frees us in Christ from the burden of this life and leads into the blessings of the next.

Third, Simeon cared for all lost souls. He knew God prepared the Christ child for all people. The Lord revealed to him that Jesus would be a light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of the people of Israel. In Simeon’s eyes, Jesus was the Light of the world not just a candle in the Jewish candlestick. God gave him the vision to see beyond his own agenda, his own people and his own nation into the divine plan of God through which all people could be reconciled to God through His Son.

Finally, Simeon blessed others by sharing the Word of God. He blessed Mary and Joseph and told Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed and a sword will pierce even your own soul to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” People are blessed when we by faith share the Word of God with them. It is often the very thing people need to hear.

Simeon’s life boldly asks the question to those who have ears to hear: “What do you think of Jesus Christ?” Your response determines not only how you live but also where you spend eternity when your time of departure comes. 

A LIGHT SHINING IN A DARK PLACE

“And so, we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts…2 Peter 1:19.”

A few years ago, my wife and I were watching “Season of Light: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir” on our local PBS station. The evening’s narrator, the renowned actor Sir David Suchet, powerfully recounted the story of Sir Nicholas George Winton who is often referred to as “Britain’s Schindler”.

He was a young British stockbroker and humanitarian when, in December 1938, he canceled a trip to go skiing in Switzerland and instead went to visit a friend in Prague who was helping refugees fleeing from the Nazis. That visit changed his life — and the lives of many others.

Winton assisted in the rescue of 669 children, most of them Jewish, from Czechoslovakia on the eve of World War II. He helped compile a list of children needing rescue and, returning to Britain, he worked to fulfill the legal requirements of bringing the children to Britain and finding homes and sponsors for them. Many of the parents they left behind perished in Nazi concentration camps.

Winton’s humanitarian accomplishments remained unknown and unnoticed by the world for nearly 50 years until 1988 when he was invited to the BBC television program called “That’s Life!” where he was reunited with dozens of the children he had helped come to Britain and was introduced to many of their children and grandchildren. Some of those he saved were affectionally called “Winton’s Children” or “Nicky’s Family” because Winton was the only connection to their parents who made the ultimate sacrifice for their safety many years before.

After airing “That’s Life”, the British press celebrated Winton and dubbed him the “British Schindler”. In 2003, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for “services to humanity, in saving Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia”. On October 28, 2014, he was awarded the highest honor of the Czech Republic, the Order of the White Lion. His humanitarian work continues and after a long and fruitful life of pursuing what he called active goodness, Winton died on July 1, 2015, at the age of 106, yet his light still shines brightly in the hearts of others.

We were deeply touched by hearing about Winton’s life and the sacrifices these parents made for their children. It brought to mind the words of The Apostle John concerning Our Savior who shined His Light for us:

“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” (John 1:4)

Jesus promised us in John 8:12: “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life.” What a glorious truth for each of us to grasp during our time!

Jesus is The Light that brings life to an otherwise darkened place, and we are His Light carriers! The Lord’s Light is intended to bring joy and peace to this fallen world. As a city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, we are to let our lights shine.

Granted, we cannot all be Nicholas Winton for he was chosen by God for his special time and place. But his life story shows what one light shining in a dark place can accomplish.

Our prayer, especially during this Christmas season, should be that the Lord will make us a light that shines into a dark place until we reach that eternal shore where Light never ends and darkness no longer prevails.

CHRISTMAS BELLS

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men…Luke 2:14.”

Never a poet put pen to paper with more skill than Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He was a legend in his lifetime and known in many circles as “The Children’s Poet.” Until the release of the 2022 movie, “I Heard the Bells”, few may remember that tragedy struck in the Longfellow home on July 9, 1861. His wife, Fanny, was near an open window placing locks of her daughter’s hair in a packet, using hot sealing wax to secure it. It was never known whether a spark from a match or the sealing wax was the cause, but suddenly her dress caught fire and she was engulfed in flames.

