Here we are, Christmas week,
when we remember the most amazing miracle of all:
God came to be with us in the flesh.
Together we’ll help each other stay centered in the hustle and bustle of this busy week,
to ponder, as Mary did, what it all means.
I’ve mined treasures for each day, keeping it brief, and including the special video (thanks to Laura, Rebecca, and David!) from Laura-Dancer to John’s prologue.
Today, we’ll contemplate that moment when Gabriel came to Mary.
“Quite possibly,” Martin Luther wrote, “Mary was doing the housework when the angel Gabriel came to her. Angels prefer to come to people as they are fulfilling
their calling and discharging their office.”
Darrell Bock, who has an excellent two volume commentary on Luke (It received book of the year from Christianity Today the year it came out) sheds light through his deep understanding of Greek. He comments on that moment when Gabriel first came and said:
Greetings, O Favored One, the Lord is with you.
“Gabriel only wants to encourage Mary that the Lord will be with her in the events he is about to reveal….Mary is about to receive freely the special favor of God.” Two Greek words in the greeting repeat that thought: She is favored. He is with her. The Greek, Bock explains, is not saying she is deserving, but rather, she is about to be the object of special grace. That is important, not only because it refutes the worship of Mary, but because it is a reminder of how God works, on the basis of His goodness, rather than ours. (That is not to say that Mary was not an exceptionally godly woman — everything we see about her shows that she was.) Also, it is a promise that He will be with her in what is to come, which implies it may be hard.
Again, so like our God.
Mary ponders this greeting.
What is the Lord going to do?
Why will she need him so?
Can you even imagine the moment?
Bock says there is intense curiosity and concern expressed in the Greek word translated “perplexed or troubled.”
Then Gabriel tells her, and amazingly, she believes.
Yet she wonders how this will happen for a virgin.
Gabriel explains:
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High
will overshadow you, therefore the child to be born will be called holy
— the Son of God.”
Gabriel, also, in His mercy, tells her about Elizabeth. Why, do you think? My favorite movie depiction of this is Jesus of Nazareth. Watch this clip.
And this week, keep reviewing and add the passage in green.
(1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(2) He was in the beginning with God.
(3) All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
(4) In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
(5)The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
(6) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
(7) He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light,
that all might believe through him.
(8) He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
12. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
13. who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And yes, on a personal note — thank you so much for praying for my youngest, Annie, who went into labor last Sunday. Steven, named after her dad, arrived at 5:00 that evening. She didn’t have to have petosin. He is already getting lots of love from his sisters. Here he is with Lily Grace. Those of you who were with us that Easter may remember Anne was given the name early in the pregnancy for Lily — and then God surprised us by having her born on Easter Sunday. And now another very special baby — born on another Sunday, the 3rd Sunday of Advent. God gave Anne the name “Steven” early in her pregnancy again. So we knew he would be a boy. Annie said, (“I can hardly believe that I, the youngest, would get to be the one to name a son after Dad!”) When I question God’s love, His being “with us” I remember things like this and repent of my forgetfulness.
What a Christmas for us — a child — a very special child — and I’m headed there! Thank you, my friends for praying, and thank you, my God, for bending down.
Sunday:
1. Was there anything from this familiar account, from the words of Luther or Bock, or the movie clip that arrested you and caused you to ponder. If so, what?
Monday: Work on your memory work and watch this video from Laura-Dancer. Here are Laura’s comments:
Only a few of us are trained dancers in this group, most people have not danced to any extent prior to being in the group. I am very proud of our them! It is their love of Jesus, and the willingness in their hearts to share with others that keeps them going.
This is piece is a labor of love for me! I literally wrote the scripture on our whiteboard last Christmas and meditated on it until September when we danced the piece. My partner added background music and our readers were perfect! God spent the year with me through His Word. Here are a few background stories to the moves.
As I read the bible chronologically, I realized Proverbs 8 sounded like John 1. I Believe God gave me the idea to incorporate Proverbs 8 into the piece. I broached the subject with my partner, she like the idea, and then I thought it would be pretty cool if she choreographed it because she’s more of a modern type dancer than I am. So, we had the New Testament piece choreographed more old-school, and a ballet type of dance, and the Old Testament choreographed with the new school, or more modern type of dance.
The first part. I think I said before, is swirling motion as if the galaxies and the heavens are being formed.
The devil did try to intercede many times; there was a point where we didn’t have any readers, movement wouldn’t come to mind, people couldn’t show up for rehearsals, it was really frustrating at times. My partner and I had to remain focused. I knew this was God-given.
My favorite part is, unfortunately not part of John, but that of proverbs, when the Scripture says, “and I was daily his delight rejoicing before him always rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.” It’s still about Jesus though, which is really cool to me. I want to daily be his delight! I tend to memorize things singsongy and that’s how I memorized that bit; song like.
Lastly, it was really great to dance this piece. I wish we could do it in person sometime!
2. What stood out to you from Laura’s video? Why?
3. Share any new insights that have come to you from memorizing the prologue.
Tuesday: Sometime this week, while baking or cleaning or driving — listen to this free Keller sermon: The Word Made Flesh:
In Luci Shaw’s poem Made Flesh she writes of the enormity of God being in a woman’s womb, using phrases”The Word, stern-sentenced to be nine months dumb” and “Infinity walled in a womb” She parallels His submission to the “crush and cry of birth,” to what we must surrender in order to truly experience His presence. Likewise, there is a little known and sung 2nd verse to O Come All Ye Faithful that sings about Jesus “not despising the virgin’s womb.” Listen to it here:
Another poet, John Donne, said “The whole of Christ’s life was a continual passion; others die martyrs, but Christ was born a martyr. …even in Bethlehem, where he was born…for to his tenderness then the straws were almost as sharp as the thorns after…”
4. What thoughts do you have about the above?
5. Write out this week’s memory verse.
Wednesday
6. Ponder this verse and explain each phrase:
who were born, not of blood
nor of the will of flesh
nor of the will of man
but of God
7. How does the fact that God chose you to be a recipient of His grace make you feel? What
are some specific ways that His Spirit living in you is changing your life?
Christmas Eve: And the Word became Flesh
6. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing…ponder this mystery, & share your thoughts here.
7. Sing just these verses from Hark the Herald Angels privately, and in praise to the Lord, pondering the words as you sing.
