This painting wouldn’t be considered beautiful by most, but looking at it closely, I can see myself in that tree. Each second of life is quickly ticking away. The weight of brokenness and age are taking their toll. Aging is like that. We feel shattered at times and under the weight of sin, but by God’s grace, we will be renewed again. That’s the most beautiful hope we have for our future. Thank you, Jesus, for another year.
A life filled with twists and turns, obstacles and bumps in the road,
Coming to an end in an instant,
That which once was full of zeal and new growth,
Covered with bruises and bumps of existence,
For years, travailing through time,
Reaching for the stars at night,
Resting in the shade of its own shadow,
Raising its limbs to God in prayer,
Resisting the tests laid out before it,
Rooted in the solid ground it grew from,
Resilient, ripe, restored, renewed, revived,
All because of its Creator,,
When our days ebb and flow through channels of discovery and learning,
When we feel attacked or cut down,
When the sting of death lays at our door,
We come to Him,
Scarred, torn, shattered, twisted, abused and lost,
But through Him we are,
Restored,
Renewed,
Reborn,
Redeemed,
No more will the blemishes of sin invade our souls,
A lifetime of memories, a brain filled with stuff,
I wonder if all of these things were enough,
In years of contentment or days of despair,
Not one of these memories could heartbreak repair.
Oh, the many lost days would never return,
Escaped like the hot breath of leaves as they burn,
Caught by a cold whirlwind and tossed all about,
They shall not return here, when they are let out.
The minutes become hours, the days turn to years,
Our life passes by us, our joy turns to fears,
Oh, where did the time go and what can we show,
Those life changing memories are cast down below.
Our days they are numbered, we don’t know just when,
When we take our last breath, will we live again,
Heaven’s gates open wide, we’re asked to come in,
Welcome, faithful servant, new life will begin.
There really is no point in looking back on a year past, other than to learn from the mistakes we’ve made, to figure out how to fix them and to look forward to another chance to start over. As we come to the close of 2023, I could go on and on about all the challenges we faced, but nothing is going to change what’s been and done. God has blessed us through difficult times. We’ve discovered true friends. We’ve learned to trust His plan for our lives and give Him the reins. He knows what’s best for us anyway. Each year we grow in wisdom. We face new difficulties. We struggle with old ones. We start a litany of new memories and pray that God would continue to use us for His glory in the year to come. May He bless your next page on the calendar of life. May He watch over you and guide you. May He grant you peace. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I’m not sure that the song, “Auld Lang Syne,” by Robert Burns ever made the Hit Parade, but I do know that Robbie Burns didn’t actually compose the lyrics. It’s right there on Wikipedia and of course the Internet knows everything, right? Actually, Burns attached a note to his publisher stating that this was not his writing, but instead the words of an old Scottish folk song which he copied as an elderly man sang them. So, what’s the big deal about this song? Every December 31st, when the clock strikes twelve, we raise our glasses and chant these words. I remember this tradition from my youngest days, but never understood what they were talking about. We don’t sing it much at our house anymore, because we usually don’t stay up that late.
Born on January 25, 1759, Burns lived to the ripe old age of 37. He became the National Poet of Scotland. His experience watching his father try to reap his fortune through farming and eventually dying with nothing, was fodder for the way Robert looked at life. He was sarcastic about the social order of his time and his writing often reflected it. He took over as a tenant farmer after his father’s death. His writings would discuss the religious leaders of the day, the class situation and the inability of the working class to advance. During his life, he had several romantic encounters, producing a set of twins and another child born out of wedlock. Eventually he married the mother of his twin children. He transposed many old folk tales and songs into poetry and music. Auld Lang Syne is one of them.
Now that I know the history of the man and the origin of the song, I still don’t understand why we sing it every year on New Year’s Eve. The words are difficult as they are written with a Scottish flair. The updated English is a little better, but I’m including only the first verse and chorus so you will know what to sing tomorrow night. The title actually means, “old long since” which probably translates into the good old days.
