Apicontent

12 Days of Christmas: Day 6, Christmas

So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said. But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean. So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.
(Luke 2:16–20)

The shepherds had just received an angelic visit and hurried to confirm and see what their ears had heard!

God came to the lowly. The Good News extended first to the down and out shepherds, the lowest of the Jews. I love that about God. He turns all of man’s thinking upside down. I am sure that if you had asked the Jews of that day who would be the first to hear this great proclamation about the birth of the Savior, the answer would not have been “shepherds”…“religious leaders in Jersalem” would have been the response most given!

In verse 17, the word translated “seen” is the Greek word eido meaning “to perceive with the outward senses, particularly with physical sight, to perceive with the mind, to understand” (The Complete Word Study New Testament). Isn’t that great? God tells them. God shows them. What a confirmation and, as a result, what a transformation! It reminds me of Job. After all his struggles he says to the Lord:

I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
(Job 42:1)

When one hears and understands such Good News, one acts! That’s exactly what the shepherds did! They made known, they declared, they revealed the word given to them! They were the first messengers to proclaim the arrival of the Messiah. And all who heard were amazed and filled with wonder! Scripture tells us that Mary kept all these things carefully in her heart—protected, safe, and close. I am sure she replayed the message from the angels to the shepherds over and over in her mind.

“Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
(Luke 2:10–12)

When the shepherds return to their sheep, they sing to God for all they have heard and seen.

What God says, that He will most assuredly do. He never changes.

Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.
(James 1:16–17)

Become More

We should not expect God to use the methods of this world to convey His messages. He tells us, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). We have no idea as to who or what He will use to go about fulfilling His plan. What we can know is that He has a plan and it is good!

“I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need.” —Spurgeon

Read the Word

Luke 2:1–14

^2:1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. ^2:2 This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ^2:3 Everyone went to his own town to be registered. ^2:4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. ^2:5 He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child. ^2:6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ^2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

^2:8 Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. ^2:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. ^2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: ^2:11 Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. ^2:12 This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” ^2:13 Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

^2:14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”

12 Days of Christmas: Day 5

And Mary said,
“My soul exalts the Lord,
and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior,
because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant.
For from now on all generations will call me blessed,
because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
(Luke 1:46–49)

These verses were sung to the Lord by Mary in response to Elizabeth’s proclamation to her and affirmation of her. Overwhelmed with gratitude for her Savior, Mary glorifies and rejoices in God. We should all take note of her actions! God loves an appreciative heart from His servants.

Moses had one:

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord. They said,
“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously,
the horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.
This is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
(Exodus 15:1–2)

Out of a thankful heart, praise naturally flows. David had one:

The Lord is alive!
My Protector is praiseworthy!
The God who delivers me is exalted as king!
The one true God completely vindicates me;
he makes nations submit to me.
He delivers me from my enemies;
you snatch me away from those who attack me;
you rescue me from violent men.
So I will give you thanks, O Lord, before the nations!
I will sing praises to you.
(2 Samuel 22:47–50)

Nehemiah had one:

Then I said, “Please, O LORD God of heaven, great and awesome God, who keeps his loving covenant with those who love him and obey his commandments, may your ear be attentive and your eyes be open to hear the prayer of your servant that I am praying to you today throughout both day and night on behalf of your servants the Israelites.”
(Nehemiah 1:5–6a)

And we can find many more examples throughout all of the Scripture!

With her affections, emotions, and passions Mary glorifies God. She rejoices with exuberance. She is overcome with gratitude! Out of a thankful heart, praise naturally flows. Are we thankful for “every good and perfect gift” that flows from above? For me, gratitude and praise flow easily when I perceive the outcome to be beneficial for me, but my praise and gratitude are woefully lacking when the benefit is not so obvious. Shame on me! If God is in control (which He is) and if God has my best interest at heart (which He does) should I not embrace with joy whatever He allows into my life, knowing that it is for my good? This is not just a mere thought—this is God’s command:

Present to God a thank offering!
Repay your vows to the Most High!
Whoever presents a thank offering honors me.
To whoever obeys my commands, I will reveal my power to deliver.
(Psalm 50:14, 23)

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name.
(Hebrews 13:15)

I used to wonder why God would call praise sacrificial. Why would it be a sacrifice to praise Him? Now I realize that it is a sacrifice for a broken heart to praise Him; that it takes a sacrifice for a downcast soul to rejoice. Praise flows from the heart no matter what the outcome. When we begin to praise God our spirits begin to lift, our focus begins to shift from ourselves who are powerless to Him who is all powerful.