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus, our Immanuel
Pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus, our Immanuel
Christmas Day
Today, I pray, will be wonderful for you — but even if there is pain and disappointment, I pray you will remember how He loves you, and that He will do all things well in His time.
I’ll close with this wonderful rendition of Mary Did You Know? I don’t even know if the singers know the Lord, but this certainly had to make them ponder.
Saturday
10. Reflect on your Advent, your Christmas, and share some small or large reasons for gratitude.
91 comments
At a loss for words with what I have read so far! Will comment later. Smile. Lord, thank you for bending down as Dee has said here.
Yes, Bing, I love that phrase — some translations translate Psalm 116:2 that way.
So excited for this week, this year!! I have throughly focused myself on Christ, pondering, like Mary, John the Baptist, through scripture memory work, and God Himself. He came to us, in the flesh, to be with us. Kellers sermon last week was a GEM! I will definitely be listening again. He caught my attention with his analogy of the writer Dorothy L. Sayer because I love mysteries and I used to watch this one played out on PBS years ago. He said that she fell in love with her main character, and wrote herself into the story to be his mate! Since I was familiar with the series, and never knew this about the writing, I was stunned! Then he said God did the same thing when He created the universe, and then came to be with us. He wrote himself into his creation! Wow. That really made an impact on me in the sermon.
1. Was there anything from this familiar account, from the words of Luther or Bock, or the movie clip that arrested you and caused you to ponder. If so, what?
The actress in the movie does a great job being perplexed and troubled. I have not seen this movie before. I have thought about your question of why Gabriel tells Mary about Elizabeth. I think it was an added “insurance policy” for Mary to know that what he was saying was true. Although she didn’t question him, she accepted the news, this information was a confirmation that the events about to happen would go according to his statements.
We too, have a new baby in our house. He is also precious, as baby Steven is. As I write this morning, he is laying on my lap, fully asleep with the most peaceful look on his face. How sweet! It is special to have a little one at this time of year, to help reinforce the baby Jesus in my heart. How God gave his son, his sweet precious baby, to us. He must have really loved us to do that. I can’t imagine giving this sweet boy up, to someone else. I can’t imagine (easily) how Mary must have felt, but she sure seems like one who could “roll with the punches.” I appreciated the link Lizzy posted last week about the conditions in which Jesus was born. The trip to Bethlehem, no room, no bassinet, no nurses, and not knowing their fate. All scary stuff. All alone, except of course she had God. She had faith that He was in charge and she was not. How encouraging for us! When we feel alone, He is with us too. Merry Christmas everyone!
Laura, I can tell from reading your posts these weeks that you have been focusing on Jesus, pondering. And how you have a visual picture right in front of you – baby on your lap – to help reinforce Jesus coming as a baby in your heart!
Laura I love how you are really listening and digging in. And thank you for sharing your video with us. You surely do have a baby — one who has come to dwell right with you! I so love how you have approached this whole journey alongside Sarah.
This quickened me first: Mary isn’t deserving but the object of special Grace.
Glad that none of us are deserving-yet He wants us. Joyous of His unrelenting desire for us that He would make himself vulnerable in Mary’s womb. Grateful for How He woos and draws us to Him. Paul just came to mind. How He chose Paul who was on his way to murder more Christians but on the way Jesus arrested Him with his Holy Light: “suddenly His light flashed around him”-His Holiness brought Paul to his knees.
and how He came to Mary: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you…, therefore the child to be born will be called holy — the Son of God.”
Last but not least..in the same way He quickens us with His presence:God gave Annie Steven’s name early in the pregnancy so she knew he was going to be a boy! I think of how Annie reminds me of Steve when God showed Him Beth in a dream…now God is showing Anne with lily’s name and Steven’s name.
God bent down toward us -wrapped himself in flesh in Mary’s womb so that He could have us. It is always Him bending down toward us even when we doubt He is truly with us..and this should melt us to bend back in response to Him in awe and worship. This is what blows me away: If we bend back toward Him in awe and worship it is because of Him in us.
Oh I wanted to just pop in this morning–but I hesitate to even try to express the BEAUTY in this post. As Bing said, truly–a loss for words. I was eager to get on here and see LAURA–and OH! What JOY–I am just in awe–the talent used to glorify the One, it is honestly just beautiful–I’ve already re-watched and just felt glued to the computer, the moves are so graceful.What stood out most is that they truly pointed to Him–there was no hint of trying to “steal” His glory–it was all for Him and to Him, I really could feel that! Thank you Laura for this gift–I will share this with my family.
Dee–do you know how hard it is to see that precious baby boy and not be able to cuddle him?! Oh my goodness, those soft squishy cheeks!–more JOY. What an incredible Christmas gift for you all–just can’t stop smiling about that one! I loved too what Annie shared: “I can hardly believe that I, the youngest, would get to be the one to name a son after Dad!”–being the youngest of 4, I relate to that–and LOVE how He chose her–this full circle of blessing–bringing Annie home to you, her true family–and now she carries on Steve’s name…wow, that’s a teary eyed story!
We have had a really sweet, peaceful Advent–my obesessive-planner-ness means I’m done with all shopping, etc…by Nov, and we haven’t said “yes” to everything this year–so it feels really slowed down, calm. Even having my youngest home with flu all last week was a blessing of sweet time with just him. These last few days our family devotions (this year the family one we’re using “The Expected One” by Scott James) has been on Christ’s death. My kids asked why we’re talking so much about his suffering and death at Christmas! But how I need the reminders, of Who this Child is–BORN TO DIE, so ALL MAY LIVE–and oh how it has deepened the richness of the story of His birth. Love you all dear blog sisters! ?
Lizzy — what a beautiful post. We ALL always look forward to your posts, your wisdom, your eloquence, your heart.
Dee ~
Well, the photo of your Annie with her baby boy and little girl dissolved me to tears. Through this cyber-bible study, we have come to know your heart, Dee, and so I can imagine how you have been moved and deeply blessed in the birth of this little boy, especially at this time of year and given your husband’s name. I am working at the Ronald McDonald House this weekend and looking out the snowy window this morning, just across the street, is the same hospital our baby Abby was in 37 years ago, when the Lord allowed us to bring her home for the first time on Christmas Eve and keep her for 14 months. So, my heart is especially tender this time of year. Heaven becomes just that much sweeter.
