Sometimes The Fanfare Doesn't Match the Feeding Trough

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.  So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 'Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is translated, 'God with us.'" (Matthew 1:21-23)

What a glorious proclamation of, "I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people."  Now, in this baby in a feeding place for animals is, "God with us," God our Savior, God who is fulfilling, "....save His people from their sins."  Here is God, yet I don't think He could have found a more humble place to reveal Himself as, "God with us."

Have you ever noticed how modern religion makes such a big show of everything, huge buildings, grand productions, spending money lavishly?  Yet all this is in interesting contrast to the revelation of, "God with us," in a feeding trough, of Him Whose very Name is Salvation, "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  I think of the tradition of the inauguration of American presidents, the balls, the parties, the millions of dollars spent.  Then I think of a barn-like atmosphere and a feeding trough for the King of the Universe.  Something isn't quite right here, or maybe it is.

During the Christmas Season it is difficult to see the grand humility, the obscureness of God's Supreme Revelation to man.  In the midst of our celebration, the lights, the presents, the cantatas is a call to quiet humility before others, a humility which we find in that feeding trough, with only a few sheepherders and animals--------- the carpenter and his wife------------outside of the comfort and warmth of the inn--------- yet inside our hearts.

Father, in Jesus' Name, ---the wonder of Your humble revelation of, "God with us."  I pray You thus manifest in me. Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"But What Are They Among So Many?"

"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" (John 6:9)

There is grief unspeakable in Newtown, CT., across America, even in some localities around the World today for those murdered last Friday.  Incessant talk show speculation, the "Whys," the theories, the find-somebody-to-blame, the I-don't-knows.  It is a twenty first century version of, "but what are they among so many?" 

Matthew and Mark can give the impression that the thousands who were with Jesus had not eaten in three days, and Jesus wanted to provide for their "needs."  But as the disciples searched around, they could only come up with enough for a handful of people.  The response was the "human" response, "....But what are they among so many?"  In the face of the impossible, there was just no other conclusion.

What tragedy, sicknesses, financial c risis, heartache, in your life has brought forth the question, "But what are they among so many?"  The response from Andrew was a "natural" one, and the "natural" (flesh) does still rear it's faith-limiting head in times of great pain.  Romans 8 says, "But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you."  The Holy Spirit never asks, "But what are they among so many."  There is nothing which catches the Godhead by surprise, nothing which is impossible to deal with.

So today, no mat ter what is before you and me, we need never say in bewilderment, "But what are they among so many?"  The, "so many," are the, "the cares of this life."  The, "they," is Jesus Christ and His unfathomable, limitless supply.  Remember,"And my God shall supply ALL your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Father, in Jesus ' Name, I confess so much of life is, "but what are they among so many"--- but never in You.  Amen.
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Read about another possible Obama appointment which reveals attitude towards the Jews and Israel: www.jerusalemberlinwashington,blogspot.com   

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"The End is Not Yet" (Jesus)

"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass but the end is not yet." (Matthew 24:6)

"See that you are not troubled;..the end is not yet," but, "the end," will be.  All Scripture has been taking humanity on an historic odyssey leading to Paul's statement, "and then comes the end."  There is more talk today in America, even among many church-goers, about the Mayan Calendar ending than the Biblical, "blessed hope," of the Second Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Peter spoke of Jesus to a crowd after the healing of a sick person, "Whom heaven must receive until the times of restortation of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began."  And, it has been, "since the world began," that God has been pointing people to the day when man's rampage on Earth will end and Jesus will return, "in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."

"And then comes the end," only when King Jesus says, "comes the end," no one or nothing else.  But you know that.  In the midst of unspeakable tragedy, heartache and despair, the promises of the Blessed Trinity keep Christ's Followers going, because His promises are not sent to us, rather, they are in us because in us is the One Who, "came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation."

The cynics and skeptics can ridicule, "the end," all they wish.  For me, "the end," is the beginning, the beginning of that which no one on earth can even describe or imagine.  For you and me, it is as Jesus said, "And what I say to you, I say to all:  Watch!"

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray the fulfillment of These, Your Words, for the people of Newtown, CT.---- "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed Me to...comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."  Amen.   

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2