Jesus’ job description in Isaiah tells us the following:

To strengthen those who mourn in Zion,
by giving them a turban, instead of ashes,
oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning,
a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
trees planted by the Lord to reveal his splendor.
(Isaiah 61:3)

A garment of praise—perhaps that means it is something we should clothe ourselves with every morning—regardless of our circumstances! Sometimes the praise is simply volitional—an act of our will—and that indeed can seem sacrificial. The twist comes, however, as soon as we begin to praise God. We find ourselves rising above our circumstances and not being overcome by them. Our focus is on Him!

Become More

Out of a thankful heart, praise naturally flows.

As soon as we begin to praise God, we find ourselves rising above our circumstances and not being overcome by them.

Praise the LORD, O my soul!
With all that is within me, praise his holy name!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
Do not forget all his kind deeds!
He is the one who forgives all your sins,
who heals all your diseases,
who delivers your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with his loyal love and compassion,
who satisfies your life with good things,
so your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.

Praise the LORD, all that he has made,
in all the regions of his kingdom!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
(Psalm 103:1-5, 22)

Read the Word

Luke 1:46–56

^1:46 And Mary said,
“My soul exalts the Lord,
^1:47 and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior,
^1:48 because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant.
For from now on all generations will call me blessed,
^1:49 because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name;
^1:50 from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him.
^1:51 He has demonstrated power with his arm; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance of their hearts.
^1:52 He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up those of lowly position;
^1:53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and has sent the rich away empty.
^1:54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy,
^1:55 as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

^1:56 So Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.

12 Days of Christmas: Day 4

And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.
(Luke 1:45)

After receiving the news that she would be with child and that He would be called the Son of the Most High, Mary hurries to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth, the angel had informed Mary, was also going to have a child! How very precious of God to give Mary “flesh and bones” to talk to! She must have been terrified over the angel’s announcement. Not only does God give her someone to talk with, but the angel states that Elizabeth is also expecting, adding, “for nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37, emphasis added).

I love what we read in Luke 1:39:

In those days Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country, to a town of Judah.
(Luke 1:39)

The words rendered “got ready” in the NIV are actually one word in Greek: anistemi, meaning “to stand again.” The news Mary had just received had certainly swept her off her feet! Have you ever been there? Received news that simply took you off your feet and left you flat? Me too! Mary gives us insight into “next steps.” She hurries off to validate the angel’s message by going to visit Elizabeth.

As soon as Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting, the baby within her womb leaps, and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit:

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with ”the Holy Spirit.
(Luke 1:41)

Then Elizabeth says these precious words through the anointing of the Holy Spirit:

She exclaimed with a loud voice, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb! And who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me? For the instant the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”
(Luke 1:42–44)

Now that’s validity! The proclamation must have taken Elizabeth’s breath away too! Elizabeth’s last line of her announcement is our verse for today:

And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.
(Luke 1:45)

The word rendered “blessed” is the Greek word makarios meaning “blessed, blissful.” According to The New Testament Lexical Aids: The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, “one is pronounced blessed when God is present and involved in his life. The hand of God is at work directing all his affairs for a divine purpose, and thus, in a sense, such a person lives coram Deo, before the face of God. Blessedness is sharing in the life of God, being favorably affected and influenced by God.” We would all do well to remember that we indeed abide coram Deo—before the face of God!