This Francesca Battistelli song entitled Be Born in Me is one that I like to sing and play on my guitar any time of year. But especially now. First part says:
Everything inside me cries for order
Everything inside me wants to hide
Is this shadow of an angel or a warrior?
If God is pleased with me, why am I so terrified?
Someone tell me I am only dreaming
Somehow help me see with Heaven’s eyes
And before my head agrees, my heart is on its knees
Holy is He; blessed am I.
Be born in me, be born in me
Trembling heart, somehow I believe that You chose me
I’ll hold You in the beginning, You will hold me in the end
Every moment in the middle, make my heart Your Bethlehem
Be born in me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsXOP7aQeqQ
oh Nila–I just couldn’t hold back coming on here one more time this week after reading this from you! Picturing you at the Ronald McDonald house, imagining the lump that must be in your throat,your tender heart as you look at Abby’s hospital–and then hearing you say this “Heaven becomes just that much sweeter.” Oh how He has used your pain to refine and cause you to shine of Him. Your tender heart is full of blessing to us~
Nila, may God bless you richly as you bless and minister to families at the Ronald McDonald house…love your heart.
Dearest Nila…..to love Him as you do…..to lift Him up wherever you go and however “hard” your life may be….so MUCH has grown from offering Jesus your pain in losing Abby. To experience and know in every moment of the 14 months that you had Abby in your life that her little life was in a perilous place…..that the possibility of losing her was so very real……and then she slipped from your arms into His in heaven…..I see in you the beautiful shaping that Jesus has been allowed to do. That very LIGHT that we all have been diving into in our memory work in John…..yes, I see that LIGHT in your life. The light that is Jesus.
Oh Nila — you’ve turned your suffering into comforting others. So good.
And I’ve just become aware of this artist and loving what she does. This one: WOW WOW WOW! I HOPE MANY LISTEN.
Bock’s words about this experience of Mary’s makes me think of this young woman, being perplexed or troubled. I cannot imagine the moment. Yet she does not hesitate to reply and to agree that what is asked of her she is willing….There is so much asked of her but she is so submissive.
My tendency would be to check out the risk and wonder what am I able to do.. but nothing is impossible with God. I love this part of the Christmas story.
Thanks for the beautiful picture of Annie and her children. This is a special blessing. Such a reminder of God’s love to us, sending an infant to light our lives.
Thanks, Shirley — yes, she was amazing!
1. Was there anything from this familiar account, from the words of Luther or Bock, or the movie clip that arrested you and caused you to ponder. If so, what?
I liked your question about why the angel told Mary about Elizabeth’s pregnancy. I had never thought of it before. Perhaps if God could make Elizabeth have a baby in her old age revealing it specially to Mary first (there were no phones or reliable postal service in those days); then they might also believe that Mary had indeed had a visit from an angel revealing that Mary would be pregnant by the Holy Spirit. The revelation of Elizabeth’s pregnancy was a sign that the other things the angel had told Mary were true.
I definitely think that was part of it. It was a 70 mile walk — I’ll bet she couldn’t wait to see her and talk to her!
I couldn’t wait but went ahead and watched Laura’s video. So good. I need to watch it again and again to help me ponder John 1. Thank you so much, Laura, and those who helped record it.
relistenening to Kellers sermon, the Word made Flesh. Jesus is our counselor. There is nothing we face, endure, experience that He has not faced, endured, experienced for us. He melds the real and the ideal and makes it possible for us in Him to be more than we are right now. John Donne writing that Christ was born a martyr; even in Bethlehem His tenderness made the straw almost as sharp as the thorns would be later. Luci Shaw’s poem Made Flesh saying the Word, sentenced to nine months of silence, and that He submitted to the crush and cry of birth…. I think all these are reasons why I love this season. The chance to reflect again and anew, and to anticipate His second coming. To revel in it all, and feel more hopeful than any other time of the year. I know it should be the resurrection, but it is here that I feel Him to be as lowly as me, and I take heart that He will lift me up to be like Him.
Just so you know, I couldn’t download the Christ Poem. Sad about that….
Mary — thanks for letting me know about The Christmas Poem. It has disappeared so I substituted something I think is wonderful.
STILL at a loss for words. Everything about your intro, Dee is beautiful. God bending down-He did and does bend down! He did for Mary, for Elizabeth, for Annie and He will…for us. What a God we have! For though in his glorious majesty He could have stayed afar, He chose to come, incarnate Word and revealed His glory in the His only begotten Son. Love the movie clip and the picture of Annie with the children.
“…Angels prefer to come to people as they are fulfilling their calling and discharging their office.” We can have angelic visitations in the mundane faithfulness (thank you, Kara Tippetts) of life.
That was a wonderful book by Kara Tippetts!
1. Was there anything from this familiar account, from the words of Luther or Bock, or the movie clip, that arrested you and caused you to ponder? If so, what?
I also think the actress portraying Mary in the clip does a wonderful job, helping us to envision that moment. I had never considered before that perhaps Mary wasn’t alone in the house, that she was the only one able to see and hear the angel Gabriel. God again breaking His 400 year long silence…first to Zechariah, and now to Mary. I have also pondered John the Baptist from other study questions, like the one about how did John know he wasn’t the Messiah? I imagine that growing up, his parents told him the special story surrounding his birth, the angel appearing to his father, the miracle that his mother conceived, what the Lord revealed to Zechariah when he finally could speak again and he prophesied about Jesus and the role his own son would play in preparing the way for Him.
Luther’s words are interesting…I certainly seem to always be busy doing housework…if that’s the case, there should be angels around every day:)) I so need to remain focused, as there is so much to distract. There’s still cleaning, cooking, laundry; my daughter now has 2-a-day practices for swimming throughout the Christmas break, I still have baking to do. This strikes me, that when He came, most of the world was too busy and preoccupied to notice. He kind of “slipped in” unnoticed. His “audience” was a poor couple, lowly animals, and some shepherds. This makes the memory work, the verses from John’s opening, so much more striking. Jesus, very God, present from the beginning, Creator through whom all things were made, with God and God Himself, came into the world in this way. It’s like picturing gathering up the entire oceans of the world and containing all that water in a thimble.
And Dee, the pictures of Steven…oh…I’m so happy that you’re “headed there” to spend Christmas with Annie and her family. Would like to hear more of how God gave her the name Steven for this baby. Was it during a time of prayer? Safe travels to you, Dee…love to picture you holding baby Steven!
