3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
When the Wise men came to Jerusalem and told Herod about the star and who they were in search of, why was he troubled? Why was Jerusalem in an uproar? I am sure there are many reasons but I wonder if part of it was jealousy? Herod did not want to share his kingdom with anyone. The people might have been upset because they did not want to upset status quo although they hated being ruled by Rome. I wonder if the city was upset because for centuries they had heard the prophecies and were supposedly looking for this Messiah that was to be born. The teachers of the law told them about this one to be born King of the Jews and yet He had come and they did not even know. For foreigners to come and tell them they were following His star must have been a slap in the face to the religious leaders. They were aware of all of the prophecies and yet they had missed what was so bright that people from other lands had seen it and known.
As I pondered these things it made me wonder how many of us today are missing Him as well. Maybe we are looking for a different kind of king like Herod was. We may be looking for someone who will swoop in and fix all of our problems when Jesus wants to mend our heart not all of the challenges we face. The king you are looking for may make life easier or better and make you wealthy or happy, but Jesus uses painful things and even times of famine to bring us into closer relationship with Him and to teach us about ourselves. You may be a Christ follower and have given your heart to Him, but have you ceased to look for His second coming? The signs are all around us. We too have an opportunity to watch and see because He will be coming again. When He does everyone will know but not everyone will be ready. Then it will be too late. The second time He comes He will judge the earth. Our challenge is to be ready and to help others be prepared as well.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Ephesians 5-6, Titus 1-3: Fear. We see it all around us these days. It is marketed by the media, it is pushed by men and women who choose to do evil, and it is what keeps humans bound. Evil comes from one source ultimately. Ephesians 6 tells us, 2 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” The root of all evil starts here, but it is manifest in so many ways. God’s remedy and His word to us is the same as it has been since before time began, “Fear not.” It was what the angels told the shepherds. Fear not because the good tiding was that a Savior had been born to them. He would save people from their sin. Then as forgiven children of God we are to trust in Him! (Believe) Taking on the knowledge of our salvation, living in the truth of God’s word, being faithful and knowing God’s faithfulness, choosing right living and sharing the good news of Christ. Praying would be our power cord to knowing and doing God’s will and over all of this to know Love that comes from One source. Perfect love indeed does cast out all fear. God is love and when His love radiates through us even the darkness must flee. What strong truths. What power! What a Holy, Wonderful Mighty God! Fear not!

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

Do you travel for Christmas? Many make long trips to be with family and friends during the Christmas holiday. When our children were small we would travel to Kentucky from our home in South Mississippi. I remember the build up to the trip as I would make sure we had clothes, presents, snacks, and things to entertain the children. It would take days to gather then several hours to pack everything in the car in just the right way to get it all in. I can’t imagine how it was for Mary as she and Joseph prepared and packed for their journey from Galilee to Bethlehem. Did she struggle because all they had was a small donkey to carry all of their earthly goods and her as well? Did she grow weary because she was great with child? I wonder if Joseph was anxious and worried for his new bride. Such a long journey for one so fragile. No matter what their thoughts, they knew they had to go. The walk/ride would have been long and rough. Yet God took care of them.
As you prepare for your journey this Christmas season whether short of long choose to be grateful. Remember how difficult it could be with much less storage space than you have. Be thankful for the car you travel in instead of a donkey’s back. Be thankful for your health and the health of those you will be traveling with. Look for God’s creation all around you and glorify Him. Search for Christmas lights and remind your family of Christ, The Light of the World. You may even want to sing a few Christmas Songs. I know it made our trips to see our family much happier in years gone by. Rejoice in the Lord and thank Him for all of your blessings!

18 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”

How would you have responded if you had been Joseph and the woman who you were pledged to marry told you she was pregnant even before you married her and been with her physically? The human response would be to break it off. To accept Mary would mean that people would assume incorrect things about both of them. They might assume Joseph had been inappropriate with his new bride or maybe they would assume that Mary was not a woman of good reputation having been with another man before she was wed. Joseph did not want to have to explain why the baby came so soon. He just wanted to put her away and not have to deal with the problem.
A dream changed everything. An angel came and explained how Mary had conceived this precious son and that He would be Immanuel, God with us. New questions must have abounded. How do you raise God’s Son? Will the accommodations Joseph could provide be enough? What will this mean for their lives? How will He save Israel from their sin?
God’s response was to send His messenger to say don’t be afraid. The angel gave him enough details for the moment and the assurance that God was in control.
I am sure Joseph was overwhelmed, but his response was simply to obey. What a great model for us. We don’t have to know all of the answers to our questions. We merely need to obey with what we do know. God has got the rest. We can rest in Him. Are you anxious about anything today? I challenge you to take God at His word when He says fear not, trust Him, and obey what you know to do. (Philippians 4:6-8)

51He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
What a special moment we are invited into as we read about Mary’s arrival at Elizabeth’s house. Elizabeth was with child carrying John, the one who was given to make the path clear for Jesus. Mary was carrying the Messiah. When Mary spoke John leaped in Elizabeth’s womb. The Spirit of God was on Elizabeth and she exclaimed 45 “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” What a great affirmation to Mary that she wasn’t just dreaming. It was true, she was carrying the Son of the Most High God. Mary’s response was a song of thanksgiving.
Mary declared God’s greatness. One of the things that stood out to me in her song was “51 he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.” Ponder that a minute… how often today are people caught up in their own thoughts. Their pride makes them think it is all about them. God wants us all to realize it is His story and we are a part of it not the other way around. He was here at the beginning and He will be here when it is all said and done. Humility is a huge key to Kingdom living. 52”he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate.”
One of the greatest challenges during the Christmas season is to let go of our expectations, entitlements and personal desires. We must learn to let go and seek God’s daily to do list. Learn to have a Mary mindset where she wanted God’s will above all else.

