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The story of the Nativity does not find its end at birth. As every birth before it, and each one since, it is the miraculous beginning to an even grander story. We must not miss the immeasurable treasure of God’s scandalous choice to become one of us. And the event of Jesus’ birth and narrative which precedes and shortly follows it are surely worth celebrating. But it is only when we connect God’s choice with its ultimate purpose, that the true weight of the treasure can be measured.

The Christmas story should never be confined to Bethlehem. The people, places and events interwoven with the miracle of His birth should only be the opening chapter in our telling. Would it be sufficient to only tell the story of the days and weeks surrounding your own birth? Certainly not. It is what God does in and through us during the full measure of our lives which defines the treasure we are to Him and to those we were born to love and serve. It is even more so with the birth of Jesus.

In eternity past, before God’s first breath of creation, He authored a plan. In a way that I can’t even begin to comprehend, God knew we would reject Him even before He created us. He loved us so much, even then, that instead of deciding against creating us, He chose to sacrifice everything in order to redeem us. There was one thing He couldn’t bear the thought of more than separation from His Son (who was everything to Him) … eternal separation from you and me.

So, God decided his Son would become one us for the sole purpose of saving us. He sent that message with the angel Gabriel to speak into a dark and lonely night and the heart of a simple carpenter in Nazareth.

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 1:20b-21 (ESV)

The angel (in my words of paraphrase) speaks to Joseph … “Fear not, Joseph. The young woman you just married, who is now pregnant by a way which confounds and deeply troubles you, has actually been touched by the Holy Spirit itself and will give birth to a precious infant boy with five fingers and toes and who also is the Son of the living God.” But that’s just half the message. It would have been wholly incomplete for Gabriel to announce that God himself was coming to earth to live among us. God calms and reassures Joseph, but he also declares — declares His divine intention and purpose in sending Jesus to be born as a fully human baby boy who is destined to be the Savior of the world.

The story of Christmas is not fully understood unless it is told from cradle to grave (and beyond). There is an improper finality suggested when we tell, sing and celebrate Jesus’ birth as an O holy night. Standing alone, it is a story of immeasurable worth and glad tidings … God has become one of us! But told absent the cross, tomb and resurrection, it stops short of the fullness of its hope. The miracle of Jesus’ birth must be celebrated alongside the deep sorrow in His suffering and death. The shouts of joy and praise over His coming must find chorus with those of His resurrection from the dead! Jesus, our Savior! Oh, come let us adore Him. Unto us, He has been born!

The 2022 “A Journey in Scripture” Bible Reading Plan will be posted later this week!

Songs of the season are familiar to everyone. You can enter almost any store this week and hear a song about the Christ-child. To my ear, the most familiar songs we hear were written long ago. Think about it! I’ve been singing the story of Christmas for over fifty years, and although there must be some newer songs of the season, I couldn’t name any. Except for one! You may have heard that singular song I can name … “Mary, Did You Know?” by Mark Lowry.

Every time I hear that song, there is an emotional response. Something about what Mary knew — and what she didn’t — is fascinating to me. Sadly, on most occasions after hearing the timeless words of the song, I find myself moving on to something else. Most often the words (and their meaning) don’t linger. Perhaps you feel the same way, so allow me to rehearse a few of the lines from this newer song of the season with you. Just maybe, they’ll cause you to reflect on the majestic birth and awesome power of Jesus. Remember, we are celebrating that God became flesh, and that truth can never be overstated.
Take just a moment with me to reflect on some select words from this song that you’ve heard and enjoyed but maybe never stopped to internalize.

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
would save our sons and daughters?

Jesus did walk on water, and He gives eternal life to anyone who puts their trust in Him for salvation. Can you imagine raising the Son of God in your home? Mary fixed Him meals, gave Him baths as a child, never had to punish Him for misdeeds, and was, no doubt, profoundly impacted by the infinite capacity of His greatness. But could she have imagined Him on the water … or, that He would one day die on the cross for us?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
will give sight to a blind man?
When you kiss your little Baby,
you kiss the face of God?