Susan – as always, you have prompted me to think of many of my own unanswered questions from the Scriptures surrounding the birth and life of Jesus! For instance….John 1:33 has always puzzled me a lot! How on earth could John the Baptist say that “I myself did not know him,…”??? When I think about all of the miracles we have been studying last week (John the Baptist’s own miraculous birth!) and this week – the birth of Jesus…..the angels’ appearances to Zechariah, Mary and Joseph……the amazing visit between Mary and Elizabeth and that even in his mother’s womb he leapt when Jesus came into the room!! (And wow, is THAT ever “proof of human life” at the very earliest…..days after conception!….stage!) Well. I have heard it explained that John the Baptist, despite knowing “the stories” from birth, needed, as a prophet of the Lord, to hear it DIRECTLY from God to proclaim Jesus as Messiah. I guess that explanation will have to do until heaven!!! Thank you for your thought provoking entry here! 🙂
Susan — you are such a good ponderer and I’m sure you have a very inviting warm home, filled with smells of good things baking.
As soon as she found out she was pregnant, which was a surprise, she went for a prayer walk and the Lord came to her.
Wow…a prayer walk with the Lord!
1. Was there anything from this familiar account, from the words of Luther or Bock, from the movie clip, that arrested you and caused you to ponder? If so, what?
I was really moved afresh by Mary and HER ponderings. I loved Luther’s thoughts that remind us that, whatever she was doing, it was just an “ordinary” day! It made me smile to remember that, just like Mary, the most significant moments of hearing from God….most often conviction of sin and deep needs for repentance and making amends to others, as well as challenges to step forward in faith for the next steps in following Christ……have happened for me while mucking out horse stalls!! Really, I have no idea why that should be the case…..but it certainly HAS been! I was so moved to feel connected to Mary in that He DOES speak….and there have been precious times in the midst of the ordinary that my ears have been able to hear Him speak words of LIFE into my ordinary!!
It helped me so much as well to see Mary…..stunning news and all!……quick to believe. And yet…..so MANY questions! “How can this be?”. And I noted that precious Mary, most favored among women, shares a kinship of humanity with us…..believing and yet growing in faith at the same time! The passage that we were being taught from yesterday at church was Luke 2:22-38. There we find Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the temple for the Rite of Purification, according to the Law. Jesus would have been 40 days old at that point. Even after the angel Gabriel’s words to both Mary and Joseph…..and Mary’s amazing time with Elizabeth and Elizabeth’s words to her, both Mary and Joseph “marveled at what was said about him.” (Jesus) And when Simeon turned to Mary with words directly to her….oh, my heart. “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” What on earth would a mother make of such sobering revelations…..right upon the heels of the miracle of all miracles that she had just experienced in his conception and birth! In Luke’s 2nd chapter, we next see Jesus at the age of 12 in the temple…..and we find that his parents ” did not understand the saying that he {Jesus} spoke to them”. Just like Mary, God’s favor upon our lives, His incredible call and grace in redeeming us, does not mean that our lives will “make sense” to us always!! But we can rest easy with the big questions in our lives…..for His peace in our hearts is otherworldly indeed!!!
The photo of Stephen with Lily and Annie is the one I had seen on FB right after his birth…..and found to be one of the most moving photos I have ever seen! It stuns me to see all that a simple photograph can convey!! So thrilled for you Dee, to be spending this time with Annie and family. 🙂
And Laura…..everything about your dancing and your words that dance off the page as well…..Christ is working powerfully in your life and we all are so priveleged to see it! Your new grandbaby…….oh, how the Lord is showing us a picture here of His “turned upside down” kind of GRACE!!! Sometimes the things that rock our worlds to the core are the very soil from which His staggering new beginnings and adventures spring. May the adventures of little C all be those of following Jesus all the days of his life!! 🙂
Love how you parallel Mary’s experience with ours.
Was there anything from this familiar account, from the words of Luther or Bock, or the movie clip that arrested you and caused you to ponder. If so, what?
I like that Bock brought out the idea that Mary was favored with special grace, rather than somehow worthy of the honor of bearing Christ. I used to sort of avoid contemplating Mary much. I knew that the Catholic worship of her was wrong, so I left her alone. After suffering that I couldn’t make sense of came to me I thought a lot more about Mary, about how even though she knew from the start that this child was of God, so much of the story must have made no sense at all.
The clip made me think again about how people would have misunderstood, judged her, and thought she was crazy. I have thought many times about how the cruxifixction must have been unbearable and profoundly confusing for her, though she knew, and trusted, she could not have understood.
A friend and I were talking about how we keep imagining that if God is in our plans and blessing them, that we keep imagining that means it will be easy, but the reality is that the stories we see in the bible don’t support that way of thinking.
Mary’s path was really hard, yet she was highly favored, this is helpful to me to remember when circumstances don’t make any sense to me.
A girl gave a testimony yesterday in church, she told of having heard God’s sovereignty compared to a parade. The we see a parade we only see what is right in front of us. Someone who is inside a tall building can see the whole parade, start to finish. It is a matter of perspective. At fist blush I dismissed this as an oversimplifiction, but I do keep thinking about it 🙂
I have missed you all here on the blog, Merry Christmas!
Moved by how Mary’s suffering helped you, Chris.
Chris, it struck me too what you and your friend were contemplating, “that if God is in our plans and blessing them, that we keep imagining that means it will be easy, but the reality is that the stories we see in the bible don’t support that way of thinking.” First, that you have such a dear friend to be able to discuss things like this…and yes, I tend to think along the same lines, meaning that when things are not easy, I think God must be absent or not blessing me. I like your thoughts on Mary, too.
Congratulations to you Dee on the birth of this special grandson! He looks like perfection :)It is a sweet thing for Annie to have been the one to name here son after Steve, it makes me weepy for you all!
For the last couple of weeks, I have been just following silently, because life has just been way too full for me to participate fully. I also am having problems with the videos — I can only access the Youtube videos and none of the others. The screen is just solid black where the video links should be. I haven’t done anything different to my computer, so I have no idea.
Dee, I am simply mesmerized with the photo of Anne with her children — so sweet! You didn’t ask what stood out to us, but I am just offering that it was the family photo.
