We have come to the final day of the year, a year I hope you have filled with the wisdom of God. I hope you will continue to consume and embrace God’s words of wisdom each day. New Year’s resolutions are going out of style. Very few resolutions are made with lasting resolve. Jesus would offer us a resolution that will never change, and a resolution he will make possible.This new year will hold its own joys, its own challenges, and its own opportunities. Jesus was preaching his Sermon on the Mount when he gave some great advice for every December thirty-first of our lives.Jesus said, “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25). The Lord knows every moment of the coming year and all that you will face personally. He knows all our culture will face as a nation. He knows all that our friends and family members will face. Jesus knows and told us, “Do not be anxious about your life.” God has you in the palm of his hand and you are forever fine.When Jesus had finished commanding his disciples to “not be anxious,” he taught them how to focus on something besides their concerns. He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”There is only one resolution you need to make for the new year. Resolve to make Jesus your king and all your focus to be on his righteousness. Resolve to be right with Jesus this year and everything else “will be added to you.” Jesus taught his disciples how to live in a close, personal relationship with him. Their lessons are our lessons today.I pray Wisdom Matters has served to fill your life with the wisdom of God and the insight of how his wisdom can change your life.Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. God’s wisdom is found in God’s Son, his Spirit, and in the words of Scripture. Continue to gain God’s wisdom. In a culture of abundant information, his wisdom matters.
The angel told the shepherds that they brought “good news of great joy” and their news was for “all the people.” The phrase good news is from the Greek word euangelion, meaning good news, good tidings, and the word gospel. When the angels told the shepherds they had come to bring “good news” of great joy, they used the same word Paul used in Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (italics added).When the shepherds announced the birth of Christ, they announced his purpose. Jesus is the good news, the gospel, and the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.If only we could live our lives with the conviction that we have good news. If only Christians were convinced that they have the ability and the joy to share the gospel with people. The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. Why then do we falter, hesitate, or second-guess our response when someone asks us about our faith? Why then did we ever allow our culture to tell us our message is a personal truth rather than the good news for everyone?The shepherds rushed from the cave in Bethlehem to tell others what they had seen. Scripture says, “All who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them” (Luke 2:18). The shepherds had “good news” and were anxious to share it with everyone. The shepherds are our example today. The shepherds didn’t try to convince people they were right; they simply shared the good news they had experienced. They shared the message the angels had given them. Our witness is to do the same thing with people today. The gospel is the powerful good news about who the baby Jesus grew to become. Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. Our gift to Jesus is to share the good news, the gospel, with his wisdom and power. We have a treasure to give others.
Those verses from Paul’s letter to the Philippians should be memorized and understood by every Christian. We should hang them on our doorposts, post them on our cell phones, and quote them to the mirror every morning. It would change our lives and our witness if we lived with the overwhelming truth about Jesus’ sacrifice.Jesus was there when the world was created. Jesus lived in the glory and perfection of heaven. In heaven, Jesus never felt pain, never was ill, never was tempted, and never existed a moment apart from the loving presence of God the Father. Jesus was praised by the angels in heaven and surrounded by the saints of the Old Testament. Jesus received the glory he was due and lived in the glory he deserved.Then Jesus stepped away from all of that to be born “in the likeness of men” and raised by a family. He “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant.” He worked hard as a carpenter and then left that work to do the ministry of the Messiah. Finally, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Jesus gave up the highest glory of heaven to receive the most shameful, painful death ever devised by man. Jesus did that for you and for everyone.We are called to be like Jesus, beginning with his humility. Humility is one of the qualities of Jesus most difficult to attain, especially in our culture today. Human nature leads us to claw our way to the top. God’s nature within us is the only way we will humbly claw our way to the bottom.The power behind humility is the picture of all that Christ gave up to become our Savior. And Paul said, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” The only way we will have “this mind” is to gain that mindset from Jesus and the example he lived and died to give us.Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. Jesus is also the power to live our lives with his humility.