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and good old times?
[Chorus:]
For old times since, my dear, for good old times,
we’ll drink a cup of kindness yet, for good old times.
I guess my translation of the song might go something like this:
The folks we’ve met and learned to love will never pass away,
We watch them grow and live full lives but soon will come the day,
When time will capture youth and age and evermore will know,
That life goes on as we persist through winds and rain and snow.
Friends old and new will never die, they live on in our soul,
We’ll treasure memories of their love and strive to set a goal,
To pass this way another day and trust in God’s control.
SHADOWS OF THE PAST – ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER
It was at the height of its opulence, this city from of old, It commanded respect and attention, its streets were paved with gold, It shone like the brilliant sun in the sky, reflecting its bright rays, Within the dark shadows, secrets survived, infecting light of days.
The brilliance soon disappeared from all sight, as darkness slithered in, No one realized what was happening, knew nothing of this sin, The ominous shadows penetrated the brilliance of the day, Corruption and greed encapsulated and sent the good away.
That once shining and glorious city, no longer casts its light, What remains are shards of days long ago, decay, great loss and blight, If only the fire had been overseen, by those within her gate, Perhaps a flame would rise from the embers, and new life would create.
We should learn from our own sweet history, but we often fail the test, We think that we have the perfect answers, we think that we know best, Instead of trusting our almighty God, we struggle, and we fall, Still patience abides in His gracious love, His love is meant for all.
The clock in my kitchen doesn’t change when daylight savings time occurs. It’s too high for me to safely reach it. Our grandfather clock is always set for 9:00, because the inner workings are packed away somewhere and it’s too much of a chore to find them. Time on other clocks in our house are reachable. We have access to the correct time on our computers and phones. There’s an app for everything these days. One thing we haven’t been able to manipulate is time. It comes and goes like “clockwork.” Nights turn into days, days into weeks, weeks into months and so on. We come to the end of a year with hopes of making the next year better, but those hopes are soon dashed and life steps in instead. Just like the hands of time, life marches on. History repeats itself. Illness steps in. Political issues rage. Raising a family comes with a whole new set of issues. Death will come to each of us. Problems will occur. Relationships will fail or flourish.
The only way change can occur for the best, is to trust in the One who created time. The first day and night were made possible by God. That first second involved time and eternity. His time has already been mapped out for us and only He knows what the outcome will be. Times change yes. God changes everything through His precious Son, Jesus.
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND GOODBYE 2023 – FROM THE BOECHERS!
As we come to the end of another year, it’s natural to look back at the past and think about all the ugliness that happened during that time. It’s time for a fresh start – a second chance or a do-over. In doing so, we often see the negative things that happened in the past. We focus on things we promised to change in the coming new year. We think about our declining health. We think about all the failed resolutions we made last year. We look at our world and wonder where all of the wars and descension will lead. We think about the state of our own country – the investigations of those in power – the slander – the morality taking a nose-dive. Why, why, why? We see the signs of decay within our own bodies as skin begins to age and memory fails. We see all kinds of these signs of death in the future. The end of the year is a time for us to take stock and see what we can do to make things better.
All the difficulties we faced in 2023 are not going to stop just because we’re changing a page on the calendar. Frankly, life goes on. Death will eventually come to all of us. We can’t change a thing without help of some kind. Since we are still healing from a terrible pandemic which took many lives, we’ve become more cautious about our gatherings. We continue to wear a mask from time to time. Our emotions can get in the way of improvement or moving on. We feel safer living in the cocoon we’ve built around ourselves. Like any kind of decay, it is a slow-moving process, that requires attention.