I have a link I want to share with everyone. I may have shared it during a previous Advent, but I feel it is something that bears repeating. Louis Cassel’s Parable of the Birds is so appropriate when we are focusing on the incarnation of Christ.
http://www.heartsonfire.info/2012/07/11/the-parable-of-the-birds/
1. Was there anything from this familiar account, from the words of Luther or Bock, or the movie clip that arrested you and caused you to ponder. If so, what?
Angels prefer to come to people as they are fulfilling
their calling and discharging their office.”
I find Luther’s words comforting, as it means the Lord (or his messenger angels) may come to me without my having to do anything extraordinary to make that happen. I just need to go ahead with my business and be watchful so I don’t miss the appearance of an angel! I think the Lord does show up at times when I am not expecting Him!
2. What stood out to you from Laura’s video? Why?
You will never know HOW MUCH I would love to view Laura’s video. I have been so interested in her dance ministry. I’m sure it is delightful!
Thank you dear Deanna! I wish I could help you and Cyndi with blog problems — but I cannot seem to — but David might. I’m so sorry!
Laura asked Rebecca to post her video on Facebook so I could see it. I was so delighted! They are sweethearts for doing that!
?
2. I’m not sure if I should comment on my own video, but maybe I have a few things to say…..
Only a few of us are trained dancers in this group, most people have not danced to any extent prior to being in the group. I am very proud of our them! It is their love of Jesus, and the willingness in their hearts to share with others that keeps them going.
This is piece is a labor of love for me! I literally wrote the scripture on our whiteboard last Christmas and meditated on it until September when we danced the piece. My partner added background music and our readers were perfect! God spent the year with me through His Word. Here are a few background stories to the moves.
As I read the bible chronologically, I realized Proverbs 8 sounded like John 1. I Believe God gave me the idea to incorporate Proverbs 8 into the piece. I broached the subject with my partner, she like the idea, and then I thought it would be pretty cool if she choreographed it because she’s more of a modern type dancer than I am. So, we had the New Testament piece choreographed more old-school, and a ballet type of dance, and the Old Testament choreographed with the new school, or more modern type of dance.
The first part. I think I said before, is swirling motion as if the galaxies and the heavens are being formed.
The devil did try to intercede many times; there was a point where we didn’t have any readers, movement wouldn’t come to mind, people couldn’t show up for rehearsals, it was really frustrating at times. My partner and I had to remain focused. I knew this was God-given.
My favorite part is, unfortunately not part of John, but that of proverbs, when the Scripture says, “and I was daily his delight rejoicing before him always rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.” It’s still about Jesus though, which is really cool to me. I want to daily be his delight! I tend to memorize things singsongy and that’s how I memorized that bit; song like.
Lastly, it was really great to dance this piece. I wish we could do it in person sometime! I hope you were blessed by our pIs so.
Laura ~
Thank you for the back story to all of this production. I hear things differently if I can see them too and this is such a beautiful expresson of scripture. Whenever I am in a church that has a signer for the deaf on the stage, I love to watch them sign the songs and the message. It’s a mini-drama bringing the meaning of words into focus.
Grateful to hear how you gals pressed through the discouragement to this beautiful final production.
Thank you, Laura!
Love the background stories!
Laura, I absolutely love your background story. It makes the dance presentation so much more meaningful. Thank you so much. It just adds to the depth of an already wonderful dance!
2. What stood out to you from Laura’s video? Why?
Laura, thank you for the gift of dance and how your performance elevated this art to a profound level. I love the light feeling that all you dancers moved with and for those few minutes, you carried me to the “beginning”. I felt like I was in hallowed ground or should I say cyberspace? “Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place…
3. Share any new insights that have come to you from memorizing the prologue.
Because of what Jesus has done, I am a child of God. Often, I forget whose I am. And who paid the price so I can be born into God’s family. You are altogether lovely and I celebrate you, Jesus. Thank you for dying for me.
Dee–I wish there was a way to move Laura’s comment (#2) above to somehow be a part of the study, I just hope everyone sees it!–everything you shared Laura, about how you meditated, the dancers coming together, those who are not “trained”–it all so added to the beauty for me. Loved hearing the “behind the scenes”–how He works, just beautiful! Thank you again for blessing us~
Lizzy — I’ll do it!
Dee, This is the second time I have done the advent study and I am thankful that you have done it this second time. The memory work penetrated this time as last time I was just trying to memorize. This time, it is familiar, and I can concentrate on what I am saying. Have a blessed Christmas and I thank you for the gift of this devotional.
Thank you so, Becky!
2. What stood out to you from Laura’s video? Why?
I had read Laura’s post and am glad you moved it up above to the study part, Dee. First, I can’t believe they all are not trained dancers! Everyone sure dances like a professional dancer! I had watched it before, but now I picked up on how John’s gospel and Proverbs 8 are interwoven in the reading and dancing and I think it’s beautiful…it seems to give the “background” story about the Word that John describes. How neat that the Lord gave that to you, Laura! The words “Offer your body as a living sacrifice” come to mind…love how you are worshipping Him with movement and expression!
Thank you Susan! These ladies are truly talented because of their faith. They like movememt and enjoy using it to convey the message to our congregation. They are brave and bold! I have been blessed to have so many people want to help us through the years; to want to be part of our ministry.
Thank you Susan! These ladies are truly talented because of their faith. They like movememt and enjoy using it to convey the message to our congregation. They are brave and bold! I have been blessed, at this church. to have so many people want to help us through the years; to want to be part of our ministry.
Laura, thank you for sharing the beautiful dance!
I would love to be present for this, but I am so touched by your words and actions, “to daily be his delight”.
When God’s love surrounds me, I also feel like moving- though I am not a dancer!
Meditating on this scripture brings a wonderful knowledge of God’s grace and mercy.
I want to share a special gift I received last evening when my neighbors, who are Mennonites came to my home to carol.
I am so blessed to have them as neighbors and the young people, about 12, including some children, sang those beautiful songs,
in perfect harmony, O Come All Ye Faithful, joyful and triumphant… It was a surprise and we had invited a friend and his daughter who saw
them for the first time. They ended with O Holy Night, my husband’s favorite!
God is so good. His word inspires joy, music and dance.
thank you Shirley! Good for you; moving in your seat! Anyone can dance, it just takes desire to worship Him. So glad you are feeling the presence of the Lord ?. I also love the story of your neighbor!
