Apicontent

12 Days of Christmas: Day 1

This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to Christ, fourteen generations.
(Matthew 1:1, 17)

Seriously, is there anyone out there still awake? I mean, really, what could possibly be more exciting or invigorating than a good genealogy read? However, this isn’t just any genealogical presentation. It is the genealogy of our Lord and Savior’s earthly ancestors and the list is packed full of insight into God’s amazing grace.

Matthew was written by the tax-collector-turned-Jesus-follower, one of the original twelve Apostles. It is an eyewitness account of much of our Lord’s earthly ministry. Matthew writes his gospel primarily to a Jewish audience. It is fitting that he begins his writing by connecting Jesus back to the two great covenants of Jewish history—the Abrahamic (Genesis 12 and 15) and the Davidic (2 Samuel 7)—by including a detailed lineage of Christ. This genealogy shows that God is ever faithful to His promises and will make good every word He has spoken, though the performance of the fulfillment may be long deferred.

Anyone claiming to be the King of the Jews at that time would have been asked by their fellow Jews if he was indeed a descendant of King David. Matthew clearly gives a definitive “Yes!” to Jesus being rightly related to King David by detailing His lineage.

Interestingly, Matthew makes mention of five women in his genealogy of Jesus. He also includes some men of questionable character. The genealogy of Jesus demonstrates the gift of God’s grace: Tamar, an adulterous Canaanite; Rahab, a prostitute and a Canaanite as well; Ruth, a Moabite; Solomon’s mother Bathsheba, an adulteress; and Mary “of whom was born Jesus,” the “of whom” being a feminine relative pronoun indicating Jesus was the physical child of Mary, yet Joseph was not His physical father. I think it is extremely interesting that Matthew, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, mentions Uriah’s name in lieu of Bathsheba’s, as he had been her husband and the one that King David had killed in an effort to cover his own sin with her. I think it sweet of God to recognize Uriah in this significant place rather than Bathsheba, once again reminding us that Uriah was an honorable man.

We see God’s grace throughout the Bible, reaching back many generations through his covenant, and going forward through the sacrifice of his only Son.

Become More

“No sea is deeper than the ocean of His love. There is no army stronger than His hosts, no force greater than His throne of grace, no enemy who can overcome His direct and indirect work in our lives.” —Robert J. Morgan

“Grace is the grand and only resource for us all. It is the basis of our salvation; the basis of a life of practical godliness; and the basis of those imperishable hopes which animate us amid the trials and conflicts of this sin-stricken world. May we cherish a deeper sense of grace, and more ardent desire for glory!” —C. H. Mackintosh

“Delays of promised mercies, though they exercise our patience, do not weaken God’s promise.” —Matthew Henry

Read the Word

Matthew 1:1–17

^1:1 This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

^1:2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, ^1:3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah (by Tamar), Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, ^1:4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, ^1:5 Salmon the father of Boaz (by Rahab), Boaz the father of Obed (by Ruth), Obed the father of Jesse, ^1:6 and Jesse the father of David the king.

David was the father of Solomon (by the wife of Uriah), ^1:7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, ^1:8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah, ^1:9 Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, ^1:10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, ^1:11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

^1:12 After the deportation to Babylon, Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, ^1:13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, ^1:14 Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, ^1:15 Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, ^1:16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

^1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to Christ, fourteen generations.

12 Days of Christmas: Day 12

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.
(Luke 2:52)

Oh, the great economy of words in Scripture! Wouldn’t you like to know more about the childhood of Jesus than simply what this one verse tells us? Why on earth did God not tell us more? Unless, of course, this was sufficient? Scripture tells us that we are to walk as Jesus did:

The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked.
(1 John 2:6)

Since God does everything perfectly, maybe we should examine this verse a bit deeper.

