Joseph’s Lullaby

Luke 2:51-52 (ESV)

51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Go to sleep my Son

This manger for your bed

You have a long road before You

Rest Your little head

Can You feel the weight of Your glory?

Do You understand the price?

Or does the Father guard Your heart for now

So You can sleep tonight?

Go to sleep my Son

Go and chase Your dreams

This world can wait for one more moment

Go and sleep in peace

I believe the glory of Heaven

Is lying in my arms tonight

But Lord, I ask that He for just this moment

Simply be my child

Go to sleep my Son

Baby, close Your eyes

Soon enough You’ll save the day

But for now, dear Child of mine

Oh my Jesus, Sleep tight

Our home was always a place of celebrating and encouraging our sons because we knew that that day was coming when they would grow up and seek out their own vision and purpose in life, and the best thing that we can do for them was to show them God’s love as much as possible.

Joseph and Mary were Jesus’ parents. They raised him in the same way that any other Jewish boy in Ancient Palestine would have been raised at the time. They helped him learn how to speak, how to read, and guided him in his adherence to the Jewish religion, such as observing all the feasts and customs of the time.

Joseph and Mary knew all the concerns and difficulties of parenthood, and carried that joy and burden with them throughout their lives.

Although most of the Gospel accounts depicts the three years that Jesus spent publicly ministering, in reality he spent far more time in his thirty-three years of life in the company of his parents. Luke describes this largely unrecorded childhood and young adulthood in 2:51-53:

“Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.”

We can only speculate about how much Jesus was shaped by his parents. No doubt many of his perspectives and ideas were rooted in wisdom passed onto him by his parents, just as it is the same for any child. Joseph and Mary were divinely selected to raise God Incarnate, and we have to believe that one of the reasons they were picked is because of the unique love, devotion, and care that they would give him in his youth to fulfill his purpose and mission on this earth.

For those of you who are parents, or aspire to be parents, we can look to Mary and Joseph as role models. Their dedication and sacrifice for their child helped Jesus to grow up into the man he would become. If we want our children to make real, lasting impact on this world and contribute to the advancement of God’s kingdom, then we too have to take on the responsibility of raising them in the lens of God’s love and wisdom.

The best thing that we can do for our children is, like Mary and Joseph, to be followers of God, obedient to his direction, and willing to follow the mission of the Gospel in our own lives.

Dear Lord, I pray for each person who is responsible for the care and development of a child or youth, or stewarding the path of an adult who has since grown. There are many ways that we can foster the next generation, and it is humbling to know that You entrust us with their needs. We pray that You will strengthen all of us to follow Your will as the caretakers of your children, and overwhelmingly convince us that Your ways are best for us and our families. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

These Christmas Lights

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)

14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

All the lights, shining brightly

As the choir of, angels sing

Singing praise, now in the highest

At the birth of, Christ the King

Yes all the lights, are shining brightly

As the choir of, angels sing

Singing praise, now in the highest

At the birth of, Christ the King

Open my eyes; O heart believe

The wonder of, that Christmas night

Be born in me

I love the imagery of God as light.  And at Christmas there is a lot of light! We decorate our trees, rooms, houses with Christmas lights. When my son was just weeks old, he loved laying under the Christmas tree and swinging upward with his tiny arms at the Christmas lights. We are instinctively attracted to light! It helps us see and gives us an ability to navigate.

And that is what we desperately need, a way to navigate. We live in a dark world, a place that is operated in darkness with evil as its lord. However, since Jesus came, he showed us that he penetrates the darkest places and shines his light where darkness cannot hide.

There are many beautiful scriptures that you may drink in the depth of just what Christ’s light means. As you see Christmas lights while driving around, entering shopping places, or even your own home, remember just who it is that is being celebrated when we see those lights. For this is the King of kings, our Savior, the Messiah.

Dear Lord, thank You for bringing Your light to this world. Thank You for repelling darkness and showing the world what truth, goodness and love really is. Help us to bear Your light to the world, so your message is penetrated to all peoples. May we stay close to You all of our days.  In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Hark The Herald Angels Sing

Luke 2:13-14 (ESV)

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Hark the herald angels sing

“Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled”

Joyful, all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With the angelic host proclaim:

“Christ is born in Bethlehem”

Hark! The herald angels sing

“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ by highest heav’n adored

Christ the everlasting Lord!

Late in time behold Him come

Offspring of a Virgin’s womb

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see

Hail the incarnate Deity

Pleased as man with man to dwell

Jesus, our Emmanuel

 “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”. As I look at the song I can think of few other Christmas hymns that are so richly endowed with the fundamental theology of our faith, and I first of all encourage you to go back and read the lyrics to this song closely, if for no other reason than to marvel at the robust truth of its words.