4. What thoughts do you have about the above? Using the word “martyr” to describe Jesus is hard for me to do. I looked up many different definitions of the word to try to zero in on why it bothered me……I think the only thing I can say is that Jesus was born so much MORE than a martyr!! Martyrs are people who grow in their belief in a person or cause and eventually are willing to die for that. I couldn’t fit Jesus into any of the definitions I read because His coming was completely unfathomable!! His coming was set in motion before the foundation of the world and was PURPOSEFUL beyond any event in the entire history of the world! That He would lay aside all that He had rightfully in heaven to take on flesh and set His face like flint toward the cross…….redemption has so many facets that we see in the Scriptures – martyr is simply too paltry a word for me! 🙂 Though the word is a staggering word and I tremble to think of all of the martyrs for the sake of Christ down through the ages…from the apostles to the young teenagers in Syria who lost their lives to ISIS because they were not willing to renounce Jesus, saying “We love Yeshua, Yeshua is good to us……”
I do like that the snippets from Donne, Shaw and “O Come All Ye Faithful” all point to the unreal reality that the baby Jesus came to die. In recent years I have been drawing a simple cross outline around the words inside my Christmas cards – particularly to those going to unbelievers. It is just a tiny way for me to encourage others to remember that this baby came, not just to live a good life and be a good example – but to redeem, to buy back, his people on a bloody cross.
Would love you to scan me one of those cards or show us on the Facebook page!
What stood out to you from Laura’s video? Why?
I loved seeing the video, I imagined it helping those who see it to go deeper in understanding of the passage, it was so cool that it correlated to the study 🙂
What stands out to me most though is the spiritual growth that is evident in Laura, she has persevered through difficult circumstances and that she has been transformed by the renewing of her mind is so evident in her posts and her changed perspective.
I love you Laura! it is sweet to see you glorifying the Lord!
Merry Christmas Chris!!! Isn’t Jesus’ love wonderful? He has transformed me through the years; as I learn more of Him, and apply His Word to my life, I change! I am happier and have a better outlook for my life. Life is not easy, but I have Him with me always. Happy birthday Jesus! Thank You for loving me and giving me life!
3. Share any new insights that have come to you from memorizing the prologue.
I was really thinking about this passage this morning.
1 John 4
“11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”
The connection between that passage and this one dawned on me
(7) He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
And then I thought of this:
John 13:35(NIV)
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
I am convicted afresh of how weak I am in this area of loving my fellow believers. I am a selfish, self protecting creature by nature.
I long to glorify God and point others to Him, to evidence His love and light by loving others truly, not in an attempt to steal glory by gaining their approval but a genuine love that holds them in a higher regard than me and God in the highest above all else.
I am grateful that I see my need and I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able.
4. What thoughts do you have about the above?
As I was listening to the second verse of O Come All Ye Faithful, I was struck by the word “begot” and wanted to ponder it. Especially as John 13 talks about the “the right to become children of God, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man but of God.” What sets Jesus apart then? I found an explanation below and it has enlightened me once again of the very Godness of Jesus, my Savior.
The understanding that Jesus is completely unique, yet not a created being, was so important in the early church that it was emphasized in one of the earliest creeds, the Nicene Creed: “I believe…in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.” This statement sought to make clear that Jesus is both eternal and is the one and only Son of God sent to offer salvation to the world.
http://www.compellingtruth.org/only-begotten-son.html
Isn’t that the truth? Laura has grown into such a godly woman and is now helping others to do so!
I was reading just now my book of Christmas devotions compiled by Nancy Guthrie (Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, I rec. it and the Easter one!) In the chapter from Martin Luther, he said: “Well might Mary have said, ‘Who am I, little worm, that I should bear a King?’ She might have doubted, but she shut her eyes and trusted in God who could bring all things to pass, even though common sense were, against it; and because she believed, God did to her as he had said”.
It struck me anew, this great faith, as Laura said. It is incomprehensible for me to even imagine how Mary felt (though I did play Mary in 6th grade!) I try to picture it–and I fear I would be too over whelmed, too fearful, really–too focused on my own inadequacy to receive. I picture the way I responded “no no no!” when my husband asked me to marry him–it just felt like too much to receive, I was not deserving of such a gift…and I multiply that to an un-quantifiable amount. But Mary did not think of herself, and her own weaknesses or frailty. She died to herself, and that death brought Life. She thought ONLY OF GOD. His power, His plan, His will. And without answers to her questions, she stepped forth only in faith. And at that moment, she could not have known if she would have human support–but she did not wait and ask advice or seek others–she believed, in faith, God was with her. He supplied all that she needed to do what He asked of her. To have even a mustard-seed-sized portion of faith like that…amazing what He will do in our lives. And my struggles are invisible in comparison to how God accomplished what He did in the virgin birth. A God who has so demonstrated His love, how can we ever doubt He is not beside us, supplying all that I need to do all that He has entrusted to me…
Praying by name for a blessed Christmas for each of you!~
Lizzy, love what you have drawn out here about Mary and her faith (and I can just see you playing Mary in 6th grade!). Love that she thought only of God instead of being preoccupied with her own weaknesses. There’s a great lesson here for us.
What are my feelings about God’s grace that he chose to bestow on me?
I am so thankful for the grace of God bestowed on me, feeling so unworthy, but so awed. My responsibility to honor him , to be his witness is so enormous.
Yet by walking with him daily and delighting in his presence, I can do all things. To him be all glory and honor and praise.
I will be traveling today and may not be online for that time away. May God bless each of you as you celebrate his coming.
3. Share any new insights that have come to you from memorizing the prologue.
This is hard because when I read a passage so many times, it can become too familiar. Yet I know I can pray and ask God to help me discover more treasures, because His Word is living and active! This morning I am focused on what it means when it says in verse 4, “In Him was LIFE…” I am curious about this word. John doesn’t say that Jesus is or was “alive”, but that IN Him was life. Life is contained in Him. So I looked for the definition of this word “life”, and the Greek word is “zoe” and learned it refers to “the uncreated, eternal life of God; the divine life uniquely possessed by God.” Right away, I am mystified by “uncreated life”…life that just IS and always was. This is certainly different from human life – a body simply being alive. A person can be alive but not have this zoe life. As I read about it further, God wants to give this “zoe” life to all…later in John 10 Jesus says that He has come to give this “zoe” life. God’s character is loving, generous, unselfish because He wants to share this life with us, not keep it to Himself…so I see Jesus coming to earth, bearing the most wonderful gift of all…to give us eternal life, to share with us, to make us partakers of this life…yet the “twist” is that Jesus Himself is this Life so it’s not a thing, it’s a Person we can have a real relationship with!