At first blush, these words appear to let us know that Jesus grew up. While it is perfectly normal and predictable for a child to grow physically, it is neither human nature nor predictable for a child to grow in wisdom and favor with God and men! Jesus, being both totally God and totally man, possessed in his precious infant body the “fullness of the God-head” (Colossians 1:19). Just as his body was in the infant stage, so was His wisdom and favor. It was perfect for that stage. As He grew in stature, He also grew in wisdom and favor to perfection for each stage. While we will never reach perfection on this side of heaven, we are still called to pursue wisdom and favor. The Bible is filled with verses to this end:

By making your ear attentive to wisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding.
(Proverbs 2:2)

For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up effective counsel for unright, and is like a shield for those who life with integrity, to guard the paths of the righteous and to protect the way of his pious ones.
(Proverbs 2:6–8)

Blessed is the one who has found wisdom, the one who obtains understanding. For her benefit is more profitable than silver and her gain is better than gold. She is more precious than rubies; and none of the things you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful. She is a tree of life to those who grasp onto her; everyone who takes hold of her will be blessed.
(Proverbs 3:13–18)

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with all people.
(Romans 12:18)

We are told in Scripture that in Christ are “hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). As we grow up in Christ we grow up in wisdom and with this, we find favor with God and men. Have you ever noticed in Scripture how many years God takes in readying or growing up His vessels for use? Abraham waited twenty-five years for Isaac, the promised child of the covenant; Joseph spent thirteen years in preparation before becoming a leader in Egypt; Moses was forty years tending sheep for his father-in-law; David, Paul, and many more all waited for the “time to fully come.” Even Jesus prepared for thirty years for His three-year ministry. Just as building muscles takes time, growing in wisdom and holiness takes time.

Since we are commanded in Scripture to grow in wisdom and holiness, how do we go about making it happen? Here are a few suggestions:

• We must be in God’s Word daily. Even if it is just a verse, it is profitable.
• We must apply God’s truth to our life. What we learn by being in His word, we should apply. All the head knowledge in the world will not help us grow until it is actually fleshed out. We live what we believe to be true. And we grow or go backward, whichever the case may be, as we live our lives.
• We must hide God’s Word in our hearts. This keeps us from sinning, strengthens our prayer life, and allows us to live a life that glorifies Him.
• We must pray, pray, pray.

The promise of Scripture is this:

When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul. “I will make myself available to you,” says the Lord. “Then I will reverse your plight and will regather you from all the nations and all the places where I have exiled you,” says the Lord. “I will bring you back to the place from which I exiled you.”
(Jeremiah 29:13–14)

Become More

While we will never reach perfection on this side of heaven, we are still called to pursue wisdom and favor.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son.
(Colossians 1:19)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is not hard to carry.”
(Matthew 11:28–30)

Read the Word

Luke 2:41–52

^2:41 Now Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Feast of the Passover. ^2:42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. ^2:43 But when the feast was over, as they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, ^2:44 but (because they assumed that he was in their group of travelers) they went a day’s journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances. ^2:45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. ^2:46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ^2:47 And all who heard Jesus were astonished at his understanding and his answers. ^2:48 When his parents saw him, they were overwhelmed. His mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” ^2:49 But he replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” ^2:50 Yet his parents did not understand the remark he made to them. ^2:51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart.

^2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.

12 Days of Christmas: Day 11

After they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to look for the child to kill him.” Then he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt.
After Herod had died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt saying, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” So he got up and took the child and his mother and returned to the land of Israel.
(Matthew 2:13–14, 19–21)

It’s not too difficult to discern one of the reasons why Joseph was picked to be the earthly father of our Lord Jesus: obedience. In the second of his four dreams, Joseph was told to get up and flee to Egypt because Jesus’ life was in danger. Joseph was neither aware of the specific danger nor how to avert it, and yet God directs him in precisely what to do. God even supplied the means by way of the gifts of the Magi. Everything was covered.

The safest place to be is always in the center of God’s will. Nothing ever takes God by surprise. To Joseph’s credit, when the angel of the Lord speaks to him in dreams, we discover him moving and moving quickly. So often we rebel against obedience by ignoring, delaying, questioning, dismissing, or fleeing from God’s directives. Seriously, when are we going to learn that God always has our best interests at heart! His way is often not the easiest way, but it is always the best way. It really boils down to trust.