The third verse of this song has always struck me as particularly moving, especially the lines, “Born that man no more may die / Born to raise the sons of earth / Born to give the second birth.”

There is such profound purpose in the birth of Jesus. Through the common, everyday action of a new life entering the world, the vision and mission of God’s redemption plan invaded the land of darkness and decay.

Jesus knew there was deep, spiritual purpose in birth. That’s why he used it as one of his primary metaphors to describe salvation. In his conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, Jesus debated with him on the meaning of a new birth by the Spirit. Jesus stated in v. 3:6-7, “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.”

And this is the purpose of Jesus life – to “give them second birth” as “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” describes.

In Jesus’ sinless birth, conceived of the Holy Spirit, he created the blueprint for the spiritual rebirth of all people. Just in the same way that Jesus was born into this world free of the shackles of sin, we too are invited to be reborn fresh, clean, and unchained.

Although we typically think about Easter as the culmination of Jesus’ gift of forgiveness, it is at Christmas where Jesus, even as newborn baby, began undoing the enslavement of darkness in our world, by creating a new model of life for us: to be born free.

Dear Lord, as we get closer to Christmas Day, we thank You for Your gift, and the salvation that You have brought to our lives. There is no hope apart from You that has brought hope for us to live a new life that begins now and extends into eternity. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Born Is The King (It’s Christmas)

Isaiah 9:6  (ESV)

 For 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.

Born unto us this day a Savior

Gifted from heaven to a manger

The hope of the world

A light for all mankind

All of the earth rejoice

It’s Christmas time

So lift up your voice and sing out His praise

It’s Christmas

Born is the King, rejoice in the day

It’s Christmas

Make a joyful sound

It’s Christmas

Let His praise resound

It’s Christmas

Goodwill to all the earth

And peace divine

All of the earth rejoice

It’s Christmas time

It’s Christmas time

Everyday of the Christmas season this year, we’ve tried to focus on the amazing things that Jesus has done through his birth and entrance into this world.

What can you do to look toward the light of Christ this Christmas season?

It might be stopping for prayer you might not have otherwise made time for. It might be making a phone call to a friend or relative who would be surprised to hear from you. You might throw together a quick gift for a neighbor who doesn’t know you very well. Or you might ask for forgiveness and look for reconciliation with a relative or visitor you’re spending the day with that needs addressed.

Christmas is special. It’s the day we celebrate Jesus entering our world. Just think of all the things that Jesus has done for you. And pass it on – act like Christ today.

What might you do to be more like the man we celebrate today?

Dear Lord, we pray that this Christmas be unlike any other – that Your light and goodness prevail and be seen in unexpected, never before experienced, ways. We pray that all the people in our lives will be touched by Your compassion, and be drawn to perhaps a little more than before, because of the enormous witness of your light in the world. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

1 Corinthians 1:28 (ESV)

God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are.

O little town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in Thee tonight

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” paints the picture of a sleepy, unassuming town that serves as the setting for the unprecedented act of God entering the world as a human being. There were no doubt many people living in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth who had no realization that a young woman was having a baby that night, or if they had known, would have given much more than a second thought to the topic.

Although we look back on Christ’s birth as an indescribably important moment in all of known history, for the actual people living in Bethlehem at the time, most were probably completely unaware of what had taken place. Although this might seem odd to us, who have celebrated Christmas every year of our lives, the first Christmas was most likely a day just like any other for the vast majority of the people living in proximity to Christ’s birth.

And yet Bethlehem, “above thy deep and dreamless sleep” is very much the kind of setting where the Gospel takes place. Not with resounding ovation, but in quiet, simple, even normal actions.

Jesus spent much of his ministry searching for the perfect metaphor for his Kingdom. He often described it as being like seeds planted in the ground (Mark 4:30-34), a buried treasure, or a single, perfect pearl (Matthew 13:44-46).

These are common things, small things, hidden things, but are very valuable and important.

In the same way, that many people didn’t notice the birth of Jesus, the vast majority of our thoughts, prayer and actions made in the advancement of God’s Kingdom will be unnoticed. Few will see the gentle compassion we show to hurting friend, or the silent prayers offered about a distressed stranger we observe, or the encouragement we share with another struggling to make their own impact for good in this world.

That’s why Paul writes, in 1 Corinthians 1:28, “God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are.”

God could have heralded the entrance of his Son into this world with a band of horns and angelic figures witnessed by the entire globe. Instead, only a few shepherds were audience to the angel’s invitation.

The simplicity and humility of Christ’s birth is in and of itself an example of how God works in our world frequently – through the simple, mundane and normal – and yet what makes those things extraordinary is the presence of God with us.

God with us makes everything infinitely important and divinely blessed.

I pray that you might take a look at the small, even seemingly boring, places where God is working and moving. Do you recognize his movement around you? Are you open to the passing of God’s hand among you, even while many others may not notice?