Henry, sleeping in the next room, was awakened by her screams and dashed in to rescue her. He was severely burned on his face and hands as he tried desperately to extinguish the flames and save his wife. Fanny died in the fire and Henry’s burns were so severe he could not attend her funeral. After Fanny’s death, Henry seemed to lock the anguish within his soul. Life had lost its joy for him. His family could see his suffering in his eyes, and they observed his long periods of silence. The burn scars on his face made shaving almost impossible and perhaps were only exceeded by the scars on his broken heart.

Two years after Fanny’s death, during the American Civil War, Henry’s oldest son, Charles Appleton Longfellow, joined the Union cause as a soldier without his father’s blessing. Henry was informed by a letter dated March 14, 1863, after Charles had left. Charles soon got an appointment as a lieutenant but, in November of that year, he was severely wounded in the Battle of New Hope Church (in Virginia), during the Mine Run Campaign. It was thought at the time Charles would be paralyzed although he eventually recovered. This event only compounded Henry’s grief. Drowning in despair, he needed the peace only God could give to his children during such a time. Perhaps Henry sought the words of Jesus in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

While seeking to capture the dynamic and dissonance in his own heart and the world observed around him, Henry heard the Christmas bells that December day in 1863 and the singing of “Peace on Earth” (Luke 2;14). But Henry observed the world of injustice and violence that seemed to mock the truthfulness of this optimistic outlook. Desperately he tried to reflect on the joys of the season as he wrote the words:

“I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.”

As Henry came to the third stanza, he was stopped by the thought of the condition of his beloved country. The Civil War was in full swing. The battle of Gettysburg was not more than six months past. The days looked dark. In those moments, he must have asked himself, “How can the last phrase of those stanzas be true in this war-torn country, where brother fights against brother and father against son?” However, Henry lamented:

“And in despair, I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men!”

Hate did appear strong to Henry as it is today and seems to mock the song of “peace on earth, goodwill to men”. But, Henry turned his thoughts upward to the One who solves all problems. From his pen flowed the words…

“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, goodwill to men.”

The bells heard on that Christmas Day in 1863 had brought forth a light into Henry’s heart and writing which overpowered his darkness and grief. It was as if God the Father was telling Henry to look to His Son for: “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:4-5) And in a moment of epiphany, Henry was overshadowed by a settledness of confident hope and peace even amid the bleak despair all around him. It is the same confident hope and peace the Lord offers us this Christmas Day. It is a peace and hope which caused the Prophet Habakkuk in the Old Testament to say:

Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the Lord,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places…Habakkuk 3:17-19.”

Henry, the widowed father of six children, titled the poem he wrote that day, “Christmas Bells”. The words were later set to music by Englishman John Calkin. The result is one of our most popular Christmas carols, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”. Millions of children and adults, the world over, love this carol that brought this one gifted man from the darkness to the light.

So, on this Christmas Day be encouraged. The bells are still ringing and people are still singing. Peace and goodwill shall one day come when the Prince of Peace shall reign. Because of His birth in a manger, his death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead, we can proclaim: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men…Luke 2:14.”

Joseph 

By Mike Hoskins 

As  amazing as the event ls are,  from the birth of the Savior, to the star and the visiting astrologers from the east, thry are simply a prelude to the greatest story ever told: the passion, death and resurrection of our Messiah and Lord. The amazing love shown by God, to lower Himself from his omnipotent position, to humble Himself and take on human flesh, to reach down to fallen mankind, and make a way home to Him, is the central focus of history. The world today chooses to look the other way. I pray when they do look, you and I will be standing in their field of view, showing them the same love. 

Matthew 1:19 -21, 25-26 NASB

And her husband Joseph, since he was a righteous man, and did not want to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had thought this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” … 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and He named Him Jesus. 

In these few passages, we have the bulk of what we know about Joseph, the Stepfather of Jesus, the husband of Mary. These passages may be few, but they speak volumes.