Susan, I enjoy your ponderings here so much. Thank you for pushing through to get more out of this almost too familiar passage. I love that “Jesus Himself is this Life so it’s not a thing, it’s a Person we can have a real relationship with!”
4. What thoughts do you have about the above?
Listened to the Keller sermon yesterday…so good (I say that about all his sermons!) Although I was born in the 60’s, I had heard of the tragic story of Kitty Genovese. I couldn’t believe that no one even called the police. Her assailant was even bolder after he saw that no one was coming to help and He killed her. And I can’t imagine how Kitty felt, the horror when she realized no one was coming, the despair. This mirrors our enemy. One of our silent bloggers had shared the definition of the word “overcome” in John 1:5, that the darkness tried to aggressively seize, overtake, possess as its own, the Light. Keller said that God heard our cries and He came down. The lights/Light came on and He was coming to rescue, and the enemy tried to prevent Him. I see that in the account of Satan tempting Jesus, that he was trying to possess the Light, control Him to use for his own purposes. I see too how important it is for me to remain in the light, to take my sin into the light, because keeping it a secret in the darkness only enboldens the enemy to attack harder. Keller said that became flesh meant He became “soft, vulnerable, kill-able”. God was “on the table”. He can be our wonderful Counselor because He understands by experience all of our troubles, even death.
The video of O Come All Ye Faithful has me racking my brain because I’m sure I’ve seen that scene from some old Christmas movie…those doors are supposed to be opened by an older gentleman when he hears the children singing!
COULD IT BE THE BISHOP’S WIFE? LORETTA YOUNG AND CARY GRANT — A TALE OF MORALITY WHERE AN ANGEL HELPS PEOPLE WHO ARE GOOD!
Hmmm…I have seen the Bishop’s Wife but I’m not sure! I’ll have to rewatch it! I keep thinking of a story where a teacher is putting on a Christmas play at church with the children, and there’s a gentleman – I think they both care for each other but have had misunderstandings that have kept them apart…the kids go to his home and sing…he comes out, and they take him to the church for the play…
Oh you needn’t bother, Susan. I watched a little of that in my hotel room Christmas Eve and thought maybe — but it probably isn’t!
7. How does the fact that God chose you to be a recipient of His grace make you feel? What
are some specific ways that His Spirit living in you is changing your life?
A. In awe of Him…humbled, grateful, and glad! Amazing Love, how can it be?
B. Specific ways: Giving myself away to others-by nature I am very selfish and can easily run to my comfort idol..Romans 7:18: nothing good dwells in me-I have the desire to do what is right but not the ability to carry it out. I can’t truly sacrificially love like Him without Him living in me empowering me! A recent example is when i was asked to host our family Christmas. I was focused on preparations feeling overwhelmed wondering how I could do it..but Jesus was prompting me inside to Love..This is His divine assignment for me to just Love those who will come. Another example: Me blowing it with my boys a few days ago-deeply caring about how I hurt them with my tongue-oh…His conviction leading me to repentance and confession and asking my boys for forgiveness-IT IS ALL HIM. Another specific way: He is empowering and enabling me to set a boundary-with Gossip- yet still love a gal at work. I can’t mention the situation but it is amazing what He is doing. Another: He is helping me to rest more in His Love and approval so my confidence and identity is in Him I don’t crave other’s approval hardly at all anymore. He has set me free! :)) Lastly: My oldest is still having intermittent gross hematuria in his urine..(since October 9th) His Nephrologist thinks it could be either MPGN-a type of Kidney disease, or a post infectious thing which will resolve on its own-but they are waiting until the end of January and as of late she is leaning toward kidney disease..He is also losing weight-lack of appetite for some reason. While I am concerned about him I can’t explain the peace and comfort I have inside during this waiting period trusting He is in control regardless-I pray we would press into Him and not back away.
Also-I have to add this..I have noticed He is growing in me an awe for Him..just a desire to worship Him more-in awe of Him in Scripture, creation, in observing others..
Rebecca, first of all, I love your examples of how the Holy Spirit is changing you. I was reading 1 John yesterday and again and again, John stresses how if we love God we also love our brother. You are setting a good example here.
Secondly, I am saddened to hear that your oldest continues to have kidney problems and may have kidney disease. It is scary that he is losing weight and appetite. I am so glad God is giving you peace and comfort in the midst of it. I will keep him in my prayers.
Wonderful giant steps, Rebecca — inspiring us all.
Thank you Rebecca for this posting! Thank you for reminding me to focus on Him and to not let my mouth take over ?. I will be praying for your son. God is in charge, as you say, and you have that peace that surrounds you too. Thank you Jesus.
Just thinking about Mary’s response to His Grace in Luke 1: 46-48 ““My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.”
Also thinking about how Gabriel encouraged her with Elizabeth..so like God to encourage and comfort us through one another when He takes us into a hard valley. Luke 1:39-45 “39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
2. What stood out to you from Laura’s video? Why?
Since Laura and Rebecca were so thoughtful and kind to post the Laura’s video on Facebook for me, now I can respond to this question.
First of all, I want to comment that all of the liturgical dances I have witnessed before this one were solo dancers. This was the first time to view a team dancing, and I found it to be much more impactful (not sure that is a word, but you know what i mean!) When I see the whole team lifting their arms in spiritual uplift, it takes me higher with them!
Secondly, it was wonderful to have the readers reading the Scripture as they danced. I was saying it with them as I sat here at my computer. It gave me a feeling akin to goosebumps! I’m so glad this video was included in our lesson for this week!
Thanks for these comments Deanna! I’m so glad you got to see it finally. It is such a special piece to me! I am hoping we can dance it for a local retirement facility soon. I think they will be blessed ?.
3. Share any new insights that have come to you from memorizing the prologue.
I memorized this passage last year, but didn’t keep up with it during the year. I am amazed that it is only slightly easier this year. I think I am about to get it with only a couple of boo-boos.
Verse 13 sunk in far better this year.
who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
This verse makes it so clear that we are saved, not by anything that we do, but totally due to God’s will and action. Perhaps this isn’t so much a new insight, but one that has sunk in deeper.