We can look at the past and continue to wonder why. We can dwell on past mistakes or words said that can’t be retrieved. We could fall down a rabbit hole of doubt, anxiety, fear or depression, but that only leads to a place of deep confusion. Instead, if we begin with God as our guide, we can expect a great outcome. He never changes. He may seem not to hear us, but His plan is always perfect and for our good. As we look forward to 2024, let’s remember that life is going to go on – with all its challenges, fears, illnesses, decisions, growth and development. Disease will continue. Death is imminent. God is the same today as He always has been and ever will be. When we ask Him to abide with us, we can be sure that His plan is far greater than ours. He will not leave us. He will never change. His perfect love is our eternal life insurance policy. We can count on that.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away. Change and decay in all around I see. O thou who changest not, abide with me.
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes. Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies. Heaven’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Verses 2 & 5 of “Abide with Me,” from Lutheran Hymnary
Being hungry and thirsty are ways of telling us we need nourishment and refreshment. The only way to satiate that hunger and thirst is to immerse ourselves in God’s Word and His amazing plan for our lives. Through them we will be satisfied and at One with our God.
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
All the festivities has slowed to a snail’s pace. The stockings have been emptied and the presents are being used. All that remains of the Christmas feast is a refrigerator filled with leftovers and Christmas cookies galore. So, we hunker down with those cookies and face the rest of winter with eyes slightly filled with tears, joy, some sadness and a whole bucket list of dreams for next Christmas. This is the final chapter of the journey – or is it? In the end, we will all face death. It’s that one thing we can’t escape. Terms like, “the last hurrah,” “the final journey,” “kicking the bucket,” all come to mind as we look ahead to our final days. We don’t like to talk about it much, but we will all meet that so-called grim reaper someday.
Is this what Christmas means to us? In Scrooge’s journey, we see a beleaguered, stingy, old man finally facing the reality of Christmas. He discovers the joy of knowing that he has a second chance – a chance for redemption. When we take our last inhalation and succumb to death’s boney grip it might send shivers up and down our spine. When we think about death, it can mean tears, wondering what lies ahead, what we’re leaving behind and the tug of heartstrings as loved ones mourn their loss. We cling tightly to life, because it’s all we know right now. The thought of a perfect world seems nothing more than a dream.
The chance for redemption is still available to every living soul. Our souls were purchased at a great price. God’s plans don’t always make sense to us in the here and now, but we will see His plan fulfilled when we meet Him in paradise. A little baby. A virgin birth. A life of poverty. What seemed a senseless, torturous death, would result in the salvation of the entire world. None of it made sense, but God had a plan. Just like He continues to guide us through this veil of tears. Heaven is waiting. Death has no sting. Christmas has a gift for each one of us. A Savior was born and continues to live. He has paid the price that only He was capable of doing.
Isaiah 9:6-7 ESVFor to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
May that wonderful gift of eternal life give you pause to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. God loves us so much that He paid the ultimate price to win us back.
What is happening in our world today? We certainly don’t see much evidence of peace with wars raging in Ukraine and Israel. We don’t see peace in our own country as we’re still a divided nation in so many ways. Disputes erupt on our city streets and roads. Tempers flare and another war occurs. Peace should be our focus at this special time of year, but most of us are not feeling peaceful. There is chaos all around us. Our individual lives are a patchwork of stress, anxiety and depression. Disease continues to ravage many, including children and the elderly. Death still happens, even though we’re guaranteed eternal life. We’re called upon to enjoy the peace of Christmas, but where exactly is that peace?
Jesus did not come into the world to fix all the problems it faces every day. He came to return the peace that was originally established by God, the Father, when he created the world. Man was responsible for the chasm that grew bigger and bigger with time. Man was responsible – not God.
So, as we search unswervingly for peace, the only place we’ll find it is in an animal feeding trough some 2000 years ago, when Jesus took on human flesh and God became one of us. He would be the advocate, the perfect sacrifice, the lamb without blemish, the necessary ransom that would redeem the entire world and bring peace back between man and God. This little child would calm the seas of trouble. He would bring life to the lifeless. Heal the sick, bring people back to life and teach the truth of God, His Father. Because of that perfect baby, we’ve been made perfect and have a direct connection with God, which brings us peace.
