Journey to the Manger: Part II

Meditation on Luke 2:1-20

"Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them" (NASB95).

Christmas is now basically right around the corner. It is merely a little over 24 hours away. Hopeful you are finished or nearly finished with your holiday shopping. With all the hussle of the season, I hope that you have found time to spend mediating on the true reason for the season in the midst of the choas.

Hopefully you can spend the next two days with friends and family. But more importantly, hopefully you will take time to celebrate and worship Christ's birth. Find time to read the account of Christ's birth with your family this season. Give thanks to God for giving us his only son.

Journey to the Manger: Part I

Meditation on Isaiah 7:10-16

With Christmas right around the corner, it is only fitting to do a mini-series entitled Journey to the Manger. Christmas as become for the most part nothing more than a commercial holiday with nearing no acknowledgment of the true meaning of Christmas. It is sad that the real meaning for the season is over shadowed with commercialism.

It is easy to get got up with all the chaos of the season: the crowds at the malls, traffic being heavier in the store parking lots, the aisles at the stores overflowing with people trying to get those last minute gifts. Are you in the midst of all this chaos? Are fighting the crowds?

While being in the midst of the chaos, are you focusing on the mission at hand? Or are you thinking of the reason for the season? It is for this reason that I am doing this mini-series.

I would like to draw your attention Isaiah 7:10-16: "Then the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; make it deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord!” Then he said, “Listen now, O house of David! Is it too slight a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God as well? “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. “He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good. “For before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be forsaken" (NASB95).

I want to challenge you to spend some time meditating on the above passage this week.

Call to Worship: Recognize the Priority of Worship

Meditation on Ezra 3:1-7

Have you ever given serious thought to how you view worship in your life? Do you participate in worship, both public and private, on a regular basis? Do you recognize the priority of worship? If you do recognize the priority of worship, do you take time out of your busy schedule to worship?

The background of the passage on which this meditation is based on is crucial to the significance of this text. Ezra begins with the story of God's people returning to the Promised Land after a time of exile. God's judgment upon Judah was over.

Notice what one of the first things that God's people did after they returned to the Promised Land. Read Ezra 3:1-7:

"Now when the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem. Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brothers arose and built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God. So they set up the altar on its foundation, for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt offerings morning and evening. They celebrated the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the fixed number of burnt offerings daily, according to the ordinance, as each day required; and afterward there was a continual burnt offering, also for the new moons and for all the fixed festivals of the Lord that were consecrated, and from everyone who offered a freewill offering to the Lord. From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, but the foundation of the temple of the Lord had not been laid. Then they gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food, drink and oil to the Sidonians and to the Tyrians, to bring cedar wood from Lebanon to the sea at Joppa, according to the permission they had from Cyrus king of Persia" (NASB95).

I would like for you to take a few moments to brainstorm for reasons why you think the Israelites gave priority to worship. Now ask yourself, which reasons that you thought of might also be reasons for God's children to give priority to worship today?

Did you notice that the people first responded to God's work by rebuilding the altar at the site of the temple? Did you notice that they rebuilt the altar in accordance with the law of Moses? Did you notice that they worshipped God despite their fear of those surrounding them?

Why do you think regular worship, public and private, is essential for the work God accomplishes through us? How have recent worship experiences enabled you to serve God better?

What reasons do you have to praise God today? Tomorrow?

There are three biblical truths that need to be stressed for spiritual transformation with regards on recognizing the priority of worship in your life.

1. When God gives you opportunities to serve Him, you should respond to them with joy, gratitude, and determination.

2. Since the Lord's work actually is work the Lord accomplishes and since godless people often oppose those in His work, you who participate in His work need to maintain a close relationship with God through regular times of worship, both public and private.

3. You need to participate in corporate worship since public praise glorifies God, encourages believers, and is a witness to unbelievers.

My challenge to you and to myself is this: set aside more time each day for private worship.