• “And Joseph her husband …” This speaks of the seriousness of the period of betrothal that Joseph and Mary had entered into by mutual consent. Joseph was considered Mary’s husband, even though they were not yet married. This period of betrothal was equivalent to marriage in very many ways. So similar,  in fact, that if Joseph had put Mary away, it would have required a divorce decree to break the betrothal. The divorce could also have placed the very life of Mary in jeopardy, since it seemed that she had ‘obviously’ been unfaithful, so she could have been stoned as an adulteress.
• “Since He was a righteous man” – Joseph had a good reputation as honest and dependable. And his heart was right before God. Of course, no one is righteous, but Joseph’s heart was toward God. He needed the coming Messiah as much as anyone, and he knew it. Little could he have dreamed, that his young wife would bring the Promised One of Israel into the world.
• “not wanting to disgrace her, planned to put her away secretly” – This shows me how much he must have still cared for Mary, even when he felt that she had almost certainly been unfaithful to him. He was still protecting her, by not publicly humiliating her and placing her life in danger. Surely his father and mother would have been insisting that the marriage be ended. To put her away would be to hand her a divorce decree. His father probably would have approved of putting Mary away privately to spare his son, the girl and his family the terrible public spectacle and memory. Another mark of the maturity of Joseph.
• “But when he had thought this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him” Joseph is visited here by an angel of the Lord, who assured him that Mary had not been untrue to him, that she had not lied and that she did indeed carry the Messiah under her heart. There is no question recorded here. Zechariah and Mary both questioned the revelations they received, but not Joseph.
• “And Joseph awoke from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife” – His obedience was complete and immediate. It sounds to me, very much, as if they ran off to a Rabbi or a “Justice of the Peace” of the day, and were married. There may have been a slight delay, but I’m sure it happened as soon as it could have been arranged. Imagine his relief when he realized that Mary did love him as much as he thought she had. And he now knew her love was true, and his suspicions, though logical, were unfounded. I’m sure the first thing he did was apologize to her. Imagine Mary’s surprise, relief and excitement when the knock on the door in the middle of the night was Joseph, and that she had been exonerated in his eyes and heart.
• “But kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he  named Jesus” The consummation of the typical marriage, which Mary and Joseph had to forego, usually happened during the wedding feast. Socially, Mary had been spared by Joseph, to a large degree. But the stigma of carrying an illegitimate child must have stuck to her like glue. Joseph was probably seen in a slightly better light for having sacrificed to help Mary. But his judgment and his obviously emotional decision would be called into question. But it was done. They were married and awaited the birth of a child. Joseph honored God by not consummating the marriage, foregoing his rights. In so doing, he could not, nor could anyone else, claim that Jesus was his son. The virgin birth of Christ had been foretold, and now could not be contested by Joseph. His obedience was complete to the last detail, in naming the child Jesus, or Savior, as he had been instructed.

There is wonderful, delightful irony in all of this. Joseph taught Jesus to be a carpenter. The Creator of the Universe, being taught to cut and plane the boards He held together by the power of His will — otherwise, the atoms would simply fly apart. Joseph was working hard to be a father to the Son of God, who planned Joseph’s existence in eternity past. Joseph taking Jesus to Synagogue, to learn the scriptures that Jesus had handed to Moses and others, years before.

These are two remarkable young people. It was probably the secret dream of every young girl to be the one to bear the Messiah. They were probably around the ages of 14 to 16. They were thrown into a situation they could not explain logically, and where the truth made them appear as liars, or worse. What they said and believed flew in the face of common sense and many religious beliefs. The coming Messiah would be a King, and would free the nation from their oppressors. And in the middle of all of these things, Mary and Joseph had the typical trepidations of all expectant parents to deal with, too. Joseph was now working to feed two and soon three. During the period of betrothal, the husband would make a small addition to his father’s house for them. She would prepare many things for the home, including clothes and tablecloths, making many of the things with her mother. The period of betrothal typically lasted about a year. All this had been cut short. Some precious things had to be sacrificed. Through it all, they stood with each other. Joseph certainly learned to lead his family quickly. Mary looked to his leadership. And both looked to God, Who had honored and blessed them so greatly. Certainly they leaned on Him as they leaned on each other, as they journeyed onward. Their sacrifices would not go unrewarded as they watched Jesus grow.

