Matthew 2:1-12 shows us the cost of Christmas. Usually we mean this negatively -- what is Christmas going to cost me? There is a dark side to Christmas as Herod kills the infant children in the region of Bethlehem. But the cost of Christmas we tend to think of is money. Instead, I propose that the "cost" (if we even want to call it that, though it would be considered a cost to unbelievers) of Christmas is rejoicing exceedingly with great joy whenever someone sees the path to Christ, falling down and worshiping Him and nothing else, and giving our treasures to Him. All of these are gifts we give to God. God wants us for Christmas.

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Labels: herod, joy, money, offering, Sunday worship

Luke 2:8-20 shows us that a miracle on your street can transform you to not fear the judgment of God, to glorify and praise God, make peace with one another, and treasure up the word of God and ponder His word in your hearts. Thanks be to God. Merry Christmas.

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Labels: Christmas, final judgment, peace, words

Isaiah 7:10-17 and Luke 2:1-7 are the inspiration for these thoughts entitled "Do Not Disturb." In the former, Ahaz wickedly says that God has a Do Not Disturb policy. In the latter, we see that the Bethlehem Inn had no vacancy. This is part of a larger pattern of Christ's rejection by His people. People often declare to God "Do Not Disturb" there is "No Vacancy" through attempts to obstruct His plans, a failure to seek Him, and a failure to repent and lead others to repent. May God disturb us.

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Labels: Christmas, exodus, isaiah, luke, rejection of Christ, repentance, seeking God

Luke 1:39-56 is the inspiration for these reflections on the blessed Mary. She was a worthy wife for Joseph, made worthy by God through faith in His word. We do not elevate her to a status of divinity or even some sort of mediator role. But we call her blessed and imitate her faith. The idea of the worthy wife arises from the poem ending Proverbs and from Ruth 3:11. Mary, like Ruth and the Worthy Wife of Proverbs, is characterized by the fear of God (we call faith).

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Labels: faith, luke, mary, proverbs, ruth, wife

The account of the unborn children in Luke 1:26-45 was the starting point for this reflection on the coming of the Christ, the Son of God, who became man at His conception in the virgin Mary. The application of this truth is anything that promotes life and life everlasting.

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Labels: Christmas, pro-life, unborn child

Ephesians 6:10-24 tells us to put on the whole armor of God. Some of us may be parts of the leg, arm, etc. but we have the put on the armor together as one body of Christ. We are not just trying the armor on, like trying on snow boots or a Santa suit, to see how comfortable they feel but we are putting them on to stand against the schemes of the devil and to be able to stand when Jesus returns. Having this whole armor available, the power of prayer, and the encouragement of one another should motivate us to stand firm in the gospel of Jesus Christ.


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Labels: advent, armor of God, body of Christ