Has someone repeatedly come to your mind these past few days? Was there something that happened this past month that you need to forgive or be forgiven for? Did you forget someone or something during the Christmas rush? It isn’t too late.Most of us have said something wrong to someone. Most of us have forgotten what we should have remembered. Most of us know people who are overly sensitive about the times we are under-attentive. Relationships will always require more work and a lot more sensitivity than what comes naturally.We expect people to let us down at times, and they should expect that we will do the same. Most of us can forgive others their mistakes, especially when we consider our own. But what about those times when we feel like the Lord has let us down? How do we continue to pray to God when we feel like he hasn’t been listening?Paul wrote about his personal struggles in several of his letters. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he wrote about his “thorn in the flesh.” Paul had missionary work to accomplish. Paul had letters to write and sermons to preach. Yet, something in his life made it difficult for him to fulfill his calling. He had prayed, asking God to take it away so his life would be easier. But God didn’t do what Paul had asked. By the time Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians, he had discerned God’s answer to his prayer. God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” And Paul wrote, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” God essentially told Paul, “You don’t have what you want, but you have what you need so that you will allow my power to be your strength and your sufficiency.” God does answer our prayers, but he answers them for our eternal good. His priority is our eternal reward, which is sometimes at the expense of our earthly comfort.Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. Wisdom is accepting our treasure is sufficient for today, even when some answers to prayer aren’t fully known until heaven.
A lot of people are relieved to see the season end. Most bars are open on Christmas Day because a lot of people are lonely and hope to find temporary anesthesia for their pain. Many people are stranded in airports and just want to get home. Christmas is not a celebration for some in our culture, and they are glad to end the hubbub of the holiday that only hurts their souls. Who needs to meet Jesus before next Christmas?Sharing our faith with people who blame Jesus for causing them pain is difficult. He is the reason they don’t mix well with their family. He is the reason they are left out of some conversations. Jesus can be the reason their self-esteem is lower and their bitterness is increased.For those of us who know the love of Jesus, trying to comprehend why others would feel differently is hard. People will usually have a difficult time knowing they are loved by the Lord, unless they are first loved by his children.People were created with a great need to know God. That need is a good place to begin your prayers for those you know who need Jesus. The philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote a book in 1669 titled Pensées. Pascal explained the empty place in our souls that only God can fill. He wrote, “What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words, by God himself.”The God-shaped vacuum in everyone’s life is the best place to take the words of Christ, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” He spoke those words to Mary and Martha, who were grieving the fact that Jesus had allowed their brother Lazurus to die. Jesus told them what every human being needs to know. He has the power to save.Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. Wisdom is knowing that Jesus is the only One able to fill the empty space in people’s hearts, souls, and lives.
A lot of people enjoy their Christmas decorations all the way into the new year. I’m not one of those people. I’m notorious for being the first to pick up and put away all those Christmas decorations! My friends have commented on that because I’m also the one who enjoys Christmas more than most. But for me, when the people are gone, and the twenty-fifth is gone, so is the holiday.I love the simplicity of my “undecorated” home. I love the peaceful quiet that follows the noisy, fun Christmas celebration. I love thinking about Jesus, finally born, in the arms of Mary. She must have been so relieved to hold him, knowing he had safely arrived.Every Christmas season on earth has a beginning and an end. Nothing about our earthly lives is permanent, except our souls. Those of us who believe can say with conviction, “It is well with my soul.”I will enjoy my morning coffee and a warm fire when I am able to look at my simplified surroundings. I will haul out the trash, throw away some Christmas candy, and think about losing any extra weight I’ve added. There is something wonderful about moving from one season to the next. There is something wonderful about the simplified joy of a Christmas “well done.”Jesus came to his beloved disciple John on the island of Patmos. John was worshiping Jesus when the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”Your Christmas season might last a little longer than mine, but, at some point, it will come to an end. Everything on earth has a beginning and an end. Everything, except God. God is the Alpha, the beginning of everything. God is also the Omega, the end. Jesus was “with God in the beginning.” Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus will come again as the Almighty Savior of the world. Jesus was born as a baby in Bethlehem but will come once again as the conquering King. It could be this next year! Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. He is our treasure for every day on earth and for all eternity.