My Savior (and, I trust, yours) did heal the blind man, and He still can (and will) heal today. Never let your soul become so barren that you doubt His ability to do what doctors only wish they could do. One of the thrills of every parent and grandparent is giving their special little boy or girl hugs and kisses. Mary undoubtedly loved to give baby Jesus those same hugs and kisses. I get chills just typing the words that she was kissing the face of God! Could she have imagined in any way the depth of His specialness … His being fully God and fully baby boy?!

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
is the Lord of all Creation?
This sleeping Child you’re holding
is the Great I Am!

We find in Scripture, by Him (Jesus) were all things created in heaven and on earth (Col. 1:16). Yet on the day of our dear Savior’s birth, imagine Mary holding Him close. What must she have been thinking? She was holding the Lord of all Creation, and she was to raise Him in her humble home?! He was called Immanuel—which means God with us. My mind races and is filled with wonder trying to comprehend what Mary sensed, and knew, about Immanuel in her home. Today we have Scripture, history and the Holy Spirit helping us worship the Lord of all creation – the Great I Am. Young Mary had an angel’s pronouncement that the Lord was with her and that she would give birth to the Son of God. She knew His name would be Jesus, but I can only imagine what she sensed and wondered as that Holy Child grew up in her household.

I admit that I am fascinated and deeply moved by this newer “classic” of the season, “Mary, Did You Know?” On Christmas Day, we will celebrate what we do know – that true and lasting hope was born on that day. Mary’s child grew up and walked on water, was a healer, calmed the storm, raised the dead, and died on a cross, then rose from the grave … ALL FOR US!

On this earth, we’ll never know all that Mary really understood. But I am so glad this song of the season reminds me that Christmas is about the Lord of all creation, the great I Am … the Savior of all who accept Him!

Daniel was 15 years old when he was taken into captivity from his home in Judah. Yet even as a teen, his devotion to his God was unwavering. His demeanor and attitude earned him the respect of the king’s court, exalting him eventually to a powerful position in the empire. If you think Daniel’s story is only about the lions’ den, think again.

Please click here to reference some brief biographical details on the character of Esther.

David truly led an amazing life. God gifted him with such bravery that he could slay a giant and lead armies. As a musician, he could play a soothing lyre, and then write poetry that makes our hearts soar still today. The Lord Himself proclaimed David to be a man after His own heart, but like so many of the characters we have studied so
far, he was not perfect. Shepherd boy, musician, poet, soldier and king … Enjoy our study of David.

Please click here to reference some brief biographical details on the character of David.

With this latest Bible character in our study, we have a unique glimpse into his childhood. From the story we have heard since we were kids, we know that Samuel (“…Samuel, Samuel !”) was literally called by God for service. Many believe he was the greatest judge of Israel, even being used by God to unite the country under a new monarchy. He had his struggles with his adult sons, but we can look to Samuel for his faithfulness to God’s leading.

Please click here to reference some brief biographical details on the character of Samuel.

Ruth shared a great sadness with her mother-in-law, Naomi. But more importantly, she shared a faith in the true God. Ruth was willing to leave the home she had always known to travel with Naomi to a strange land, even allowing Naomi to eventually arrange her marriage. Her faithfulness and love are true examples for us to follow.

Please click here to reference some brief biographical details on the character of Ruth.

As we finish our study of Moses, who some say was the greatest prophet in the Bible, we are entering into a short study of two other imperfect and colorful characters. Rahab and Samson both had their struggles early on, but like Moses, they triumphed in the end. Here is a brief synopsis of their life that will give you some insight as you enter into the study. Enjoy and Learn!

Please click here to reference some brief biographical details on the characters of Rahab and Samson.

Who is Moses?  Some say he is the greatest prophet to ever live.  The Jews hold him in the highest of esteem. One thing is for certain, he was a man for his times, and his birth started a chain of events that changed the world forever.

Please click here to reference some brief biographical details on the character of Moses.

Today we begin our reading and considering of Joseph. His life, not just his coat, had many colors. 

Please click here to reference some brief biographical notes on Joseph.