Prayers: Lord Jesus, You selected Joseph so carefully. Thank you for his strong example, believing You when the whole world and all the logic he could muster were against him. Help we husbands to learn from his example of love and devotion to his young bride and to You. Build that kind of trusting heart into each of us. Amen. 

Grace & Peace,
Mike

The Heart of Christmas – God’s Goodwill Towards Us

Scripture Reading:

Luke 2:13 – 14 (NKJV) Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’

Introduction

• Whether or not you choose to celebrate the birth of Jesus at this time of the year, one thing we can all be deeply grateful for is the goodwill of God towards us.
• The message of Christmas is more than a date on the calendar, it’s a reminder that God’s heart towards humanity is one of love, mercy, and grace.
• When the angels announced, ‘Peace on earth, goodwill toward men’ they were declaring Heaven’s great truth: that God is for us, not against us.
• His goodwill is His kindness in action, shown to us through Jesus Christ, Who came to bring peace, hope, and salvation to all.

1. WHAT IS GOODWILL?

• Goodwill is not a term we use often today.
• Goodwill is described as a benevolent, kind and generous intention or action towards others.
• It is an attitude of kindness, mercy, and compassion that can be expressed through service, generosity, and forgiveness.
• Goodwill can be seen in the following ways:
  Through acts of kindness and generosity.
  In the giving of support and encouragement
  In displaying a positive attitude towards others.
  In the desire for the wellbeing of someone else.

2. WHAT IS THE GOODWILL OF GOD TOWARDS MEN?

• 1. His divine favour towards us: 
  The concept of goodwill is often linked to God’s favour and pleasure towards those who are righteous. Psalm 5:12 ‘You surround them with the shield of Your favour.’
• 2. His kind gift to us:
  The birth of Jesus is announced as ‘peace on earth, goodwill toward men’ (Luke 2:14), highlighting God’s inherent kindness and goodwill towards humanity as seen through the birth and the gift of Christ.
• 3. His transformative power in us: 
  Philippians 2:13 states that God ‘works in you to will and to act for His good purpose,’ suggesting that goodwill is a divine quality God cultivates in believers. 

3. GOODWILL IS GOD’S HEART TOWARDS ALL MANKIND

• The birth of Jesus was God’s ultimate expression of goodwill, His kindness, mercy, and love revealed to the world.
• We live in a world that often feels harsh and divided, but Christmas reminds us that God’s heart is full of peace and favour toward us.
• John 3:16: ‘For God so loved the world…’ that is goodwill in action.
• God’s goodwill is not earned; it is freely given through Christ.
• All mankind includes you.
• In fact, this goodwill is something personal that we all need to reach out and receive, because it is meant for each one of us.
• You are not excluded from the lovingkindness in God’s heart towards people.
• Right now, He is reaching out to you and He wants you to experience His goodwill for yourself.
• You are seen, you are valued, and you are loved by God and that is His goodwill towards you.
• May His goodwill towards you become a living reality to you at this most wonderful time of the year.

4. GOODWILL BRINGS PEACE TO THE TROUBLED HEART

• The angels’ message included both peace and goodwill, because the two are connected.
• When we understand that God is for us, and not against us, peace fills our hearts.
• Romans 5:1: ‘Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’
• If you know in your heart that someone has goodwill in their heart towards you, you don’t need to doubt and you can feel reassured and enjoy peace because of the goodwill towards you.
• May you recognise that God has goodwill, kindness, compassion and love for you.
• Let this great fact become a foundation for your life and realise that God has good things in store for you and let this bring peace to your heart and mind.
• Christmas is an invitation to rest, to let go of anxiety and trust in the Prince of Peace.