It’s Christmas Day. After weeks of planning and preparation, this is the day of celebration. But, at the end of the day, only one celebration is needed. Every Christian can celebrate on this day:-“In the city of David a Savior” was born. He was and is “Christ the Lord.”-Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.-Jesus was born of a virgin because he was and is “the Son of God.”-Jesus was born as the final sacrifice for the sins of the world.-Christmas leads to Easter. Easter leads to eternal hope.Whatever else this day means to your life, allow yourself time for Christmas to mean what Christmas was intended to mean.God gave us Christmas because he “so loved the world.” God gave us Jesus so that “whoever would believe in him” could be saved. God gave us Christmas so he could give us Easter. We celebrate Christmas because we have believed and therefore we can live knowing we will never “perish” because we have the hope of eternal life.Allow the emptiness under the tree to serve as a reminder that each Christmas season on earth is a temporary moment of the eternal celebration that awaits us, God’s children.Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. May you treasure the moments of your Christmas celebration with the eternal wisdom and hope of all the celebrations to come. I wish you and yours a blessed and holy Christmas.
Jesus’ favorite way to refer to himself was as the “Son of Man.” The phrase occurs sixty-six times in the Synoptic Gospels and twelve times in the book of John. Why did Jesus refer to himself with that phrase?There are several answers to that question, but the most probable requires us to consider his audience, the Jewish people. The phrase is rooted in the Old Testament as simply referring to “son of Adam.” In other words, Jesus was a “human being” descended from Adam. If we combine that understanding with a prophecy from Daniel, we come to the complete truth. Daniel prophesied that the Messiah would be “one like a son of man” who would be given “dominion and glory and a kingdom” (Daniel 7:13–14). Daniel prophesied that the Messiah would be a human being but with divine power and authority.Christmas was the moment Daniel’s prophecy was fully revealed. Jesus was born of a virgin because God was his Father. Jesus was a human baby with divine purpose.Many will attend a Christmas Eve service tonight yet still attempt to explain the birth of Christ in human terms. They think of him as a good teacher, a prophet, or a “religious figure.” People still struggle with the idea of a miraculous conception. But people of faith understand that the Messiah whom Daniel prophesied was revealed in Jesus Christ. Jesus preferred to call himself the Son of Man because that was the full truth of his nature.Jesus told those listening who he was and why he had come when he said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). When he referred to himself with that phrase, he was saying, “I am your Messiah.” Why didn’t everyone understand? The bigger question is, “Why didn’t the Jewish leaders, the most studied of the Jewish nation, believe?” They should have known, and they should have pointed God’s people to Jesus as their Messiah. John the Baptist did. Jesus was the Son of Man, but he wasn’t the Messiah the Jewish leaders wanted him to be, so they didn’t believe. The same is true for people today. There is plenty of theological and historical proof for our faith, but faith is only for those who want to believe.Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. Wisdom is needed to understand and accept that Jesus was and is the Son of Man.
We look back at the first Christmas in Bethlehem through the lens of history. We see the birth of Jesus as God’s gift to the world (John 3:16). But we should not miss the truth of Matthew 1:21 either. Jesus came to save “his people” first.Matthew 1:19 describes Joseph as a “just man” who had decided to divorce Mary “quietly” when he learned she was pregnant. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph 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. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20–21). The name Jesus is derived from the Hebrew name Yeshua, meaning to deliver or rescue. It is the same name as Joshua, the man who led the Hebrew people into the promised land. Matthew is careful to describe the moment when an angel told Joseph the name of the baby Mary would deliver because, in that name, Joseph would understand the baby’s purpose. His name would be Jesus because the baby was the Messiah. Joseph understood and knew that he was called to care for Mary and her son.Jesus was God’s gift to the world, but he came first to the chosen people of God. The apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans, and he makes a statement in chapter 1 that is considered to be the theme of Romans. The apostle wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Jesus came to save “his people” first.Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph, two people who lived with great faith in God. The first Christmas was for those who were faithful to God the Father. The faithful Jewish people would be the first to understand and accept Jesus as their Messiah. Faithful Jewish men were chosen to be his disciples. Sadly, it would be the Jewish leaders who would hinder Jesus’ ministry the most. Jesus was born for one singular purpose. He was born to save “his people.” God’s children would be redefined in the years to come as those who “believed in the name of Jesus.” Jesus still wants to save “his people” today, both Jew and Gentile. Christmas was and still is for “his people.” Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. He is still Yeshua. He wants to rescue and save “his people.”
