The Star Still Stops

Today brings us to the fourth and final week in our series of Advent celebrations. 

Each year at Christmas, I am gripped by the journey of the Wise Men. I have this insatiable longing to mine deep down to glean the wonder of their participation in The Story. I ask, “What am I missing? What can I learn? What is still here waiting to be discovered?" When I stop the noise of the holidays, the chaos of our world, the confusion of materialism, the concern for our future, I am left with a stunning sense that this is what Christmas is about. Please join me for their journey in Matthew 2.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise Men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-5, 7-11)

Yes, the Magi were relentless in their pursuit. They pushed and pressed. But when they arrived, they stopped! They did not keep searching. The star stopped, because the search was over.  

Two thousand years later, you and I battle the temptation to search the Internet, to text the tribe, to turn on the TV in pursuing meaning and purpose in life, in seeking genuine, authentic connectivity. We push and we press—toward prestigious promotions, secure retirement plans, full social calendars, platforms of influence, exotic holiday destinations, tech toys, and other mirages of material glee. We place unrealistic expectations on husbands, homes, children, and churches in our own longing for simple soul satisfaction. All to discover the ache surfaces again and again and again.

Now, in the context of Christmas, our Lord lovingly, gently guides us to consider His truth:

The star still stops…with Jesus.

In our push to please, in our pressure to perform: the star stops with Jesus.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28. (NIV)

In our search for security: the star stops with Jesus.

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” Hebrews 13:5. (NIV)

In our seeking significance: the star stops with Jesus.

“I am the vine and you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing” John 15:5. (NIV)

In our longing for intimacy: the star stops with Jesus.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love…” Jeremiah 31:3. (NIV)

With our need to matter somewhere to someone: the star stops with Jesus.

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me” Psalm 139:1. (NIV)

In our thirst for authenticity: the star stops with Jesus.

“I am the way, the truth and the life” John 14:6. (NIV)

With our yearning for success: the star stops with Jesus.

“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor in life” Proverbs 22:4. (NKJV)

In our desperate hope for the future: the star stops with Jesus.

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” John 14:27. (NKJV)

His name is Jesus, Jesus.

Sad hearts weep no more.

He has healed the broken hearted, Opened wide the prison doors,

He is able to deliver evermore. (Maranatha! Music)

In the Name of Jesus, may you and yours have a Merry, Blessed Star Stopping Christmas! 

Living with Eternal Intentionality™

1. Which highlight concerning the Wise Men do you want to influence your Christmas celebration?

2. What do the Wise Men teach us about worship?

3. Is there an ongoing push or pursuit or longing in your life that needs to stop in the Person of Jesus? If so, what is it?

By God's grace, I will meet you again in January of 2018. You have no idea how much I appreciate the time we share here together. Lovingly in Christ, Debby

A Divine Appointment: Devout Meets Deity

What can we learn from a man in Jerusalem called Simeon? Today brings us to week three in our series of Advent celebrations. I invite you to join me in considering a cameo tucked into the Book of Luke. Simeon, like Mary and the shepherds, also participated in God’s Bigger Story surrounding the life of our Newborn King.

Luke 2: 22-35.

When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord  (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord) and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:  

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." 

What can we learn from a man in Jerusalem called Simeon?  

What sets Simeon apart?

The Significance of his character: Indeed, he was righteous and devout. This man honored God, walked with God, waited on God, believed God, listened to God, knew the character of God, recognized the Son of God, and he praised God.

The Significance of the Holy Spirit in his life: Guided by the Spirit (HCSB), Simeon was where he was supposed to be at just the exact time to intersect with the new family for this most incredible Divine Appointment.

The Significance of his actions: Simeon knew this was no ordinary Baby. No indeed. Upon seeing the Baby, he took Him into his arms: devout meets Deity! (Picturing the tenderness overwhelms my grandmother's heart.)

Holding The Child, this man’s joy erupted in praise and thanksgiving to God, the One who had told him to wait for this Divine Appointment.

After praying and talking aloud to God, Simeon directed his thoughts to the husband and wife standing before him. In this poignant moment, he blessed them! Perhaps he spoke the rich words from Numbers 6:24-25. We do not know; we are not told.

Yet, put yourself in the place of Mary and Joseph, a young couple caught up in caring for God’s Only Son during these embryonic days of His life on earth. Imagine how this elderly man's blessing would have brought encouragement to your hearts.

Did the Divine Appointment conclude with Simeon's blessing? No. He then moved to speak prophecy, a painful prophecy, customized just for Mary.

Then, Simeon’s Divine Appointment in the temple was over. But he had been waiting, and waiting and waiting; and he had been ready. Because he walked with God, listened to God, and was led by God, he met the Son of God—in a Divine Appointment.  

Living With Eternal Intentionality™

How is God working to build godly character into your life that you see in the life of Simeon?

Describe the difference in the story if Simeon had not listened to God—if he had been too busy, too distracted, or too absorbed in his own agenda.

When is the last time God led you into a Divine Appointment? What occurred as a result?

May I make a suggestion? Treat a friend to coffee this week, and share with each other the amazing work of the Holy Spirit in your lives.

Glory to God in the Ordinary

Today, week two in our series of Advent celebrations, we continue our worship with a focus on the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20.

The Shepherds: Glory to God in the Ordinary

And 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 for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Ordinary Shepherds

Growing up, I raised sheep, fed sheep, vaccinated sheep, and in competition, exhibited sheep—a large flock of sheep. Daily, I took care of their never-ending needs. Yet for these shepherds, herding sheep outside Bethlehem differed drastically from my modern day animal husbandry experience.

Their demanding vigil required living outdoors among their animals on barren hillsides. Did anything ever disrupt their ordinary lives or their ordinary duties? Seemingly, no. Yet, these ordinary shepherds, with an ordinary occupation, on an ordinary evening, became the first to hear an extraordinary announcement:The Birth Announcement of The Son of God.

Extraordinary Interruption

After 400 years of silence, an angel of the Lord broke the sound barrier. Without forewarning or introduction, a heavenly herald exploded on the serene pastoral scene.

Of course, the ordinary shepherds were terrified! But, the angel reassured them this was good news of great joy. There has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Suddenly, backup voices appeared on the stage. An entire host joined the angel of the Lord to praise God and pronounce peace. When the heavenly performance ended, the curtain closed and the ordinary shepherds found themselves alone with their sheep. But they did not sit still.

Extraordinary Response

They discussed, they decided, and they departed. With a sense of urgency that fairly pulsates from the Text, they went and they saw. Once the ordinary shepherds discovered for themselves that the announcement was true—The Baby was indeed in the manger—they spread the word of this extraordinary event. Ordinary individuals were entrusted with an extraordinary message…and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Extraordinary Reality

Good news, great joy: a Savior has been born to you. Down through the ages, the to you part of this story still grips me—ordinary you, ordinary me. Extraordinary, isn’t it?

 Living with Eternal Intentionality™

Imagine the silence of 4oo years being broken with the angel’s announcement! Put yourself in the place of a shepherd. What might your response have been that night outside of Bethlehem?

Consider the powerful potential of an interruption. Our tendency is to view an interruption negatively. When is the last time God interrupted your ordinary daily routine with His change of plans for you? How did you respond?

The angels’ chorus of praise says in v.14, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.  Why is peace so precious to those who know God?

When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child ( v.18). What resulted from the shepherds seeing the Newborn Christ?  How does this apply to us today?