Where is it that God is working in your life? Stop and reflect on the often missed movements of God. Ask God to bring forth how He has been quietly working in your life. Ask God for better eyes to see his unbelievable movement in your life and the world.

Dear Lord, thank You for always working in this world, even though we often do not realize it. You are so good to us. Help us to recognize You more, hear You clearer and see You better. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

For Unto Us A Child Is Born

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

For 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.

For unto us a Child is born

A Son is given

A Son is given

For unto us a Child is born

A Son is given

A Son is given

The Messiah

Oh to see Him

To see Him high and lifted up

Shining in the light of Your glory

Pour out Your power and love

As we sing Holy Holy Holy

For unto us a Child is born

A Son is given

A Son is given

The Christmas season is all about looking to the coming Messiah through the perspective of remembering Jesus’ first entry into our world as a human being. However, we always have the Spirit with us because Jesus the babe was born and came to save us.

I love the line from the “The Messiah oh to see him.” I believe this is the quest of every follower of Jesus, is to see him. However, to have eyes to see Christ, we must tune our whole lives to that desire.

Often times, we think if we simply attend Sunday services, find a small group, or have morning prayer that we are completely living a life seeking Jesus. And yes, those are great places for finding God in one’s life, but they are not entire picture, especially when they simply become routine. A life seeking Christ is a life of discipline and intentionality – both of which are very good things.

When we want to have eyes to see Jesus, we also must tune our hearts to do so and allow God to rid of us distractions. Distractions come in the form of stress, fear, unrighteous anger, bitterness, harshness, obsession. These are human responses to life and cloud our eyes to seeing Jesus clearly. Only God can remove these unhealthy emotions and by turning to him is the way he cleans your lenses.

Challenge your self  today to take on another form of seeing Christ in your life. You can begin by adding one more element to your life of discipleship. Maybe it’s committing to listening to Christian music on each commute to and from work. You might add a quiet time routine to your day. Perhaps it is connecting with another Christian periodically for the purpose of growing in your walk. You might want to add some different prayer practices to your routine, or volunteer regularly at a local charity or your church.

Dear Lord, help us to only have eyes to see You. Help us find ways to connect with You throughout our day, because Lord we desperately need You. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Do You Hear What I Hear

Luke 11:28 (ESV)

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Said the night wind to the little lamb

Do you see what I see

Way up in the sky little lamb

Do you see what I see

A star, a star

Dancing tonight

With a tail as big as a kite

With a tail as big as a kite

Can you see that hope has come when you look inside this baby’s eyes

Emmanuel, Emmanuel

God is with us

Said the king to the people everywhere

Listen to what I say

Pray for peace people everywhere

Listen to what I say

The child, the child

Sleeping in the night

He will bring us goodness and light

He will bring us goodness and light

When you look to Jesus, do you see hope? You do? Great! But…hope in what? Take moment to pause, even write down all the things you have hope in through Jesus.

What did you come up with? Hopefully a big list, because there is so much to hope for in Jesus! Because without Jesus there isn’t much hope.

Jesus is our game changer, he literally changes our life, our after-life, our reality. Often times we tend to think only on one side of the hope in Jesus and that usually is the hope for eternal life in paradise with Him. But that is one part of the picture, an important part, but only one part.

Yes one day there will be no more suffering, no more pain, no more death and we will live perfectly with our God, as we see depicted in Revelation 21. There is great hope in this future reality, but what about now?

Of course there is hope in Jesus right now, hope for a better life filled with the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). A hope to walk with God everyday through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. All of us who follow Christ are given this reality, but this reality takes much determination and discipline, for it does not come naturally. This is a skill that needs work because as the world around us is hostile toward the Light and Truth of God.

When we choose to listen to the way the world operates, we are not walking with God, not having hope in Jesus, but rather listening to and following ourselves.

The world operates out of chaos and discord. When we respond with worrying, stress, malice, annoyance, sharpness, harden-hearts, we have lost our sight, we have lost our Lord-even if momentarily.

See what Jesus did when he came to this world; he brought a new way of life. Not one filled with harshness, anger or stress, but one filled with Him. This new way of life is living in the Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of God, which Jesus established right here on Earth. Is it perfect or complete, no not yet, but it has commenced. And as a follower of Jesus, you have a choice to have hope in Jesus or hope in the way the world operates.

As we continue to prepare for Christmas, let us turn back to the lyrics of this song to close:

“Can you see that hope has come when you look inside this baby’s eyes?

Emmanuel, Emmanuel

God is with us”

Yes, God is with us. God is with you and there is much hope in that!

Dear Lord, give us eyes only for You. Help us not to run to broken ways to live, but to live through Your strength, purpose and love. When things look bleak, help us to remember that when You entered the world, it too looked very bleak. However, You changed everything and there is much hope through You. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.