The whole world measures time based on the birth of Christ. In many ways, the world became new again because of Jesus.Rome had spent many years and thousands of man-hours constructing a system of roads through the countries they conquered. The Roman roads were built to carry soldiers, chariots, and weapons of war. Those same roads were also used to carry the word of God throughout the land.Rome had established itself as the world power. There was relative peace throughout the civilized nations. Rome had shared their markets, their language, their money, their culture, and their belief in multiple gods with the world as well.The Jewish people had revolted against the Romans and had reconciled themselves to their rule. Yet, their faith and values still held a stronger influence in their lives than Roman laws and ideals. As Paul wrote, “But, when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.” The studies of the timing of Christ’s birth are fascinating. Jesus picked the perfect time to come. Most people spoke one language and therefore understood his sermons. Rome protected his freedom to speak even when his Jewish brothers did not. The Roman culture had many gods and therefore was less concerned when Jesus was just “one more.” Jesus was born to be the sacrificial lamb, and Rome was even the reason he would be hung on a cross. What Rome did not understand was that Jesus was born in the fullness of time “to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:5). Jesus didn’t come to usher in new followers of the old covenant law or new citizens of Rome. Jesus was born to help people understand their “citizenship” was in heaven because they were the adopted children of the Holy God. Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. Jesus wisely and carefully chose to be born at that particular time in history. And world history was reborn at that same time.
Most of us can quote John 3:16, but we don’t finish Jesus’ message to Nicodemus without verse 17. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Then Jesus told Nicodemus why he had come to save the world: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”It is the week of Christmas. Most of us will spend time this week with someone in our circle of friends, or even in our families, who does not believe in Jesus like we do. Most of those people will feel like we “condemn” their way of thinking, and they would be right. How do we condemn their lack of belief without condemning them?Most of the time, John 3:17 is our answer and our Christian perspective. If Jesus told Nicodemus his purpose was to save rather than condemn, then we know that truth is our purpose as well. We can get caught up in the need to be right, which can justify some wrong words if we aren’t careful. We can get caught up condemning their wrong beliefs and never earn the right to offer them the truth about Jesus. He was born to save, not to condemn. If we don’t follow our Lord’s motivations, we follow something or someone less.God so loved the world he gave his Son to anyone who would believe. God wants people to live their earthly lives with the promise and hope of life eternal. God did not send Jesus to condemn the world. Instead, Jesus was born to save the world.But there is one point of theology we must stand firmly upon. God will only give his Son and his salvation to those who will believe. God doesn’t want anyone to perish, but salvation is a personal choice, and God won’t force anyone to choose. Jesus was not born to condemn; he was born to save. John 3:17 is the only way to share John 3:16.Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. Our treasure was given to us so we would carefully share it with others. If unbelievers realized we owned and were willing to share a “pearl of great price” (Matthew 13:46), they might be more ready to listen to our message.
The Christmas season offers so many opportunities to lift up our faith to a world that doesn’t understand it but at least appreciates our Christmas story.We can say “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy holidays.” We can wish someone a “blessed day” instead of a “good day.” We can decorate our homes, send our cards, post on social media, and prioritize our time with the goal of celebrating Christ with those we know. Peter taught that we should “honor Christ the Lord as holy.” I think Peter would encourage us to do that by keeping our Christmas celebrations “holy” as well.Peter also taught that we should always be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks.” If you make it a goal to lift up the name of Christ, you will at some point be asked why you believe. If you are open about your faith, people will expect you to be faithful to Christ. Most people are looking for the hope we have, even if they don’t realize that our hope is in Christ. Are you ready to answer their questions and lead them to meet the baby of Bethlehem who was and is the King of kings?Some of the world’s ideas about celebrating Christmas can seem pointless, absurd, and even offensive. Peter would encourage us to share the truth about Christmas with words and an attitude of “gentleness and respect.” Even when we aren’t given that same respect from others, we remember our accountability is to the Lord himself. Sharing the good news of Christ isn’t a debate; it is a delivery. We don’t hand them an argument for Christmas; we give them a gift from God.If Jesus would leave the glory of heaven to be born in a humble stable, we can lay aside our personal “rights” in order to be righteous. Jesus deserves our humble service, and we should be prepared wherever we go to be his Presence, his voice, and his love through the power of his Holy Spirit. Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. Wisdom is being prepared and ready to share our treasure with gentleness and respect every time we are given the opportunity.
