Luke 2:17-20: And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

How have you responded to Jesus? In our reading today we get to see how a handful of people responded. The shepherds made known what the angels had said about the Christ child. They went and told that a Savior had been born. The people who heard what they said wondered. That is a wonderful term, “wondered” used by many in the south especially to mean they thought about it and even made some of they thoughts known. They probably questioned, “Do we believe the shepherds? Did they really see this or were they just drunk again? Standing out in a field with a bunch of sheep could certainly make the mind imagine things. What if they are right?” All of these questions. The things we don’t see if that they shepherds could have told them, “You don’t believe me? Come and see for yourself.” Yet His identity was not made known far and wide, so chances are few believed. Mary believed though and she treasured up all she was seeing and experiencing and thought about it often. The song “Mary Did You Know” predicts some of her thoughts. If you haven’t listened to it in the last few days, take time to listen and allow your mind to ponder what she might have been thinking.
The greatest question today is what will you do as a result of what you have seen and heard? I pray you will be like the shepherds and glorify and praise God for all you have seen and heard. Make Him known to all you see over the next week.

John 3:16-17:   “For God so the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

The term love is used frequently these days. We love a new hair style. We love chocolate. We love that new adorable puppy or kitten. Even when used appropriately love can be viewed in different ways. I love you if… I love you because… I love you in spite… So many attachments to this word and expression. When God said He loved the world it was so much deeper than any surface “like”. It was a selfless, all in Love. It was and is a love without attachments like I love you if or because. God’s love for us as seen through Jesus was the deepest love known to man. This love is defined by the fact that gave His Son to die for us though we were filthy dirty sinners who were much like a helpless baby, we could not even come close to a relationship with our sinless Savior. God’s love didn’t and doesn’t condemn, but it brings life and light to our dark lives. If I put a one-word tag on Christmas it would be LOVE because God loved us enough to send His only begotten Son so that we might have eternal life. We can’t be good enough to earn it or do enough acts of kindness. It is a gift to an undeserving people. I am thankful that when He said whoever, my name was a part of that list and so is yours.

8But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
10And,
“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
and the heavens are the work of your hands;
11they will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment,
12like a robe you will roll them up,
like a garment they will be changed.
But you are the same,
and your years will have no end.”
13And to which of the angels has he ever said,
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

God wrote His own advent devotion today. He wants us to know that His Son is so much higher than the angels or any other created thing. Jesus reigns above all things created. Jesus loves righteousness and hates wickedness. Jesus laid the foundation of the heavens and earth. Let that sink in. All that the eye can see was created by Jesus! These created things, the heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus will remain forever!!!! I wish the save the earth crowd could understand that we are to worship the Creator not the created. The heavens and the earth will wear out like a garment, Jesus will roll it up, but our Savior will be the same forever! It is almost like God is saying Jesus will do the clean up and at the end of the party here the party in Heaven will just begin. Today Jesus sits at the right hand of His Father and all enemies are placed under his feet! Glory to God!

“9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
When I was a child my mom taught me a little song:
Little Baby in a Manger, I love you,
Coming down to Earth a stranger, I love you,
Wise men saw the star and answered I love you,
Little baby in a manger I love you.
The song was childlike, but the truth was evident, Jesus, a baby born of humble stature was unknown by the very world He helped to create. He was there when God created all things, yet he chose to step down out of heaven to live a human life. Hence The Word became flesh and dwelt among us! When it says we have seen His glory it reminds me that His glory is all around. The sky, stars, moon, nature, all growing things all shout that a divine creator made them. The wise men saw the star and the glory of God. We too can look all around us and see God’s glory from the cry of a newborn child to the strength of a thunderstorm. His power and glory are evident. The wise men’s response was to worship. Religious leaders of Jesus’ day missed the whole event because they did not know Him and were not looking. Their response was to reject Him and eventually to put Him on a cross. He did not stay dead! He rose on the third day and that is why we have the right to become children of God!!!! We too must decide what to do about Jesus. Do we choose to worship Him or reject. The answer has eternal consequences.

16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

Do you remember when you first heard about Jesus? How did you respond?
When the shepherds heard the message from the angels they quickly went to find the family the angels had told them about. They searched and found them but more importantly they found Him. I wonder what they thought. How could this child be the Christ? Could He really be the one all of the prophecies were written about? A baby? And yet there must have been something special about this family because the shepherds left believing what they had been told.

I was told of a little boy who was playing the Inn keeper in a children’s play. He had rehearsed his lines over and over preparing to tell Mary and Joseph there was no room in the Inn. The night of the play the rambunctious little boy was struck by the truth that Jesus’ parents were turned away and denied a place to sleep. When it was his turn to say his line confirming there was no room in the Inn he said it with gusto “There is no room in the Inn.” He followed it with “but you can have my room.” The teacher nearly fell out of her chair, but the heart of the child speaks for itself. When you understand who Jesus really is it changes you, and when the shepherds heard and saw they too were changed.

How about you? Has Jesus changed you?

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.