Advent - Kings

 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.” Matthew 2:1-12

 

 

I remember my mom saying she never wanted her kids to be too smart or too stupid, just average, average fits in better.  Or something like that.  I laugh at it now and wish maybe I could have been just a bit smarter.  Like those Kings who liked to look at stars, a great philosopher, or our founding fathers. There is a strange thing that happens when we study, we can get smart and gain wisdom, in that wisdom our faith grows, our knowledge grows, our relationship with God deepens.  But, also in learning, there is a twist, a lie, if we aren’t careful.  The evil one, wants to control that wisdom.  Remember the lie in the garden?  When he whispered to Eve that God forbid the fruit because she would be like God and know things. And Eve ate.  The desire to know things is strong in us, it’s part of the miraculous creation He made us to be, to seek deeper understanding of the world and those around us.  But when the evil one whispers, “there’s more if you turn from God,” some are tempted to listen.  

 

Our world is inundated with the message, “you don’t need God, Jesus is a crutch, weak people are Christians.” Our schools teach history and science with no mention of God, a creator, or the Bible. And yet, God used a bunch of pagan astrologers to find the Savior.  How strange.  How very God.  Two worlds collide. At the very core of creation is the message and proof of Jesus.  I love it when God uses the unexpected, the unwanted, the outcast. These men who studied the stars knew something was different and it intrigued them.  When was the last time you looked up at the sky and it intrigued you? This year, 2020, in the days leading up to Christmas the planets Jupiter and Saturn appear to be in a dance as they are set to align as one planet on Dec 21. The planets will be about 400 million miles apart but will look as if they are right on top of each other. This happening was last visible in 1226. Some believe this explains the bright star the Kings followed.  Incredible?  Or God?  Astronomers say this is a once in a lifetime experience as it will not be visible again until 2080.  For some young children they make see it again, but for adults it is now or never.  

 

Now or never, now there’s a statement.  Are we so caught up in our own version of the truth that we can’t see Him?  There isn’t much time left.  Life is moving, the days are passing, and we must choose which side of knowledge we are on.  

 

The Kings knew something was amiss, strange, and they acted.  They followed.  As learned men they would have known the history of the Jewish people and the promise of a Messiah, but these men did not serve or worship God. They were seeking an answer to this strange heavenly star and searching to find the Messiah at the request of King Herod who wanted Him killed.  In their seeking the answer to this wonderment in the night sky they found the child, The KING OF KINGS, Savior of the World. They fell at His feet and worshipped Him and presented Him with gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. I often think how strange this is.  I don’t believe they set out to worship Him, I believe it was a desire for knowledge that led them a great way. But God chose to use them.  They did not tell King Herod they had found the Child. And returned home by another route. 

 

Isn’t it just like God to place himself in the midst of our journey, while we are still ignoring Him?  While we are refusing to see our need for Him, we shut our eyes to the truth and then He catches us completely off guard by placing the brightest star in front of us and we can do nothing but stare and follow.  He will stop at nothing.  He will seek after and reveal himself to all. He is the creator of knowledge and wisdom. 

 

As you look to the sky this advent season, remember those Kings who so long ago followed the star to find the Savior.  Seek Him and you will find Him.  Don’t let the lie of the evil one lull you into a false sense of security in your own knowledge and understanding.  We all need the Savior.  

 

Advent, Shepherds

 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

 

 

If you had an important message and wanted to disperse it to the ones who would be most affected, what method would you use? Today you might use an email, Facebook, or other social media outlet. Perhaps you would include several emojis to get the point across that this is a really big deal. A lifechanging event. What if you had the ability to not only grab the attention of your audience, but do it in such a way that it struck absolute terror in their hearts?  

 

Picture a group of tired, humble, faithful men on a hillside resting near a flock of sheep.  These men were a bit low in the social order of their day.  The priests had chosen and discarded sheep after sheep, looking for that perfect lamb to offer in sacrifice. Now it was their responsibility to keep the flock safe during the long night.

 

And then the messengers arrive.  The only lights had been the fires and the heavenly bodies above, including a particularly bright star that had caught their attention but did not disturb them too much.  Suddenly the sky above them shone with a glorious light. First one messenger- a supernatural being emerged from the beautiful, terrifying light. The Angel quickly eased their fears and proclaimed a stupefying announcement. “Don't be afraid! this news is fantastic! It's a world changer for all the people! That Messiah you’ve been waiting for has been born tonight in the city of David!” I paraphrase just a little. 