Micah prophesied that the “ruler of Israel” would come from “Bethlehem Ephrathah.” Jesus, the King, was born quietly in a Bethlehem stable. He grew up in the home of a carpenter and lived his first thirty years in Nazareth as a tradesman. Except for his visit to the temple at the age of twelve, we know very little about the “ruler of Israel.” He amazed the priests at the age of twelve, but who else noticed Jesus wasn’t just another man?Jesus impacted a small region of the world after his baptism. Many were healed, many were taught, and many experienced his miraculous power. But Jesus didn’t fulfill Zechariah’s prophecy until the week before his death.Zechariah had written, “Rejoice 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.” The day Zechariah’s prophecy was fulfilled, the people shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9). Only a few days later, the shouts would change to: “Let him be crucified!” (Matthew 27:23).The story of Christmas is a story of great hope, but so is the story of Easter. Jesus’ glorious birth was followed by a long period of day-to-day, natural growth. The story of Jesus’ earthly ministry was just about three short, busy years. The glory of his entrance into Jerusalem was soon overshadowed by his tragic death. But, just three days later, his glory was established forever. The hope of Christmas required a wait. So did the hope of Easter. Peter taught those early believers, and us, how to wait with hope. He wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:3).The hope of Christmas is the hope of Easter today, but it is a living hope that dwells in each of God’s children. If you have the Holy Spirit of Jesus living in your life, you have that living hope because you have the promise of one day spending Christmas with Jesus in your eternal home. Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. Treasure the living hope we have as believers today.
The story behind the hymn “Silent Night” is a compelling picture for our Christmas season. It was on a cold Christmas Eve in 1818 that an Austrian pastor, Joseph Franz Mohr, carried a poem he had written years before to his friend Franz Gruber. The Christmas Eve service was only hours away and a flood had destroyed the organ at the church. The pastor hoped his friend could put his poem to music that could be played on a guitar.That is how “Stille Nacht” began. The hymn has been translated and many of the lyrics were altered from the original, but the spirit of the hymn remained. There is something profound in the quiet beauty of a candlelit sanctuary filled with people singing the timeless carol “Silent Night.” That moment reminds us that Christmas is a holy season.It’s no wonder that the world has turned the season into a long list of things to do. Jesus warned his disciples, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” Satan is the “father of lies” (John 8:44). I like to teach that Satan is also the demon of distraction. There are so many “good” things to do each Christmas that we sometimes get distracted from those things that are godly.“Silent Night” has been a favorite Christmas carol since it was written. Somehow, even a flooded church couldn’t stop Christmas worship. God blessed one man with an idea and another with a melody and their song has blessed countless people since. Satan would have chosen to kill and destroy a worship service in Austria. Jesus decided to bring abundant blessing instead.Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Jesus was born to defeat Satan’s claim on God’s people. Christmas was a miraculous, abundant gift from God. We should be careful to measure the abundance of our holiday by his standards. Satan would love to distract us by killing plans, stealing our joy, and destroying all that God wants to bless us with. If we allow Jesus to work, he can inspire and lead us to enjoy a blessed Christmas, filled with abundance. Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. Consider the lyrics of “Silent Night” and make this night a calm, “holy night.” May your Christmas be abundantly blessed as a result.
he kings from Persia were probably a very large group of travelers. The magi presented Jesus with three gifts, which is why tradition has whittled their number down to three. The story of the magi is only found in Matthew’s gospel because his audience was Jewish. This story was a link to Jewish history, and only they would have been able to see the connections.Matthew 2:1–12 tells the story. These “wise men” came from the East in search of a newborn king. Their arrival in the city of Jerusalem would have caused a commotion. A group of this size and this importance would have had quite an entourage. Their status is indicated by the fact that they went to Herod expecting him to give them an audience. Their status is also indicated by the fact that Herod was less than candid about his plans for that “newborn king.”They went to ask Herod their question, knowing him to be of Jewish lineage. Herod had been raised as Jewish, which is why the Romans chose him to be their leader in Jerusalem. The magi asked Herod where they should look for the newborn king, and he consulted with the Jewish leadership. Micah 5:2 is the verse the Jewish leaders quoted and the reason Herod sent the magi to Bethlehem.Bethlehem was home to King David’s family at one time. It was “little . . . among the clans of Judah.” It was a small place, home to farmers and shepherds. But, just as King David in “ancient days” had come from Bethlehem, so would the Messiah, the One who was to be the “ruler in Israel.” That verse would have led the magi to their king and was also the reason Herod plotted to kill all the young baby boys who had been born there. Bethlehem was a small town, so the number of baby boys born there would have been small, probably less than ten. That number wasn’t significant to Roman history, but it was significant to those who were Jewish. That’s why Matthew included this story in his gospel to the Jewish people.The magi were wise men, likely influenced by the faith that Daniel and others had taught when they were taken captive in the region of Persia hundreds of years earlier. Their faithful teaching during those days had likely inspired these kings to go in search of the new “ruler of Israel” hundreds of years later.Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. The timing of Jesus’ birth is a testimony to the wisdom, prophecy, and perfection of God’s plan for the salvation of the world.