And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
(Hebrews 4:13)

The word rendered “believed” is the Greek word pisteuo, meaning “to have faith in, to trust in.” Often when the word “trust” is used in the Old Testament it is the Hebrew word batah which means “to attach oneself–to feel safe, confident and secure” (Old Testament Lexical Aids: The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible). I love that because it is such a great word picture! I can envision myself holding on tightly to Jesus! In all actuality, that is how He holds us!

Become More

The word rendered “accomplished” is the Greek word teleiosis, meaning “the act of completion, successful effort, or fulfillment; also the state or attainment of perfection.” I love that—what God says, that will He do—to perfection. Mary believed what the Lord had told her would be accomplished to perfection and she indeed was blessed! May we be found as faithful as Mary!

Read the Word

Luke 1:39–45

^1:39 In those days Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country, to a town of Judah, ^1:40 and entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. ^1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ^1:42 She exclaimed with a loud voice, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb! ^1:43 And who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me? ^1:44 For the instant the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ^1:45 And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

12 Days of Christmas: Day 3

“Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will name him Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.”
(Matthew 1:23)

We discover in these verses fulfilled prophecy. The Savior would be born of a virgin. God always fulfills His every word!

Jesus gives us a solemn declaration regarding this same principle later in Matthew in the Sermon on the Mount:

Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place.
(Matthew 5:17–18)

Since Matthew was writing primarily to a Jewish audience, the fulfillment of prophecy is consistently brought to the forefront. In the second chapter alone, we discover no less than four occurrences of prophecy being fulfilled through the life of Jesus. Matthew was ever pointing his audience to the fact that Jesus was indeed their long-awaited Messiah!

In our verses today, Matthew cites the prophecy from the pen of Isaiah—almost word for word:

For this reason the LORD himself will give you a confirming sign. Look, this young woman is about to conceive and will give birth to a son. You, young woman, will name him Immanuel.
(Isaiah 7:14)

The Savior of the world did not come from an empress or a queen. He did not appear with outward pomp or splendor. Rather, leaving His glory behind, He arrived in the womb of a poor young virgin, a reflection of spiritual purity. The highest and holiest entered this world through the most humble of doors. The name “Immanuel” assures the people of God’s continued presence. To be sure, He is a “with us” God! Isn’t that wonderful news?

The writer of Hebrews affirms this:

Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can people do to me?”
(Hebrews 13:5–6)

God’s encouraging word through the Prophet Isaiah comes to mind:

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you—yes, I help you—yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand!
(Isaiah 41:10)

We see the faithfulness of Joseph as he is obedient to God’s commands. He did not let his earthly concerns distract him from the eternal matter of obedience to the will of God. There was no delay in his actions. God himself was Joseph’s strength and God’s presence was Joseph’s comfort and consolation. We will always discover the sufficiency of our Lord Jesus when we follow His way and rely upon His strength and wisdom. With Him, nothing lacks value—even though at first blush, as in the case of Joseph, it seems difficult, confusing, and terrifying. God’s ways are not the ways of man.

Christ left His glory in heaven and entered the earth through humble doors and he lived out His earthly life in perfect obedience to the Father. He was despised and rejected, and yet, in the end, He was exalted:

As a result God highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow
—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—
and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord
to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:9–11)

Become More

The highest and holiest entered this world through the most humble of doors.

“Tarry not for a convenient time. The movings of the Spirit are never convenient to the interests of the flesh, and I shall engineer your circumstances to conform to My plan and My will. You will glorify Me; for My plan for you excels all other ways, and in the center of My will is a perpetual fountain of glory. Do not doubt or hesitate, for I the Lord your God go before you. You already have My promise that the work I begin I am able to carry through to completion. Yes, there is already laid up an exceeding weight of glory for those who go through with Me and determine to seize the prize. For I have wealth beyond your fondest dreams to bestow upon those who have left all to follow Me. All the glittering enticements of this transient life are as chaff in comparison, for God’s gifts and calling never waver, and My giving is restricted only by the will and choice of the recipient.” —Frances J. Roberts

“By the light of nature, we see God as a God above us; by the light of the law, we see him as a God against us; but by the light of the gospel, we see him as Immanuel, God with us, in our own nature, and in our interest. In this consists the salvation he brought about, in the bringing of God and man together; this was what he intended, to bring God to be with us, which is our great happiness, and to bring us to be with God, which is our great duty.” —Matthew Henry

Read the Word

Matthew 1:18–25

^1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ^1:19 Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately. ^1:20 When he had contemplated this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ^1:21 She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” ^1:22 This all happened so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: ^1:23 “Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will name him Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.” ^1:24 When Joseph awoke from sleep he did what the angel of the Lord told him. He took his wife, ^1:25 but did not have marital relations with her until she gave birth to a son, whom he named Jesus.