PRINCE OF PEACE – By Kathy Boecher
Live in my heart forever, Lord. Give light to a darkened world.
Bestow on us your gift of love, through Jesus, Christ our Lord.
A peace that lasts forever. A light that always shines.
He will forsake us never. His hands are open wide.
Prepare us for salvation through Your own precious Son,
And grant us peace – a lasting peace – for each and everyone.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Out of the depths of my transgression, my heart screams for relief. I grumble – I complain – I even blame God for my shortcomings. How dare I challenge the Creator of heaven and earth? Who do I think I am that I can question the One who molded me in my mother’s body? I am but a worm – an insignificant gnat who persists and bothers. In my distress a quiet voice reaches my ears. It tells me not to be afraid. The voice is comforting and for a moment I let myself be soothed by its gentle caress. Again, I stumble. My feet cannot follow all the regulations for my life. My hands feel useless. My heart is empty. I lose hope. Again, He whispers, “Do not be afraid.” It is like the spinning of a revolving door – in and out of belief – around and around, Spinning, falling, helplessly, hopelessly. From the darkest part of my existence He comes to me again – “Do not be afraid” – He lifts me and carries me to safety. He is the Light of the world – I am not afraid – I rest in the strong arms of my Savior. Jesus!
Christmas today has become an amalgamation of travel plans, waiting in airports or taking to the road. We buy, wrap and hope the response will be positive. We cook wonderful meals; special desserts and all the preparation of the Advent Season leads to the big day. Christmas Eve is overflowing with beautiful music. Trumpets, harps, organs and voices praising the birth of our Savior touches our hearts. It’s finally here. Now what?
According to the results of a new poll by the American Psychological Association, 89% of Americans admit to being depressed during this time of the year. It can be caused by anxiety over stretching the budget beyond its limit. It can happen because of loneliness as a result of the loss of a loved one or simply missing being together with extended family. It can be triggered by memories of Christmases past or the nostalgia of childhood gatherings. It can rear its ugly head when we stress about family getting along at this time of year. Many suicides also occur during this time of the year. Remember to call 988 or 911 if you are experiencing such thoughts.
Imagine the first Christmas. An egotistical tyrant of a king had ordered all people to return to the place of their birth to be counted. A young couple from Nazareth would make the trip to Bethlehem, which was about a three-day journey over treacherous terrain. The man would walk. The nine-month pregnant woman, sat upon a donkey as it bounced over the unpaved road. When they reached their destination, they would be turned away from the inn, which was overflowing with others coming for the same reason. The woman knew it was time for the child to be born and they sought shelter in what may have been a holding place for newborn lambs. The Son of God was born that night. Angels filled the sky to announce His birth to shepherds in the field. The long-promised Messiah was placed in a feeding trough for the animals. This scene would be replayed for years after. That very first Christmas was the beginning of humanity’s second chance.
God always keeps His promises. They aren’t always what we expect. They may be wrapped in strips of cloth, rather than fancy gift wrapping, but the value supersedes anything we can possibly afford to buy. Our gracious God has provided for our salvation, even though we don’t deserve it. That’s what Christmas is really all about. As we think about what we may have waited for during this time of anticipation, it’s more than worth the wait.
Final exams are done. It’s time for a well-deserved Christmas break for students and teachers. The excitement for the big day is growing. People scurry about looking for the perfect Christmas gifts and carols are filling churches across the country. Christmas is one of the most important holidays in our country. We get days off of school, even the mailman gets a day off. There’s a feeling of connection to one another that isn’t often there during the rest of the year. It’s a time to gather as families – to share love with others – donate to various charities – to do random acts of kindness. All of these things are important, but are we missing the real reason for our celebratory feelings? Are we doing all these things to make us feel good or worthy of God’s grace?