Christmas is a unique aspect of our Christian theology. An in-depth study of the Christmas story tells us so much about why our world needed a Savior and why Jesus was the Savior the world needed.We are blessed to have access to biblical theology in the countless volumes written by theologians from around the globe. We have access to the strengths and weaknesses of the Christian church through the historical and biblical records that date back thousands of years. We have been “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” that we can easily find examples and encouragement for our faith from their lives.This life is a race, and we are called to run it with endurance. Every Christmas has sweet memories of past Christmas seasons and hope for all the celebrations to come. Every Christmas sparks a bit of sadness because of those whom we will miss and sparks joy because of the new lives who have joined our families.If something is heavy on your heart this Christmas, the author of Hebrews would encourage you to “lay aside” that weight so you can “run” your race. If there are unconfessed sins, he would tell you to repent so you can throw the burden of it to the side and run with endurance. We have been given a perfect example in Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. How would Jesus perfect your Christmas this year?Jesus endured the cross so that we could run our race with joy and with hope. We can live with gratitude to him by running the race, that is, living our lives with spiritual endurance. If Jesus walked up to you right now and held out his arms, what burden would he ask you to give up by giving it to him?Jesus, and so many of those biblical heroes, encourage us with their stories. None but Jesus were perfect people, but many allowed God to use their lives for his good and holy purpose. We can too! Jesus is the founder and perfecter of our faith. How does he want to perfect your Christmas season and your life today?Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. We can run our race with endurance and joy if we run our race led by his perfection.
Shepherds are a favorite analogy in Scripture. In biblical times the shepherds were key members of the culture, caring for the flocks that provided for the needs of the communities. The shepherds led the sheep to water and green pastures while protecting them from their natural predators. David was a good shepherd who grew to become a great king.Jesus told his disciples, “I am the good shepherd.” Jesus was born to care for God’s people and lead them through life. Jesus described himself as the good shepherd and then said, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jesus is the good shepherd who will leave the ninety-nine to go after the one. Jesus is the good shepherd who will fight Satan, the wolf who “seeks to kill and destroy” (John 10:10). The baby of Bethlehem grew up to be the good shepherd. Bethlehem is located about six miles from the city of Jerusalem. The fields were used by the shepherds, especially during the Passover season, to provide pilgrims with the lambs they needed to bring to the altar for sacrifice.The first Christmas most likely occurred during the spring when the shepherds were in those fields near Bethlehem, watching their flocks by night. There were a lot of shepherds in the fields that night when the skies were set ablaze with angelic light. Those shepherds were the first to go and see “the good shepherd” lying in that stable.All of us have people in our circles of influence whom God has called us to “shepherd.” Are we willing to guide them to those still waters where God can restore their souls? Are we willing to chase after the one who has wandered off? Will we do all we can to shepherd them and bring them to the good shepherd, the One who laid his life down for them?We might need to “lay down” some plans tomorrow to go after one who has wandered away. We might need to put our own lives on hold in order to lead others to a safer place. Shepherds are called to care for the flocks, for the good of the community. How will God put you to work tomorrow?Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. Wisdom is allowing the good shepherd to lead us and use us to care for his flocks. It’s an honor and privilege to serve the One who laid down his life for his own.