12 Days of Christmas: Day 2

She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
(Matthew 1:21)

The highly favored Mary and the righteous Joseph were chosen by God to be the earthly parents of Jesus. Amazing! Mary and Joseph were both faithful to the word of God in that they both believed God’s announcements to them. God spoke to Mary through an angelic visit and to Joseph through an angelic dream. Oh, that we too would be found faithful to believe the Word of God!

We find in Luke the account of Mary’s visitation and her immediate response. Keep in mind, she was a very young girl, making her actions all the more impressive:

Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God.
“And look, your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant with a son in her old age—although she was called barren, she is now in her sixth month! For nothing will be impossible with God.” So Mary said, “Yes, I am a servant of the Lord; let this happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
(Luke 1:34–38)

Both Mary and Joseph were blessed because they believed that what the Lord told them would be accomplished, though certainly, they could not have possibly understood the fullness of the mystery of Christ’s incarnation.

Just as you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones form in the womb of a pregnant woman, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
(Ecclesiastes 11:5)

Mary had been pledged to Joseph, betrothed for a waiting period of a year to demonstrate faithfulness and the pledge of purity. It was a binding contractual agreement arranged for individuals by their parents. It was only after the waiting period of a year that the couple consummated their marriage physically and would begin living together as husband and wife.

The marriage would be annulled if the bride were to be found with a child. In such cases, the woman would be subject to public scandal and presented to the judges at the city gate. Such an act could have resulted in death by stoning. Joseph’s genuine love for Mary is demonstrated by the fact that he decided to divorce her quietly and without scandal. He did not want to expose her. He was inclined to be merciful. And although Mary knew the chances were great that she would be dealt with as a prostitute, she chose to entrust herself to the One who judges justly. She kept her mind calm by committing her cause to her heavenly Father.

As Joseph ponders his next steps, God lovingly intervenes and directs His servant on precisely what to do. It is the thoughtful, not the impulsive, whom God will clearly guide. God’s instruction often comes when we are confused and at a standstill, not knowing what to do next. As we earnestly seek Him, He promises to faithfully show us the way.

Call on me in prayer and I will answer you. I will show you great and mysterious things which you still do not know about.
(Jeremiah 33:3)

Become More

Both Mary and Joseph were blessed because they believed what the Lord told them would be accomplished, though certainly, they could not have possibly understood the fullness of the mystery of Christ’s incarnation.

God desires that we trust Him. We are not to kick against His best for our lives, but fully embrace the path he has laid out for us. Even when we cannot fully understand His plan, He always has our best interests in mind.

It is the thoughtful, not the impulsive, whom God will clearly guide.

God’s instruction often comes when we are confused and at a standstill, not knowing what to do next.

“Man needs, above all else, salvation.” —Norman Goodacre

Read the Word

Matthew 1:18–21

^1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ^1:19 Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately. ^1:20 When he had contemplated this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ^1:21 She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Luke 1:26-35

^1:26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, ^1:27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. ^1:28 The angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one, the Lord is with you!” ^1:29 But she was greatly troubled by his words and began to wonder about the meaning of this greeting. ^1:30 So the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God! ^1:31 Listen: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ^1:32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. ^1:33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.” ^1:34 Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?” ^1:35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God.

^1:36 “And look, your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant with a son in her old age—although she was called barren, she is now in her sixth month! ^1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” ^1:38 So Mary said, “Yes, I am a servant of the Lord; let this happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.