The beauty of Christmas is not in what we can do or the cost of our gifts. It’s not even our concern for the plight of others. The greatest gift given to mankind, came wrapped in strips of cloth, as an ordinary baby, without sin, perfect in every way, true man and true God all rolled into one. That little child is the One who took on the devil and crushed him. Jesus is our most precious treasure. We certainly didn’t do one thing to deserve His love, but He gave it without question. There is no other God like Him. He offered Himself as a living sacrifice to pay the price for our forgiveness.
As we look forward to Christmas with anticipation this week, let’s not forget the perfect gift that came directly from the Creator of the Universe. He is coming back soon for the final judgment. Get ready. It won’t be long now. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
In these days leading up to Christmas, there are many out there suffering greatly with depression. All the hub-bub of the holidays can often add to that. The world is so focused on not offending others, that we might think that our lives have no real value. The confusion we are faced with today has to be disconcerting to all of us. Where do we fit in? Are we important? Do we matter?
If you feel alone – if you’ve lost your job – if you don’t know where your next meal will come from – if you have gone over your credit limit – face a serious illness – suffer from addiction – feel unworthy to feel joy – have suffered the loss of a loved one – you are not alone. The world is full of suffering people. OK, that may not make you feel better, but maybe this will.
No matter where you are in your journey – you have value – you are not alone – you have riches beyond compare – your pain and suffering are only temporary – there is work for you to do – you have the best gift ever this Christmas. This gift comes wrapped in rags. You will find it lying in an animal feeding trough in Bethlehem. It is a gift directly from the Creator of the world. It is a treasure unimaginable – precious beyond belief – given with inconceivable love at no cost to you. The trees we lay below the Christmas tree may give some joy for a little while, but the gift of a Savior lasts forever. He will never leave you. He gives your life purpose and usefulness. He has chosen you to dwell with Him in heaven. He didn’t seem to matter when He came into this world. He was poor. He was nothing special to look at. He spent His time serving others. He never sinned, even though He was tempted. He was laughed at, bullied at times, listened to at other times. He was a teacher, a healer, a miracle worker and yet He was humiliated, tortured and sent to die on a cross – for all of us.
Do we matter? Jesus thinks we do. He took on the sin of the world, so that those who believe His truth would inherit His kingdom. He loved us so much that He died for us.
The beauty of a freshly cut Christmas tree has been a tradition for many years. During the Victorian Era, candles were woven into the branches to be lit on Christmas Eve. Families would dance around the decorated arbor, singing festive songs. There were times we’d cut our own – an experience only intended for the young. The three children would be bundled to the point of being unable to move. Their dad would carry the youngest in a papoose on his back. We’d trudge deep into the tree farm in search of the most beautiful, perfect tree. By the time my artist husband determined which tree met his criteria, his beard was filled with icicles. The rest of us were anxious to get home to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate topped with ice cream. Today, our tree is a Charlie Brown branch with one ornament. Just the right size for two aging octogenarians.
The Christmas tree may be window dressing to some, but if you look at it from a spiritual perspective, there’s more to it. It all started in a garden with two trees. A tree was used to craft a manger which would hold the Savior of the world. His life would end, hanging from the cross beams made from a tree. He rose again so that we would gain eternal life in paradise. The green of the evergreen symbolizes that new life. The red trimmings signify the blood that was shed for us. The lights are reflections symbolic of Jesus’s followers and the star on top represents the Light of the World – Jesus.
May the Light of the World fill your hearts with peace, love and the promise of eternal life.
“The Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens seems to resonate from generation to generation. It is filled with ghosts, memories, poverty, illness, ignorance and want. Dickens was speaking from experience as he wrote this story of a stingy old man named Ebenezer Scrooge. It is a lifetime journey of a bitter fellow who doesn’t know the meaning of kindness. We’ve all met someone like Scrooge. He or she might be that boss that we recall who travels on a posh vacation while his employees’ hours are cut. It could be someone who has just suffered a loss of someone special in their life and has become bitter because of it. Maybe it’s a pair of homeless children, running from an abusive situation to escape any further abuse. Another example is someone who is far away from family and angry because a face-to-face conversation can only be accomplished through technology. The reasons for a not-so-merry Christmas are many.