(I can tell I am having problems with bolding and color of text, etc. I can’t seem to get out of it. Sorry!)
4. What thoughts do you have about the above?
I listened to “O Come All Ye Faithful.” The line about “not despising the womb” seemed a bit odd to me. It hadn’t occurred to me that he would have despised the womb. I have always heard that babies are very comfortable in the womb, where they are cushioned from all the bumps and jars of life, and that they cry when they are born because of the insult of being shoved out of the womb.
That was my first response too — and then I thought about how this baby was in paradise enjoying fellowship and glory. Yet the mystery is when He emptied Himself, how does that factor in? For it is true Carols are not the Word of God.
This was the second time I heard Keller’s sermon. It definitely was worth repeating. I found my notes from the previous time and followed them as I listened to Keller. I was a bit bewildered, as I seemed to have left a LOT out of my notes. I can’t recall what the situations was — perhaps I worked too hard at cutting my notes back before posting. All in all, I felt blessed by revisiting this sermon. School teachers plan on having to review each fall, because over the summer their students have lost some of what they have learned. So review and repetition is good!
Merry Christmas to each of you — you each are dear to me.
Merry Christmas too you Dee, we are all so undeniably incredibly blessed by you and your ministry! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
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Merry Christmas, Dee! You are so giving and faithful in ministering the Word (both Scripture and Jesus) to each of us. May your next year be blessed by God!
And Merry Christmas to each one to follows along here. Each of you are valuable and loved here!
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MERRY CHRISTMAS to all! Everyone – may your day be filled with so many blessings and gifts from the Father above – family, friends, food, and yes, even gifts, because when we give, we are like Him who first gave to us!
4. What thoughts do you have about the above?
I have been thinking about these phrases for a few days. I find them a bit disturbing because of the words….
“The Word, stern-sentenced to be nine months dumb” and “Infinity walled in a womb” She parallels His submission to the “crush and cry of birth,…”
It’s as if He was not happy in the womb. I suppose being in the womb He had to wait to teach His Word? He wanted (perhaps) to “get to work” but had to wait; this flesh thing was getting in His way of progress. Nine months is a loonnnngggg time, trust me, I just went through it with Sarah. He might have been anxious? He had human feelings, not just flesh, right? The last phrase strikes me too; the pain and cry of childbirth is strong. Was it the cry of death? His birth/death cry submitting to His fathers’ will? Strange thoughts on these phrases. I have never thought of it this way before.
6. Ponder this verse and explain each phrase:
who were born, not of blood
nor of the will of flesh
nor of the will of man
but of God
The first three lines perhaps refer to being born of a human? Those the scripture refers to (those who received Him) are born of God; they are born again.
7. How does the fact that God chose you to be a recipient of His grace make you feel? What
are some specific ways that His Spirit living in you is changing your life?
Since He chose me I have an obligation to Him. I remember to behave as He would. Life is more peaceful when I am in tune with Him. I want to please Him.
I am learning to listen more. I am not so judgmental. I realize we all have stuff we are dealing with in our families. I try to ask more questions and talk less about myself.
Hugs to you, Laura. You do make me smile! It is such a God-thing how you are changing. Praying for you as you deal with your stuff! And Merry Christmas to you and your family.
7. How does the fact that God chose you to be a recipient of His grace make you feel?
This is probably going to sound very strange, but it makes me feel like the young man in this video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx3SkqS4jY4. This is the video Dee shared with us last Christmas, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. I have been watching it many times throughout Advent this year, and I can’t get through it without crying. I “feel” his sadness when his brother, who is in the army, goes off to war. I feel his sadness, dejection, and despondency as he stands outside his door, and all the wrongs that he’s seen flash through his mind. Jesus was called a Man of Sorrows. I believe to be a recipient of His grace makes me more observant, more aware, more sensitive to the hurts, sorrows, and pain present in this world. Of course, I can still choose to be self-centered and ignore the pain I see, but when I am in step with His Spirit, I am going to feel it, I will notice it. When I see families in pain from divorce, death, addictions, alcoholism…even in my own extended family these things have been there…I see a sister turning to alcohol to numb her pain, dissension, god-lessness – lives being lived with no thought or care or interest in God, and I am SAD and it hurts and I see how far we’ve fallen from what God intended for us, wants for us. But I can and do take my sorrow to Him. I cannot fix it. The young man in the video couldn’t fix the homeless girl’s homelessness, but he did give her his coat. He couldn’t fix the evil in the hearts of those who steal, but he can comfort the victim. He can’t fix or end the conflict that sent his brother to fight in another country, probably the Middle East, but he can send a letter and a picture drawn by a child to let him know he is not forgotten.
Being a recipient of His grace means that I can ask Him to change me and my heart, because in my selfishness I want to turn away and pout and sulk when others don’t behave the way I want them to, think they should; when I don’t have my way…can I still show love to my sister’s husband who keeps the basketball game on the whole time Christmas Day, to a husband who doesn’t believe what I believe? I have seen firsthand the fallout that comes from hatred and jealousy and thanks be to God I am able to recognize it when it rears its ugly head in my own heart and I have the desire to be on the side of love because left to myself, I would not choose love.
What are some specific ways that His Spirit living in you is changing your life?
I am one who has a very hard time seeing His work in me. I see a lot of what is wrong in my thinking, attitudes, and behavior. I don’t know if it’s proper to pray or talk directly to the Spirit, but sometimes I do because I desperately want His help.
Susan – as a new week’s study is about to launch, I’m not sure you will even see this….but I felt compelled to add my “amen” to Dee’s response to you! “a long obedience in the same direction” is a lovely thing to behold and spotlights the “perseverance of the saints” that I see so clearly in you. 🙂 The tougher life gets, the more this perseverance – a GIFT of the grace of God! – shows up. I know that even the fellowship of the saints at your church has been so disappointing to you at times….which saddens me so much. But you just keep on keeping on – praise God!!
Susan I was thinking yesterday of how many women married to unbelievers drop out of church or are sporadic in fellowship — you remind me of Eugene’s Peterson’s title: “a long obedience in the same direction.”
8. How has the Lord been “Immanuel” to you this Advent?
Having a baby in our house has really made me think of our Lord and his birth. I feel his presence through this precious life in our midst.