The journey for Joseph and his young family to Egypt would be both inconvenient and perilous, yet Joseph remained steadfast in the heavenly vision he had received. He made no objection nor did he dawdle, but immediately got up and set out during the night making quick work of obedience.

Bit by bit the story continues to unfold for Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus. Certainly, God, who makes known the end from the beginning, could have given Joseph all of His instructions at once. Yet, as He most often chooses to do, God makes His way known gradually—revealing His mind and way in increments. He does this in order for us to be reminded of His faithfulness in leading and also to teach us to continue to listen for His still small voice—waiting upon His instructions and trusting in His ways as best for our lives.

God always goes before us. Waiting upon His leading teaches us a myriad of things not the least of which is patience and obedience. It never comes easy to wait—it is far easier to take matters into our own hands and run ahead. But we get usually find ourselves in trouble when we pursue the devices of our own imaginations.

God sent Joseph and his young family into Egypt and then he brought them out. We can be sure there is always purpose in His plans. He is leading even when we cannot readily discern it. We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith because the paths in which He leads us all end in glory and immortality. It is true they may not be smooth paths—they may be covered with sharp flinty trials, but they lead to the “city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God”…All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant.

Become More

The safest place to be is always in the center of God’s will. Nothing ever takes God by surprise.

“God is God. Because He is God, He is worthy of my trust and obedience. I will find rest nowhere but in His holy will, a will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what He is up to.” —Elisabeth Elliot

“In our walk with God we are told explicitly by Christ Himself that it would be His Spirit who would be sent to guide us and to lead us into all truth (John 16:13). This same gracious Spirit takes the truth of God, the Word of God, and makes it plain to our hearts and minds and spiritual understanding. It is He who gently, tenderly, but persistently says to us, ‘This is the way—walk in it.’ And as we comply and cooperate with His gentle promptings a sense of safety, comfort and well-being envelops us.” —Phillip Keller

“Let’s put full trust in our Leader, since we know that, come prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, popularity or contempt, His purpose shall be worked out, and that purpose shall be pure, unmingled good to every heir of mercy…His dear love will make us far more blessed than those who sit at home and warm their hands at the world’s fire.” —Charles Spurgeon

Teach me how you want me to live, LORD; lead me along a level path because of those who wait to ambush me!
(Psalm 27:11)

But this I call to mind; therefore I have hope: the LORD’s loyal kindness never ceases; his compassions never end. They are fresh every morning; your faithfulness is abundant! “My portion is the LORD,” I have said to myself, so I will put my hope in him.
(Lamentations 3:21-24)

As for the Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. He is a reliable God who is never unjust, he is fair and upright.
(Deuteronomy 32:4)

Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the LORD’s favor in the land of the living? Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!
(Psalm 27:13-14)

Read the Word

Matthew 2:13–23

^2:13 After they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to look for the child to kill him.” ^2:14 Then he got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and went to Egypt. ^2:15 He stayed there until Herod died. In this way what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet was fulfilled: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”

^2:16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he became enraged. He sent men to kill all the children in Bethlehem and throughout the surrounding region from the age of two and under, according to the time he had learned from the wise men. ^2:17 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

^2:18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud wailing,
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she did not want to be comforted, because they were gone.”

^2:19 After Herod had died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt ^2:20 saying, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” ^2:21 So he got up and took the child and his mother and returned to the land of Israel. ^2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. After being warned in a dream, he went to the regions of Galilee. ^2:23 He came to a town called Nazareth and lived there. Then what had been spoken by the prophets was fulfilled, that Jesus would be called a Nazarene.

12 Days of Christmas: Day 9

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.
(Matthew 2:1–4)

No doubt we could go down some serious rabbit trails with these verses and get nowhere fast. It would be very easy to major on the minors and seek answers to such questions as: Exactly how many Magi came searching for the King of Kings; from what country did they actually come; how did they know the star they saw was “his star”; why were people so ignorant in Jerusalem regarding the “desire of all nations” coming into the world who was now already around two years old; why was His birth apparently so obscured and ignored by His own people who held the prophecy in their hands; and on and on the questions might go. Sometimes the economy of words in Scripture leaves us hanging with the three-year-old’s one-word question of “Why?” I am reminded of the words in Deuteronomy:

The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those that are revealed belong to us and our descendants forever, so that we might obey all the words of this law.
(Deuteronomy 29:29)

Rather than delve into the obscure and subjective, the truth I see blazingly confronting us in this passage is the importance and priority of worship. Indeed, these verses beg the question to us all: Do we willingly seek to worship our Lord as these wise Magi did?