All of us have reasons to be angry, bitter, cheap, depressed or anxious about Christmas. A year goes by, and we’re expected to be all jolly and generous. We spend more than we should, we max out the credit cards and the best gift becomes a competition of sorts. Charles Dickens grew up in a time like this. There were the rich and the poor – much like today. The rich celebrated lavishly with special food and laughter. It was a merry time for them. Many of the children of the day lived in poverty, were exposed to disease and early death. Education wasn’t an option for these little ones. They had to go to work, beg for food or go without.
This week we’ll be trimming Christmas trees, shopping for the last-minute gifts, singing carols of joy and praise. We’ll stress out because something isn’t right. The perfect Christmas we see in pictures on Pinterest, bomb royally in our own homes. The only perfect Christmas took place a couple thousand years ago as one of those poverty-stricken families made their way across rugged terrain to register for the census. A child would be born. He would be the hope of all nations, the Prince of Peace, the Son of God. The true joy of Christmas comes in the first birthday of Jesus. He alone was born to save us all.
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.” ― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
It was an amazing night of wonder and miracles. The little shepherd boy hugged the little lamb in his arms as he looked at the tiny baby in a manger. How could it be? This newborn infant was hailed as King by the angels out in the fields earlier. The brilliant star, which lit up the heavens, led them to the stable to witness the truth of their message. A child was born, but not just an ordinary child.
The shepherd boy nestled his fingers through the tightly woven coat of the lamb. His arms cradled the little animal close to his breast. He could feel its rapid heartbeat as he gently caressed the baby sheep. This young shepherd would be responsible for the lamb. He would make sure that there would be green pastures for it to graze upon. He would provide protection for the lamb against predators and foolish mistakes that it might make along the way. He loved his little lamb and would do anything for it.
As they left the stable, the young shepherd approached his older brother and said, “How could that little baby be the long-awaited Messiah?”
“Didn’t you see the star? Weren’t you witness to the angels in the sky? Of course, this must be the King we’ve been waiting for,” said the older shepherd.
“But he’s just a baby and aren’t kings supposed to be born in palaces with servants surrounding them? Didn’t you see? His bed was nothing but a feeding trough.”
His brother led him back to the hills and told him to wait there. He and the other shepherds had a job to do. They went to Bethlehem to tell the people what they had witnessed. Stars were twinkling above. The rustling of the sheep soon settled down and only a stray bleat could be heard. The boy looked up into the heavens. He remembered the stories that would be told around the campfire almost every night of his life. The story about King David, being the runt of his family – the last-born child, who was no more than a boy himself came to mind. When the new King of Israel was to be anointed, he would come from the line of Jesse. The least of the brothers would become the greatest. When faced with certain death, David would confront the giant, Goliath and defeat him with a slingshot and one stone. God provided the strength which instantly killed David’s opponent. He would rule as a great commander and chief. He was a warrior king. Maybe that’s what the young shepherd thought the Messiah would be.
As he stroked the head of the little lamb it became apparent that the baby in the manger was a descendent of King David. He looked at the little lamb in his arms. He knew it had only one purpose and would someday be sacrificed in the temple. The sacrifice had to be unblemished – perfect in every way. He cried softly as he thought about the fate of his pet but knew that it was the only way. It was then that he grasped the truth of the infant, Jesus. The babe in the manger was the unblemished sacrifice which had come to earth by miraculous means, to rescue all mankind. He would be the Savior of the world and truly the only King ever to be worshiped as God and man.