 

These common, simple, hardworking men were not welcome at the temple for worship because their work required ceremonial rituals after the unclean manure and dead animals. They were good enough to care for the sacrificial animals but paradoxically their work excluded them from acceptance to worship. As soon as the messenger angel proclaimed the news and gave them the confirming information where to find this Messiah baby and how to recognize him, the rest of the heavenly choir showed up and showed out. This was the moment heaven and earth had waited for. There praise was in fine form. Never had there been so much to celebrate. The darling of heaven had just put on human form and the Kingdom clock started its countdown.

 

Those shepherds are easy to identify with. We are unworthy of a love like that. The one who comes to us exactly like we are says, “this message is for you. Right where you are. My love is unfailing and everlasting.” The invitation is the same. Come and see Jesus. No one is unclean or beyond his forgiveness and grace. The ‘temple’ is not required because it's all about the relationship.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

Lord,

Help us to see your message.  Thank you that in the midst of our filthy, messy lives you chose to show us the love of a Savior.  We pray that our focus is on you this advent season and that we seek to know you more. Amen

 

 

Advent, Mary

 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. John 1:14

 

There is nothing sweeter than the feel of a newborn in your arms. I often envy Mary that God honored her with the privilege of holding the Savior so close. Knowing him so intimately, feeling his movement in her womb, experiencing the pain of his birth, then lying back in exhaustion, a smile of pure joy as she looks into the eyes of the one God has entrusted into her care. This child so frail, so fragile, dependent on the nourishment of her breast, looks back at her with complete trust for his wellbeing. All the while the chaos of the world ensues.  Joseph had traveled with his pregnant betrothed  because of the task at hand.  The Census, the count was to be taken and a baby waits for nothing when the time has come. The new mother finds herself in an dirty stable, in a strange city, cold, dark, alone.  And here she welcomes the Light of the World.   Was she scared? I suspect terrified.  Did she imagine this going a totally different way when God told her she was to birth the Savior? Perhaps.  There was no hesitation, as babies allow none, so it was out of her hands at the moment of his arrival.  The pain, the screams, the tearing, all for the Son of God.  She didn’t ask for this, I assume she didn’t fully understand what was happening, but there was a bond, a knowing, and intimacy, she knew this child within her and every instinct kicked in as she birthed the newborn.  And then with his tiny cries, it was over.  The pain miraculously gone replace by joy and a love only a mother knows in that moment after birth. And there in the dirt Mary held to her the Son of God.  Right there!! That’s what I envy.  That closeness.  Flesh touching flesh.  The smell of him, the softness of his skin, the sweetness of his new face.  Can you imagine? She knew him and he knew her.  The long awaited Child was nestled in the arms of a girl and he had known her from before the foundation of the earth.  And there was no fear.  How could there be?  To know the Savior is to know no fear. 

 

But we live in a tumultuous world, fear is everywhere.  And why?  Nothing has changed since the time of His birth.  Evil and good both exist. There is a fight for your attention and the control of your life.  The evil distracts you, wants you to feel comfortable and safe, evil keeps you on the sidelines, tucked out of the way, just plodding through life, not making waves, just existing.  But the Good, He gave His son and when he did, he meant business.  He will stop at nothing to have you.  He wants only good for you and promises to never leave you but requires faith and trust. He tells you from the very start of the relationship that it won’t be easy, but he’ll be with you.  GOD WANTS YOU!  Take a cue from Mary. God told her she was to bear His son.  She trusted.  She knew there would be pain. She trusted.  And with great anticipation she carried the Son of God for nine months of pregnancy through to an excruciating birth and then stood at the foot of the cross as the Savior of the world fulfilled the promise.  How could she stand it?  Did she remind herself of the purpose as the tears flowed?  Could she still feel him at her breast in need of her for life as he hung in death to give her live? The pain of this moment is too much to bear, but necessary in order to understand.  He died that we might have life. 

 

As we walk through this life, we anticipate His second coming.  The world is lost, darkness is closing in all around us.  But we must not be content to sit this fight out.  This is our time.  No matter what lies ahead or the pain we must endure, He has a plan for us, right here, right now.  What is holding you back?  Let God have it.  What fear are you holding onto?  He is greater that it.  Whatever he is calling you to he has already paved the way. Mary did not know the detail of God’s plan, but she knew God.  In that knowing, she trusted, and through that trust came the blessing. Trust Him.  There is something beautiful that awaits. 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me to set aside the fear that keeps me from knowing you fully.  Thank you for the gift of your son and the promise of eternal life.  Help me to be the light in the darkness of my world.  Help me to see that no matter how great or small the calling when it is from you I must act and step out in faith.  Thank you for never leaving me and for a love that surrounds me so completely. 