The motivation for worship and praise of our Father in heaven is limitless indeed. We worship God for who He is, in the fullness of His Majesty. We praise God for all His many attributes: His holiness, His perfection, His loving kindness, His tender mercy, His compassion, His constant faithfulness, His gentleness, His omnipotent power, His omniscience, His creativity, His vastness. We worship Him for all He does; for all the blessings He bestows upon us.

While these motivations for worship are worthy and most acceptable, I believe the highest form of worship comes from the lips of those who choose to praise Him even when the circumstances we find ourselves in are not what we desire. It is when we receive a “No” to our leanings and wants in lieu of getting a “Yes.” It is a praise that flows from lips that choose to trust Him with everything that concerns. When we choose to do this, in my opinion, it is a proclamation of supreme faith. I am reminded of the words of the prophet Habakkuk:

When the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines; when the olive trees do not produce, and the fields yield no crops; when the sheep disappear from the pen, and there are no cattle in the stalls, I will rejoice because of the LORD; I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!
(Habakkuk 3:17-18)

We stand on the promise of Romans 8:28. All things are not innately good, but as believers we hold to the assurance of Scripture that all things will work for our good:

And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:28)

Become More

“Could you ask for a better promise? It is better that all things should work for my good than all things should be as I would wish to have them. All things might work for my pleasure and yet might all work my ruin. If all things do not always please me, they will always benefit me. This is the best promise of this life.” —Charles Spurgeon

“Reader, let’s put this question—do you worship the Lord with gladness? Let’s show to the people of the world, who think our religion to be slavery, that it is to us a delight and a joy! Let our gladness proclaim that we worship a good Master.” —Charles Spurgeon

Worship the Lord with joy!
Enter his presence with joyful singing!
(Psalm 100:2)

Read the Word

Matthew 2:1–12

^2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem ^2:2 saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” ^2:3 When King Herod heard this he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. ^2:4 After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. ^2:5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for it is written this way by the prophet:

^2:6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are in no way least among the rulers of Judah,
for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

^2:7 Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared. ^2:8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, inform me so that I can go and worship him as well.” ^2:9 After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. ^2:10 When they saw the star they shouted joyfully. ^2:11 As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ^2:12 After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back by another route to their own country.

12 Days of Christmas: Day 8

She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
(Luke 2:37)

Prayer seems to be one of the most difficult commands given in Scripture, and yet, it is one of the greatest gifts God has given to us. We, through the blood of Jesus, have access to God’s ear! But we often take it so lightly. We are too busy in our minds to pray. We are too busy in our hearts to pray. We are too busy in our bodies to pray. We are just too busy. Our behavior says that we believe that all of our activity is of greater importance than spending time with the Creator of the Universe who just happens to love us greatly! Something is wrong with this picture!

Here are just a few of the many promises God gives us in His Word relative to prayer:

The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.
(James 5:16)

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)

The LORD is near all who cry out to him, all who cry out to him sincerely. He satisfies the desire of his loyal followers; he hears their cry for help and delivers them.
(Psalm 145:18–19)

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6–7)

The Bible is filled with examples of prayer! Abraham was a prayer warrior, David was a prayer warrior, and Paul was a prayer warrior.

Even Jesus was a prayer warrior:

Then Jesus got up early in the morning when it was still very dark, departed, and went out to a deserted place, and there he spent time in prayer.
(Mark 1:35)

Jesus was always going off to pray. If it was important enough for him to do it, how much more important it is for us! His prayer life was so effective that His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray.