This week is all about Christmas. It’s a time of gifts and love – special decorations – beautiful light displays – shopping for the perfect gift – sharing – dreams. Children are dreaming of a special gift they’re hoping for. Teens dream about the ultimate technology gift. Adults are dreaming of large credit card bills and overspending. Senior citizens are dreaming of heaven and anxiously awaiting it. Dreams seem to be connected to this holiday. I guess you could consider the time itself to be loaded with dreams and heavenly things. Visions of sugar plums doesn’t mean much to society today. The focus seems to be on the tangible – like a new Tesla with a bow on it. The Ghost of Christmas Present, who made his appearance in Scrooge’s second dreamy visit, created all kinds of images of charity, love, peace on earth and the state of man’s existence. These are things we think about at Christmas, but they also deserve our attention every day.
Do you ever feel that you aren’t included in the forgiven category? The whole idea of God laying down His life for us might seem ridiculous. What kind of God do we have, who demands only that we believe and live our lives for Him? Who loves with unconditional love – no strings attached – no expectation of a pay back – perfect, sacrificial love? This time of celebration should be filled with extreme gratitude. It isn’t about what we give to others, what we do for charity. It isn’t about the value of our gifts. It’s all about the Son of God coming to earth to live with us. He experienced life as we know it, yet He never sinned. He was the perfect, unblemished lamb who took the sin of mankind to the cross and buried it there. It was the only way for our salvation to be won. God made a promise. He kept it. He lives with us still, through His Word and the Holy Spirit. When we come to Him, we know He is available for all our needs and dreams. Even the bad ones.
May the peace of this amazing week, live with us each and every day. We have been blessed by God, Our sins have been forgiven. Our future is guaranteed, because of this Savior we call Jesus. He lives with us still and we can get immediate access to HIm through our prayers and His Holy Scripture.
The third Sunday of Advent brings the lighting of the Joy candle. What does joy mean to you. When I hear the word, Joy, I’m reminded of my youngest daughter whose name is Joy. She was a December baby. We named her Joy Noel for this wonderful season of Jesus’ birth. I also think of the joy in my heart for every day of my life. I am so thankful for another day. Jesus has provided a new morning with my husband of almost 60 years. Joy can mean happiness, great news, wonderful happenings, special occasions and assorted other thoughts that make us feel good.
In keeping with God’s promise to give the world salvation through a Messiah, the fulfillment of that gift was sent to our world to deliver every single person from death and guilt. That’s good news that should make everyone happy – joyful – delighted – grateful – rejoicing – praising and thanking God – and fill our hearts with the greatest amount of optimism ever. The wait was long, but so worth it.
With Jesus life, death and resurrection, we are also assured of a life in eternity with Him. No more pain. No sorrow or death. Peace that transcends our understanding. We will meet Him face to face and bask in His light forever. When the Joy candle is lit, we can remember the wonderful gift we have received from our Living God.
HAPPY THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT – JOY CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN TO LIVE AMONG US!
The world in pain and trouble lay, temptation all around,
But in a lowly feeding trough. a Savior could be found,
Born of a virgin, meek and mild and God’s own precious Son,
He took on earthly flesh and blood, with Him we would be one.
A stable filled with animals, would be his nursery,
His death would be upon a tree, He died for you and me,
His humble life was troublesome, He had no place to rest,
Yet in his short eventful life He gave to us His best.
When we feel lost and in distress, our hearts can jump for joy,
Because the man named Jesus, Christ, was born a baby boy,
He lived a life of poverty, experienced our pain
He rose again from death’s strong grip eternal life to gain.
So as we gaze upon that bed, that mass of smelly hay,
We see the God/Man, Jesus, Christ, who for our sins did pay,
He should have been upon a throne, but chose to live as we,
He died to pay the ransom price, the cost to set us free.
Emmanuel means God with us, He lived up to His name,
He didn’t come to win success or monetary gain,
He came to give us paradise, a gift beyond compare,
So, when we die, He’ll welcome us, within those gates up there.
