John 20:11-18: But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.  And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.  They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”  Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).  Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”  Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

What makes the celebration of Christmas so sweet is not just the baby in a manger, but the knowledge that this same human who took on flesh was Lord even at His birth. Even before His first breath God had a plan that would include resurrection from the dead. He knew that Jesus’ purpose was to defeat sin and death! Glory to God! Praise to Jesus. Just as angels announced His birth, so the angels were present as Mary peered into the empty tomb. As they sat there they must have wanted to shout out “He did it! He is alive! Instead they remained silent and let the spot light shine on the star of the event. As Jesus spoke to Mary she realized who it was. I pray that your response and mine will be much like Mary wanting to cling to our Savior. I pray we will not ever want to let go of Him in total praise and adoration. But just as Mary had a job to do, so do we. Our job is to go and make Him known. As we have walked through this advent I pray that we have all seen the Lord. I hope through the scriptures He has been made known. Now we are to stir others up to see, know and follow Him. What a great task, but it all started with a handful of followers. He can and will use you and me if we will allow Him to! Thank you for making this advent journey with us. May the Lord richly bless you in the year ahead.

Luke 2:6-7 “And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

This little snippet of scripture is so calming in that it suggests they were doing alright. As with the arrival of any baby, Jesus came in his own timing. There was no cozy nursery and cute outfits awaiting him. There was only father, mother, and baby. Close your eyes and try to picture it. Mary just delivered the Savior of the world and after wrapping him up to lie him down, I image she tried to get some rest as well. The simplicity of the mental picture I get is so frighteningly beautiful. I’m in favor of the modern conveniences that have come along for labor and afterwards when you bring baby home. I wouldn’t eagerly sign up to deliver in a barn. That part scares me. As the same time, this picture still holds beauty because God provided what they needed exactly when they needed it.

Like the scene we find here, your life may lack the fluff and frills but don’t for a moment think God has held out on you. He has provided what is most important, the purification of your soul. Thank you, God, for Your son. You have provided and he is enough!

Matt 2:13-14:  “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt”

Unexpected interruptions! Don’t you just hate it when you have a plan and then unbeknownst to you God has a different plan. Mary and Joseph had finally settled into life with their small family when in the night an angel again interrupted Joseph’s dream and it set into motion a quick departure to Egypt. What followed must have broken Mary and Joseph’s heart as they heard reports of so many innocent lives taken because the king was looking for their child. In some ways it must have been comforting too to see how God had again taken care of them and provided a way of escape. Otherwise Jesus would have been one of the slain.

The lesson I take from this passage is to be sensitive to God’s leading. Joseph had learned to listen and respond to God’s leading. It is the same with us. If we listen to His guide we will move in step with Him and find ourselves protected and provided. We may still go through difficult things. I am sure the trip to Egypt was taxing especially for a young family, but it was lifesaving. Is God leading you to do something uncomfortable or even that doesn’t make sense? Listen to His voice and go where He sends.

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31  that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

When driving in an unfamiliar place I am constantly looking for landmarks to reassure myself that I am on the right road and heading in the right direction. I wonder if Mary and Joseph found themselves in similar situations. I am sure their visit to the temple was a special time already. Taking God’s Son to the house of God for the first time probably was a little scary. I wonder if they anticipated anyone or everyone recognizing God’s Son. I wonder if they pondered the possibility of religious leaders taking Him and making a big scene. Did they see Jesus more an an ordinary child with little to no fan fare. I can’t imagine the smile or look on their face when the old saint spoke his words of affirmation over the child. Were they breathless, encouraged, hopeful. Was this the landmark or sign that they were on the right track in raising the Savior.

I am grateful for godly men and women who have been in my life to speak truth over me. I think of people like Mrs. Turner my first grade teacher or Mrs. Mo Southerland who taught me the books of the bible and paid me in Lemon Heads (candy). I am so grateful for youth pastors and music ministers like brother Bob Waldrip who took us on summer mission trips and choir tours. Each person I am sure was just trying to survive another youth outing, but what they poured into me has affected the lives of thousands that my life has affected. I guess the real challenge for today is to be mindful of who is around you and in the Spirit as we come into each day listening for God’s voice in our own lives we will then encourage and uplift many along the way. Be a Simeon and speak life into those looking for the spiritual landmarks along the way.

6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

A year ago today I stood in the hall way as my daughter in law gave birth to our first and only grandson. She had experienced a placental tear that the doctors had watched for months sending her to bed rest a month and a half before. The entire pregnancy had had its challenges and we were at the end of an exhausting day of labor. I had been chasing our 1 year old grand daughter around all evening finally getting her to lay down at midnight while we waited for her brother’s arrival. My husband and I had watched as doctors and nurses had run in and out of the room pushing carts with equipment on them preparing for the imminent arrival. We had prayed so hard and had friends and family interceding that this precious boy would be born healthy and that his mom would withstand the birthing process. As we waited my anxiety grew because the baby seemed to be struggling to exit the birth canal. FINALLY there was a tiny voice screaming out his arrival! I wept with joy and total relief to know he was finally here and both mother and child were healthy. There was still a flurry of activity as doctors and nurses ran in and out of the room, but he was healthy and so was she.
I stood there thinking, wondering really, how did Joseph feel when he heard Jesus’ first cry? Did he weep too? Were there moments that Mary and Joseph questioned the health of mother and or child? Was the labor long and arduous? Was Mary scared without her mother there? Did the angels attend the birth even without human awareness? Did God smile? So many thoughts! So thankful that we do know that after His birth his mom swaddled him and laid Him in the only bed available. Oh God, thank you so much for a young woman of faith who lived out what she believed. And for an earthly father that trusted his Heavenly Father to provide and take care of his new family.  Thank you Father for Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer.