God Moved In And Laid In a Manger

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men . . . the Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory . . . and she wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (John 1:1–4; John 1:14: Luke 2:7) 

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus, born to young, poor, peasant parents who could provide for him only an animal-feeding trough for a bed. Births do not get much more humble than that. Yet in the midst of this meekness, angles descend from heaven to announce the baby’s birth, proclaiming him King and Savior, the cause of great joy to all humankind. This humble and helpless baby, dependent upon his parents for life itself was the author of life itself, the creator who spoke all of creation into being. God himself chose to put on flesh and blood, not as a costume to be put on, but as humanity to be lived, fully human and fully God. He not only chose to become as we are, but to do so not as a one privileged or elite, but as a member of the outcast and marginalized. He didn’t have to do any of it. But, he chose to. He chose to do it so that we can know God, know life, know hope, know peace, know joy and know love. He chose to do it because he loves us – he loves you. As you enjoy Christmas, take a moment and reflect on this reality. God knows you – everything about you – and madly loves you. The baby in the manger – Christmas – came about because of God’s deep love for you. Find yourself in the Christmas story. Merry Christmas Peace, hope, love and joy Doug P.S. A number of people have asked for a link to the video I showed on Sunday. You can view it here.

Don't worry, be . . .

There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8–11

The angel announced “good news of great joy,” Jesus. Throughout the Bible we read about joy – often in situations where people were in the midst of difficult circumstances, circumstances where they clearly were not happy. In the Old Testament we see the people of God waiting for the joy that would come with the arrival of the Savior. In the New Testament, we see a people living with the joy of that Savior, while at the same time, still waiting for things to be set right, still waiting for the perfect joy and for happiness.

As you read this, you may be in a season of happiness and joy, where joy is clearly visible, where joy overflows. That is a grace, be thankful. For others of you, it is harder. You definitely are not happy and although you know there is joy in you somewhere, only those closest to you can see it – it is a tough season. There is not a right or a wrong way to be. The answer is not to put on an outward mask, but to be sustained by the joy that though many may not see, you know is there. The prophet Nehemiah writes, “The joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) I pray that you may be strengthened in his joy, and strengthened by people who are close to you, for you and not expecting you to act happy.

You see, happiness and joy are not the same; happiness is transient, joy is transcendent. Happiness is dependent on circumstances; joy is built up within us and sustains us in all circumstances. On this side of the Kingdom of God, happiness and joy do not always co-exist. When God's Kingdom is fully realized, happiness and joy will both be present, always.

Peace. Hope. Joy. Love

Doug

The Prince of Peace

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 KJVS

You might have heard the John Lennon song where he says, “All we are saying, is give peace a chance.” Even if you were not around when the song came out, you probably have heard it. What does it mean to give peace a chance? What does it mean to have peace? What is peace?

So often we think of peace as the absence of something – war, conflict, noise, strife, difficulty. While each of those things clearly affect our sense of peace, I don’t think the absence of them is peace. You see, peace is not primarily an absence of something. Rather, it is fundamentally the presence of something; something so deep that even in the midst of conflict, noise, strife and difficulty you know it is there. This peace, true peace, allows us to move into and through the challenges to it without our hearts and our minds being overwhelmed. This peace, true peace, is not natural – it is supernatural.

The Bible tells us exactly this. The apostle Paul, who had every right to not be at peace, wrote about this true peace. He wrote, “The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:5–7).

Two phrases stand out to me first of.1) “do not be anxious about anything.” 2) “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding.” The two phrases lead to two questions: 1) Is it possible to not be anxious about anything? 2) How can you have peace that cannot be understood?

Does the passage raise other questions for you?

For me, the answer to both of those questions is found in last three words “in Christ Jesus.” I believe that as I connect regularly into who I am in Jesus, I learn who he is and I learn who I am. As we connect with him, we learn to hear his voice and to experience his deep love for us. As you connect regularly, habitually, with Jesus (through set aside times in his word, in silence, in intentional walks where you look for and recognize his presence etc.) you will find yourself more and more without anxiety over things you cannot control, you will find yourself at peace over things that that are only within his control. You will have a peace that defies explanation outside of the supernatural; you will have the presence of Christ, the Price of Peace, within and flowing through you.

Peace, hope and love

Doug