 

In your Son’s precious name, Amen

Advent, Expectancy, Anticipation,

 Every year we look back and say, "Where did the time go?" Surprised that another year has gone by. The Christmas season is a time of contrasting emotions but this year in particular finds us with unique challenges. Our gatherings with friends and family look different. Feelings of loneliness and isolation have increased. Hope may be mingled with dread, anticipation with despair. Even in a 'normal' year, our inner voice can be drowned out by superficial distractions, leaving us drained and frustrated as the busyness robs us of the deeper meaning of the season.

 

We are living between the first Advent of Jesus Christ and the second Advent - His return. The essence of Advent is expectancy. A watchfulness. A time of hope and expectation. Christmas is about a promise fulfilled. Within the manger lies the cross, and the hope of redemption and resurrection. We look with fresh eyes at who Jesus is and are astonished anew at this amazing story. God is faithful. His plans prevail. In fact, it is only in God's coming that the Bible itself is given value.

 

God waited a thousand years after King David to bring the Messiah. 700 years after the prophesies in Isaiah. 400 years after the last prophet, Malachi. And then God showed up in the most amazing series of surprises. That's the thing about love. It will take you to surprising places. It will take many forms. The Father brought that love to a young, frightened girl in a backwater town called Nazareth on the outskirts of society. Then He caused a worldwide census to position her in Bethlehem. And God gave the message to uncouth, dirty shepherds that His love had been born in a barn and placed in the feeding trough of the cattle. Then He brought from the east Magi, pagan astrologers to the Christ child. How utterly bizarre. And then He caused the Messiah's flight to Egypt through the threat of Herod - the very place He had rescued His people from slavery. That love became a carpenter who became homeless and spent His time with the sick, the lame and the outcasts. He became despised while continuing to love those who despised and wished to hurt Him.

 

We long for a love that lasts. A love that is brave, not shaken. God offers a supernatural love, a love that compelled Jesus to leave His home in Heaven and take on human frailty as 'Immanuel', God With Us. 

 

We hear a lot these days about 'Intersectionality'. How race, class, gender, etc. intersect and overlap. A framework for understanding how identities combine. We live in parallel worlds. One consists of mountains, beaches, lakes, oceans, farms, deserts, politicians and shepherds watching over their flocks. The other consists of angels and sinister forces, places called Heaven and Hell. As scripture says, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together". One night among the hills of Bethlehem those two worlds came together, but the eyewitnesses simply saw a newborn infant struggling to use brand new lungs.

 

Can you even imagine if those events were to play out in this tumultuous world we are living in today?  Think for a moment that you are going about your day and God himself appears to turn your whole world upside down in a way that will astonish, annoy and then amaze you if you choose to see He is doing it out of a love we can never comprehend. While we typically celebrate birth with joy and excitement, the reality of his birth is that it was necessary to fulfill the promise of eternal life brought by his death and resurrection. When the two worlds collided that night in Bethlehem, love was born.  As Mary held the infant close, the sound of a hammer rang out in the near future, the sound that would bring him to ultimate suffering for the love of us all.  The time is now for us to examine the world we live in and our response to the sacrifice of the cross. Are we living with expectancy this advent season?  Are we open to allowing God to show us more? As we approach the celebration of the ChristChild’s birth and the coming of a new year, let’s take a closer look at the responses of those whose lives were upturned by the events that unfolded. 

 

I am thrilled and honored to have collaborated on this devotional with my friend June Somers-Caudill.  I hope it blesses you this Christmas Season. ~Jenny 

 

Marriage 22 Years

 Brad and I were recently asked the secret to a long marriage. We just celebrated 22 years and by no means consider ourselves experts, but we do have a few tips and I’m smiling now as I recall sharing them with this eager young man. 

This year’s anniversary found us in two different states so we postponed time away together until this weekend.  For as long as I can remember we used a portion of our anniversary weekend away to Christmas shop.  This year we planned to do the same.  I booked a two night hotel stay with plans to check off our Christmas List. A few days ago I asked if we could change plans, take the Miata instead of the Explorer and just spend the weekend driving and exploring Florida backroads.  At the hotel we could just Amazon  our Christmas list.  He was more than happy to oblige. 

Our time this weekend has been wonderful. Any time away from it all causes me to reflect on what we have. Marriage is a commitment. A happy, fulfilled marriage is a choice. Honestly we don’t always make the right choices where ours is concerned and find we have to clean up some pretty big messes. And that’s just what we do. Instead of throwing in the towel, which is happening far too often in the marriages of our friends,  when it gets tough we choose to roll up our sleeves and tackle the problem head on. 

Brad’s advice to that young man was something we both heard from our pastor before we even met each other.  To not go into marriage with the mindset of giving your 50 percent, but always striving to give 100 percent and at times more. 