5. GOODWILL IS THE GIFT WE GET TO GIVE BACK

• God’s goodwill toward us should flow through us towards others.
• True goodwill is seen when we extend grace, compassion, and generosity.
• Ephesians 4:32: ‘Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.’
• This is a time to forgive, to bless, to reach out, and to let love be shared with others.
• Just as God extended His goodwill to us, we are called to reflect it to the world.
• Acts of kindness, generosity, forgiveness, and encouragement demonstrate God’s character.
• 2 Corinthians 5:20: ”We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors…”
  We carry His message of reconciliation and goodwill.
• When we show goodwill to others, we point people to Jesus, the greatest Gift of all.
• For this very reason this is a season when we give gifts to others because God set the example for us in the giving of the gift of His Son.

6. GOODWILL IS THE HOPE THAT KEEPS US GOING

• The angels sang of peace on earth, and this is a promise that still echoes through time.
• Even in troubled days, God’s goodwill reminds us that His plan for the world and for us is good.
• Jeremiah 29:11: ‘For I know the plans I have for you… plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’
• God’s goodwill is the guarantee that our story ends in hope and not in despair.
• The angels’ announcement was Heaven’s declaration that God’s heart had moved toward mankind in love and not judgment.
• Before the birth of Jesus, humanity was separated from God, but through Christ, goodwill – God’s favour – was restored.
• Romans 5:8: ‘But God demonstrates His Own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’
• God’s goodwill means He is not distant or angry.
• He is near, loving, and actively working in our lives.
• We have this wonderful hope and that should inspire you to press on and keep going.

Conclusion:

• The first Christmas began with heaven singing over earth; ‘Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.’
• That same message still echoes today.
• God’s goodwill towards you has not changed.
• Receive it, rest in it, and reflect it to others.
• Let this Christmas be marked not just by celebration, but with the knowledge that God’s favour rests on you and by allowing the kindness of God to flow through your life.

Joseph

By Charles Stambaugh

    As a father of two sons. I often wondered what it would be like to be the earthly father of Jesus. With what Joseph went through; he has the right to be called a Saint. He was given the responsibility to take care of Mary and raise the Christ child. Wow. This Christmas, let’s try and put ourselves in his shoes. 

    A God-honoring young female,named Mary, was engaged to Joseph. He was also a God-honoring man.  He was a descendant of King David. But Mary had a situation. She was expecting a child, and she had to tell Joseph. Joseph was taken aback, hurt, upset, mad, and had a hard time believing the story that the Holy Spirit caused Mary to be pregnant with the Son of God. To save face, Joseph was going to have Mary put away privately. According to Jewish law, she was to be stoned to death before the child was born. But an angel then came to Joseph. The angel said that the story that Mary told was true. Now, Joseph had a bigger issue. Does he believe the angel and disobey what he had been taught? Was this just a bad dream? Who could he ask? Who would believe him? What would people think about moving up the wedding? Would they figure out that the baby came too soon? By faith, he put away his feelings and fears. He trusted and acted on what he believed was God’s plan.

    But then, there want out a decree that all the world should be taxed. Since Joseph was from Bethlehem, he and Mary had to go there. 

   This had to make Joseph upset, to travel by donkey, with Mary expecting a child. When they finally arrived, there was no room for them in any inn. They had to bed down in a stable next to animals. Then Mary went into labor. Any husband would be stressed during childbirth. But here was Joseph in a strange town, not knowing anyone, after a long frustrating day, in a dirty barn, with a wife screaming in labor, no crib or baby clothes. After the birth, these shepherds and others came because an angel told them that Christ the Lord was born. What a stressful first Christmas. 

    Six days later, Joseph took Jesus to be circumcised and to  offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord. There were several there that recognized the baby as the Saviour of the world. A short time later, these wise men from afar came knocking on the door. They brought gifts, told the story of the star, and worshiped the baby Jesus. Both Mary and Joseph pondered all these things and kept them in their hearts. But Joseph was soon visited with angels telling him to flee to Egypt because Herod the king was killing all the baby boys. Mountain-top joy turned to fear and frustration. Now, he had to leave family and friends and travel with Mary and a baby to a country that he knew nothing about. 