Enjoying the Christmas season with the peace and joy God wants us to have takes effort. We can know that our desire to be godly during these days is an effort God will reward. If we want to experience the holiness of this season, we simply need to allow Paul’s words to the Ephesians to be our great advice for these days. We shouldn’t be running around trying to do everything that seems important. If we do, we will likely miss what God has told us is important.There is an amazing power that has been invested into each Christian’s life. When we received God’s Holy Spirit, we received the person and power of his character. First John 4:8 tells us that “God is love.” When Christians are yielded to God’s Spirit, we are filled with God’s character. And God is love.Paul told the Ephesians, and each of us, to “walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” If we were standing with Christ each day, how would he feel about our patience with others? If we were seeing people with the compassion of Christ, how would our thoughts and actions change? Paul told the church to “walk in love, as Christ loved.” That is the goal we should set for this Christmas season and every day that follows.We can walk in the love of Christ if we will walk with the Spirit of Christ. Jesus sacrificed his life so that we could live filled with the character of God, the character that is love. Our effort isn’t to love others; it is to rely on the power of God’s love within us and give his love to others. Jesus became a “fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Now, through his Spirit, we can carry the fragrance of Christ to those we meet as our sacrificial service to God. We can see others and love them as Jesus would. That can be our Christmas gift to the One who gave everything to us.Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. We are greatly blessed. May the love of Jesus be the treasure we share with others.
I was asked to play Mary in the Christmas pageant more than once. I had long brown hair and my age fit the part. Only once did I have to hold a real infant in my arms, and I remember working hard to discreetly cover the baby’s ears so the orchestra and choir wouldn’t cause him to cry. I hoped it was a sweet time for the crowd, but I was relieved to get through it with no problems. I only played a small role in the pageant, but I remember thinking later how incredibly difficult that first Christmas truly was for Mary. The angel told her that she, a virgin, would give birth to a son. She had all the questions any young woman would have, then said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Jesus chose Mary because she understood that the highest purpose for her life was to live as a servant of the Lord. Mary would have cared about how her family, friends, and community would be impacted by her news. She was surely worried about telling Joseph. She had every reason to say no except one: she was called to serve the Lord. So, she said, “Let it be to me according to your word.”Later, when Mary saw Elizabeth, she received her first encouragement. Elizabeth, filled with God’s Spirit, confirmed and affirmed Mary’s pregnancy. The Magnificat is Mary’s song of praise and begins with the words, “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46–47). Mary was honored to be chosen and used by God.Jesus chose Mary to be his mother because she knew how to serve. Jesus chose Mary because she knew how to put God’s calling ahead of anything else, even those who were most important to her life. Jesus chose Mary because her soul rejoiced at the chance to serve. Mary is one of the finest examples in Scripture of what it means to trust the Lord with all of our heart, not leaning on human understanding but in every way knowing and accepting God’s calling. It is then we will allow God to direct our path.Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. I wish I had known more about Mary before I was asked to fill her role in the Christmas pageant. If I do that again, hopefully it will be with her heart, the heart of a servant.
Radiance is a good word to describe the Christmas season. Jesus is the light of the world, and we have lit the world for Christmas to remember that truth. The questions in the Christmas song “Mary, Did You Know?” are profound.Did Mary know she was kissing the face of God? Did Mary know that her sleeping child was the Great I Am?The author of Hebrews fully understood what Mary probably could not. He said Jesus was “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” We look back to Christmas with knowledge Mary could only have “pondered in her heart.” The best way to know God is to know his Son.When you study the life of Christ, you study the character of God. Jesus chose a cave, a stable, as his birthplace. Jesus chose to wash the feet of his disciples. Jesus chose to allow soldiers to mock and beat him. There is no sin that Jesus won’t forgive. Jesus showed compassion to the young, old, sick, and well. Even the lepers could come to him and be made whole again. When you see the compassion of Christ, you can know how you are loved by God. When Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, you can understand what grieves the heart of God today.Everything about the Christmas story points us to God the Father. “He upholds the universe by the word of his power.” Yet, God chose to send his Son to a world that would ignore and mistreat him. When we see the way Jesus was treated, we understand the depth of God’s grace.Now, God the Father and God the Son are side by side in heaven. One day God will tell his Son, “This is the day.” When we see Jesus, the radiance and glory of God, we will see God, “the Majesty on high.” What if that happens this Christmas?Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. And wisdom is understanding that our treasure was and is the exact imprint of God.