The manger in the stable where Jesus would lay his little head, was most likely a trough made of stone, where the animals would refresh themselves with water or food. It was drooled over and licked by those same animals. It wasn’t a clean, luxurious bed, fit for the King of Creation. Animal dung would also surround the manger. The stable itself was probably a holding place for lambs that would someday be used for sacrifice in the temple. Why would God choose this dirty, disgusting, simple and lowly place for His Son to be born? He could’ve come in glorious honor and majesty. With trumpets announcing His entrance into the cold, dark world. His angelic messengers could have gone to the leadership in Jerusalem to make way for the newborn King. He could’ve been wrapped in robes of purple to indicate His royalty.
Instead, God chose this lonesome, desolate, filthy place. Was it to be symbolic of His coming to be the final sacrificial lamb without blemish? Was it so that God’s Son could experience life at its lowest level? Was His life of poverty, His lonely existence, His living as the average man of the time significant? Instead of a grand celebration and expensive gifts, this little baby came virtually without pomp and circumstance. Just another new kid on the block. Yet He was so much more than that. All of the prophesies about His birth, His early years, His suffering and shame were recorded and fulfilled by His coming to the world to be one of us.
When crowds would gather to hear His words, to be healed and ministered to, it was God talking, healing and teaching. When the scholars of the time questioned Him, He always had a lesson for them to learn through what He said. The pitiful slaughter of this unblemished lamb was not the final act of this story. He resurrected Himself to life, defeated death and the devil. He promised a new heaven and new earth at His next coming. Imagine the glory when He comes again. Jesus will be God with us for eternity. Come quickly, Lord, Jesus.
This time of year brings all kinds of expectation and anticipation. As we age, our ability to be patient has just about worn out completely and sitting in a waiting room can be as tough as waiting for something exciting or some bad news. We resist waiting. We want everything right now or sooner. When it comes to our future, we plan, we look forward, we make lists of things to do to get there and we can’t wait until it comes. Soon enough it does come and we are either delighted, disappointed or at a loss.
When the time of Advent is celebrated, we are in a time of preparation. We’re waiting for our Savior’s birth. We look forward to the celebration – the story of salvation – the angels – the songs – all the characters of the Nativity of Jesus. We often get lost in the gift buying, the food preparation and all the hub bub of society to focus on other things, but this is a time to look forward with great anticipation. It’s also a time of looking back and realizing that our future has been won for us by the Messiah promised so many years ago.
Are you ready? Is your heart open to hearing this story again and again? It isn’t just a time to reflect, but a joyful look into the future. The story of Jesus’ birth shows us how much God loves His creation. So much so, that He gave the greatest gift ever – His own Son would become one of us – both human, but also God. His life should’ve been like that of a king, but He humbled Himself, took on human flesh, lived a life of poverty and humility, so that we could obtain a piece of heaven.
During this last week before the big day arrives, prepare your hearts and minds for the truth of your forgiveness and your salvation. Jesus is waiting for us. He knows His sheep and we are part of His flock. Never forget, that this gift has already been given to each one of us and it doesn’t require a repayment.
It seems we wait forever, for things we want right now,
It is our chief endeavor as through each day we plow.
Our hearts are disappointed when things don’t go our way,
but God’s own Son anointed, made sure our debt to pay.
When life has got us longing for all it has to give,
When every new day dawning, our dreams we want to live,
We turn our thoughts to Jesus and know that all is done.
He listens and He sees us, the victory has been won.
As I reach the end of my years, I find I have a lot of good information stored up in this old decrepit mind of mine. If I don't write it all down, it may vanish and no one will have the advantage of my thoughts. This is why this blog exists. I love the Lord, Jesus with all my heart and soul. I know I'm undeserving of all He's done for me, but I also know that His love is beyond my comprehension.
I've always wanted to write. I never kept diaries, but tucked my thoughts in my head for future reference. I use them now in creating stories, plays, poetry and my blog.
I continue to learn every day. I believe the compilation of our time spent with God will have huge affect on the way we live. I know I'm a sinner and I need a Savior. I have One through Jesus, Christ.
My book, "Stages - a memoir," is about the seven stages of life from the perspective of a woman. It addresses all the things girls and women go through in life as they travel it with Jesus, and it is available on Amazon.com.