We live by that.  Mine is always to be honest no matter what. And then the three s’s, support, silence, and sex.

To support each other in life is a gift. To know the hopes and dreams of your spouse and encourage them to press toward them is an honor. Brad is my greatest cheerleader. He encourages me to seek after my dreams. I do the same for him. 

Silence. This is hard for me at times, because I am a fixer and always want to talk things out.  But knowing when to stay silent is “golden.” I’m getting better at it, I think!  Sex, well  you’d think this was a no brainer, but far too often this essential area is where marriages fall apart. My mom used to say sex starts in the kitchen... I love that. Just the other night as Brad and I were passing each other quickly in the kitchen as I was rushing off to drop off and pick up kids, he grabbed my butt and smiled at me as he told me to not be gone too long.  After 22 years he still makes me feel like the most loved, most wanted woman anywhere. Meeting each other’s needs bring happiness and excitement. But it’s a choice. 

Being intentional in our relationship is essential to our marriage’s health.  Our lives are busy, some days crowded to overflowing, but neglecting one another is not an option. I’m “lucky” that when I forget my own advice, Brad is more than happy to remind me.

Taking time away, being together is one thing we have become very good at these last few years, as our older children have become capable of taking care of things at home. Although 2020 saw many closures and shut downs we found a way to get away alone for 3 weekends, a few day trips, and always a weekly lunch/dinner date. Not an easy thing when you work two jobs, run a business and have 7 kids. But we made a choice to keep our relationship strong. I always say getting away makes us better parents and that’s true.  But it strengthens our bond in a way that doesn’t happen when we are surrounded by daily life. 

I’m writing this as we walk a battlefield state park off some Florida backroad. The sun is just starting to burn off the late morning fog. It’s beautiful and quiet except for the birds which are singing quite loudly. The best part is strolling with the man beside me.  My rock. Right now all is right in our world, but I am not so naive as to think we won’t stumble upon hard times in the years ahead, but I rest in the knowledge we can face anything if we face it together. That’s the best part of marriage, sharing life, no matter what comes.  But deciding in advance to go through it together. Here's to another 22 years.

Priorities and Traditions

When it comes to priorities and traditions we have to be intentional.  The busyness of life will lie to us, having us to believe there just isn't enough time and we push important things to the back burner. That's why date night has always been a priority for me and Brad. It's not always the same day each week, but it does happen each week in some form or another.  Last night it was dinner out at a New Mexican restaurant about 30 minutes away.  We enjoy the time in the car alone to talk in private.  It also allows for better people watching time in the restaurant!  Dinner was lovely and the time together was just what we needed as we have many important decisions on our plate right now and our heads are spinning as we head into this busy holiday season. so we were intentional with our time last night. 

Brad is recovering from surgery so I was driving last night and when we arrived home I didn't pull into the driveway but stayed in the road. I put it in park and ran up to the front door and shouted, "anyone who wants to look at Christmas lights get in the car now!" It's a long held family tradition.  I had decided we would kick it off in our neighborhood and leave the big night of lights for later in the month.

The kids were excited so they piled into the car. Amelia 3 was already in her bed asleep, so they grabbed her and carried her out.  NO judgement here....we live in a closed community and it was late and I drove 5MPH, but I put Amelia on my lap sound asleep as the kids all climbed in the back.  It was chilly and they snuggled together under a fleece blanket. Amelia, on my lap was still asleep, the cold hit her, she wiggled a bit to get closer to me, but didn't wake up. As we started to go (fair warning, my kids say this is too gross to share) I was suddenly aware of my lap becoming very very very warm. Yes! my sleeping baby girl peed in my lap right there in the driver's seat. As we were already underway I decided to finish our drive and deal with the pee when we got back.  Amelia slept the entire time and when we carried her into the house she looked at our house all lit up and smiled as she said "the lights are so beautiful." I laughed because she had missed looking at all the other houses. 

Now you might think it gross to drive around looking at lights covered in pee. But being together in that moment was a priority.  In a big family if you don't take an opportunity as it's presented you lose it. The fact that 5 kids ages 16-3 got in the car excited to look at lights means something. Even though we were missing two old kiddos, it is sweet that they text me addresses of light displays that they think are not to be missed with the kids.  Even though their lives have taken them away from some of the family traditions it still matters to them.  The memories mean enough that they want their younger siblings to experience the same. Make time for each other.  Priorities and traditions turn into beautiful family memories. 

*on a side note about the pee. 

We went inside and got cleaned up, changed into clean jammies and went to bed.  I was so grateful that pee accident had not happened in her bed.  Changing jammies is a lot easier than bunkbed sheets and bedding!!!! PRIORITIES!