13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And \he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
There are so many things I could write about Elizabeth and Zechariah’s shock at having a son. Or we could focus on how God set John apart even from his conception, but what really got my attention was that John was a pivot that turned many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He helped turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. Israel had chosen a path far from what God desired for them. They walked in what seemed right in their own eyes. They were religious but without relationship to God. They talked a good game but their walk was far from it. Isn’t it interesting that the illustration was given that the hearts of the fathers would be turned toward the children? Could it be God wanted them to see the value in every life? He wanted the fathers to have a heart tendered to children not just occupation, money, or position. John also called the people to repentance from walking in disobedience to living in wisdom and doing things justly or rightly. He did not back down even from the religious leaders. His message was clear, repent and turn back! Most importantly, John made ready for the Lord the people. John taught them about walking right. Jesus completed the idea by being the payment for their sin. Only through the gift Jesus gave could the people be truly forgiven and restored. As was recorded later John came baptizing in water for repentance but Jesus baptized with the Spirit. It is not enough just to be sorry for what we have done, Jesus wants us to have a change of heart. He desires us to follow because of our thanksgiving for what He has done and to receive His gift of forgiveness. Our actions then change to where we are concerned for each life, we walk right with God, and we prepare the way by telling about Jesus. In the end many will turn to Christ as we walk in obedience.

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
If you are like me you probably skimmed that list of names. If you are like me, you also probably had a hard time pronouncing many of them. The most important thing about the names is that they represent real people. People who were in the family line Jesus. You would think that these men and women would be people who were righteous and followed after God with a whole heart. A few did, but most of them were just regular people who messed up and blew it more times than they got it right. Some were liars, murderers, thieves, sexually impure, others were arrogant and some even turned away from God. Yet GOD!!! In His love, He sent Jesus, born from a virgin human mother but Fathered by the Spirit of God. Jesus brought forgiveness and hope to a sin sick world. Only by offering a perfect Sacrifice could sin be paid for once for all. Jesus was that perfect sacrifice and we receive the gift of life eternal.
One more thought about names, Jesus knows our names too. He loves us and even now makes requests of His Father on our behalf. The world may never remember your name, but He always will. Rejoice today that He knows your name and loves you no matter what your past looks like!

Zechariah 9:9-10
9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
and the war horse from Jerusalem;
and the battle bow shall be cut off,
and he shall speak peace to the nations;
his rule shall be from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Peace on Earth, isn’t that what so many want this time of year. And yet seldom in my life has there been more conflict. Words like war, terror, radicalize, guns, bombs, hate and so many more are heard constantly on our moment by moment news cycle. We are stirred up on a constant basis toward fear. This is why we needed a Savior! This is why He came. Apart from Christ there is no peace. When the scripture talks about the chariots of Ephraim and the war horses of Jerusalem it is referring to power or at least perceived power and what we as humans run to. Yet our King, Jesus came meek and mild as a child, but He will return as a warrior King coming to take His children Home! Our King came the first time humble and riding on a donkey, but when He returns it will be riding in the saddle of a powerful war horse demolishing all evil! Glory! All things will be under His power and His authority! As we celebrate Jesus this Christmas may we not just celebrate Him as the star of the nativity but as the reigning King of Kings who will soon return to take His bride Home to be with Him. Then and only then will true peace come. Until then we are His messengers to share His peace and His light.

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

It is very tempting in our human mind to think of Jesus’ life beginning at His birth because that is when our lives begin, but Jesus’ life actually began long before then. With Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit there was no beginning and will be no ending. (Alpha and Omega) They have always been and always will be. That is hard for this human brain to comprehend, but it is important to grasp because if He has always been and was here even when everything was made through Him then He has authority over ALL! Wow! Mind blowing! Right? It is so important to nail this down because when darkness tries to tell you that Jesus can’t help you or save you, darkness is wrong. Light will Always overcome darkness! Jesus has all authority and He alone can save us. Though we celebrate Jesus as a baby born into our world, we really celebrate a Savior who from His birth was already Lord! That is why yielding to Him and His will is not a just a mandate, but also a joy! Merry Christmas.

Then a throne will be established in steadfast love,
and on it will sit in faithfulness
in the tent of David
one who judges and seeks justice
and is swift to do righteousness.
Knowing someone’s heart is so important in interpreting what they are doing or saying and why. Last evening someone sent me a private message telling me I might want to consider a more up to date hair style. Now this person is not a close friend and truthfully I haven’t even seen them in three years or more, but they had seen a picture on facebook. In my flesh, I was hurt and even went through lots of pictures of others thinking maybe I do need to change. This morning I was drying my hair and I thought “I like my hair. Why would I want to change to please someone else who doesn’t even know me on a daily basis and may or may not have my best interest at heart.” When I read Isaiah 16:5 today it dawned on me that the reason I want to please God and walk right with Him is because of His steadfast love that seeks what is right and just for me. Jesus came not for selfish motives, but because of a love so great my mind can’t conceive. I want to dress in a way that would please Him, act in ways that please Him, and even do my hair (lol) in a way that brings Him glory. I take His counsel because I know His heart is for me. My response to God’s great love through Jesus this Christmas is to trust His heart for my good in all things.  I pray we all evaluate our lives today to see who are we seeking to please.  If it is anyone other that Jesus, we need to make a few changes as a gift to Him this Christmas.