   The last time Joseph was mentioned in the Bible was when Jesus was 12 years old and was missing. They supposed Jesus was in the company of his kinsfolk. They spent three days looking for him. He was found in the temple, talking with the religious leaders. Mary said: “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee, sorrowing.” It is not stated if Joseph punished Jesus for this. Joseph had to train Jesus in many things as He was growing up. They had to have father-and-son talks which may have included His deity. Joseph must have wondered what to think about this child as being God. It is not stated that he ever told his kinsfolk, friends, and other children who Jesus was. Joseph died before Jesus started His public ministry, but he was chosen to help prepare the Christ child to be the Saviour of the World. 

   “If a type is to be sought in the character of Joseph, it is that of a simple, honest, hard-working, God-fearing man, who was possessed of large sympathies and a warm heart. Strict in the observance of Jewish law and custom, he was yet ready when occasion arose to make these subservient to the greater law of the Spirit. He was quick to make answer to what he perceived to be the direct call of God. Joseph is known to us only as a dim figure in the background of the Gospel narratives, yet his whole-hearted reconciliation to Mary, even in the face of possible slandering by his neighbors, his complete self-sacrifice, when he left all and fled into Egypt to save the infant Jesus, are indicative that he was not unworthy to fulfill the great trust which was imposed upon him by the Eternal Father.”1  

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 KJV

The Wednesday Word 

Feliz Navidad

Miles McKee

I really enjoy the Christmas season.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe for one moment that December 25th was Jesus’ actual birthday.  And yes, I know that this time of the year is much too commercialised and it’s true that there isn’t a red nosed reindeer to be found anywhere in the Bible … but I still like the idea of remembering the birth of Christ.

At the heart of the Christmas season, we have the wonderful message of the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

But who is the Lord Jesus Christ?

The prophet Isaiah takes the guess work out of this matter for in Isaiah 9:6-7 we read, ‘- unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

 This scripture is one of the most translucent declarations of the identity of Christ.  Here we see clearly His dual nature (His humanity and deity) on display. By the way, if we don’t understand that Christ Jesus was both fully God and fully man, we will get confused and not understand that sometimes He speaks as God and at other times speaks as man.

According to the prophet, the child who was born is both the Mighty God and the Everlasting Father.  Faith embraces this fact.  John Owen, the great Puritan says, “—That the Mighty God should be a child born and the Everlasting Father a Son given unto us may well entitle him to the name Wonderful.”

 (John Owen: The Works of John Owen: Volume One: Chapter 3: p47).

 Yes indeed, so great is the mystery of Christ that He is at the same time the child born and the mighty God!  We may not understand how He can be both, but Isaiah plainly states the fact of the matter.

 Look at your Saviour and worship: He is

Wonderful,

Counsellor,

The Mighty God

And the Everlasting Father.

You must change the text (as indeed some have) to avoid the grand conclusion that Christ is indeed our God. It was our God who came to the manger. Indeed, it was our God who purchased us with His blood.

Furthermore, do you see how the text declares Christ’s eternity? Only God is eternal. Everything else has a beginning. But Christ is called the “Everlasting” Father! Some have rendered this “the Father of Eternity” while others say it should be translated “Author of Eternity.” Call it any way you like, it doesn’t matter, His Godhead is proven.  Spurgeon throws some excellent light on the eternity of Christ in his sermon on this passage saying: “He (Christ) is here pictured as the source and Father of eternity.  Jesus is not the child of eternity but the Father of it. Eternity did not bring Him forth from its mighty bowels, but he brought forth eternity. Independent, self-sustained, uncreated, eternal existence is with Jesus our Lord and God.

(CHS: His Name, The Everlasting Father: Sermon # 724).

 As Gospel purposed believers, the incarnation is such a vital part of our message that we don’t even have to wait until Christmas to mention and celebrate it.  No indeed, in the Gospel, we continually remember the wonderful truth of the birth of Christ. The good news is that the eternal God came here Himself and did something about our predicament. The Eternal One became flesh and blood, lived, died and rose again on our behalf. The Scriptures are clear on this matter. The believer doesn’t need a white Christmas to be joyful. Our hearts are already celebrating because of the wonderful truth of the incarnation.

 And that’s the Gospel Truth!