How do we make a practical application here? While I am no expert, I have found the following helpful in my own prayer life:

• Praise and glorify God for who He is—all-power, all-knowing, always with me, slow to anger, abounding in love.
• Praise and thank God for His goodness—He is pleased with our gratitude for all of His blessings.
• Seek to empty yourself of any bias so that you may sincerely ask for His will in all circumstances.
• Pray Scripture back to God. There are some wonderful prayers by Paul in Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians (as well as many other places in Scripture). You can actually insert people’s names and circumstances into the prayers.
• Persevere! I have been praying for some things for years. I continue to pray as long as something burdens my heart! God does not weary of my voice; I know He likes me to call on Him.
• Be totally open! You can share all that burdens you. God already knows your heart; he is simply waiting for you to talk to Him! God will never make you feel small or silly, his desire is to bestow on you unbelievable peace, joy, and contentment.

God loves you. The best part of prayer is that we are spending time with Him. A relationship is everything. I hope these prayer tips will encourage you to grow in your walk with God.

Become More

“In prayer, it is better to have heart without words, than words without heart. Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer. The spirit of prayer is more precious than treasures of gold and silver. Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.” —John Bunyan

Read the Word

Luke 2:36–38

^2:36 There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death. ^2:37 She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. ^2:38 At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

12 Days of Christmas: Day 7

Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.
(Luke 2:29–32)

Simeon, a righteous, upright, and devout man, speaks these words over Jesus. This occurs as Jesus is being presented to the Lord, consecrated, and set apart as the firstborn male according to the law. Jesus says later in Scripture to John the Baptist that He has come to “fulfill all righteousness.” This being the case, He fulfilled the law perfectly, which would have included being consecrated as a baby.

Simeon was waiting for the “consolation” of Israel and the “Holy Spirit was upon him” (verse 25). The word rendered “consolation” is an interesting word in Greek. It is paraklesis which means “the act of exhortation, encouragement and comfort” (New Testament Lexical Aids: Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible). Simeon was waiting for the encouragement and comfort of Israel!

Actually, all of Scripture is a paraklesis. Stay with me for a moment!

Jesus is called the Word in Scripture:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it.
Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory—the glory of the one and only.
(John 1:1–5, 14)

Do you want to know the paraklesis of Jesus? Know His Word. Jesus came to “flesh” out the Word—flawlessly. We have a unique privilege on this side of the cross to have every access to the very Word of God incarnate! We must not take this lightly!

Moved by the Spirit, when Mary and Joseph brought in the child Jesus, Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God! Can you even imagine what Mary and Joseph were thinking?

Simeon proclaims the Lord as his supreme authority and tells those present that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise God gave to him.God always keeps His promises!

God always keeps His promises! I am reminded of the verses in Joshua:

The Lord made them secure, in fulfillment of all he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could resist them. The Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of the Lord’s faithful promises to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everyone was realized.
(Joshua 21:44–45)

Simeon goes on to say that he can be dismissed in peace—a state of untroubled, undisturbed well-being. Yes, Simeon reckoned, all was well. He tells us that his eyes have seen God’s Salvation prepared for His people—all His people—which includes us!

Go back for a moment to the verses found in John 1. God gave the world a light in order to disclose and reveal His Salvation. The word used here for revelation is “a comprehensive word denoting not merely the thing shown and seen but the interpretation, the unveiling of the same” (New Testament Lexical Aids: Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible). Not only does God show us His truth, He interprets it for us as well! Christ is the glory of Israel.

Christ is the glory of Israel. Glory signifies for believers “the exalted status as the objects of divine approbation and blessedness. It is a state in which one is accorded the fullest enjoyment of the admiration and honor of God—the object of His highest regard and praise” (New Testament Lexical Aids–Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible).

Become More

You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed—not by perishable things like silver or gold, but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ.
(1 Peter 1:18–19)

“God is the God of promise. He keeps His word, even when that seems impossible.” —Colin Urquhart

Read the Word

Luke 2:25–35

^2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ^2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ^2:27 So Simeon, directed by the Spirit, came into the temple courts, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law, ^2:28 Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying,

^2:29 “Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace.
^2:30 For my eyes have seen your salvation
^2:31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:
^2:32 a light,
for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

^2:33 So the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. ^2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. ^2:35 Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed —and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!”

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.