Our Christmas hearts

Enjoy this last illustrated expression of what Jesus wants to hear from our hearts this Christmas and all through the year! 

(Via email, click on the post title to see and/or print this illustration.)

Merry Christmas Jesus

When we don't make room

After reflecting on all of those who made room for Jesus during His days walking on earth, there have been those who have emerged who did NOT make room. They beg not to be ignored. They beg to warn and teach us. They chose not to change their hearts and lives to accommodate the Christ, and instead, they were left with loss. 

Except for their dress and language, they fit into our world today. People like:

• The leaders of Jesus' hometown synagogue who wouldn't believe the Messianic claims of "Joseph's son" and, instead, drove Him out with wrath (Luke 4:16-30).
• The pharisees who were "filled with fury" when Jesus healed a withered hand on the Sabbath; they had no insight, only accusation (Luke 6:6-11).
• The Innkeeper whose words we never hear, but who must've reported there was simply no place for them in "the Inn" where travelers found shelter, but Jesus found no place to lay His head (Luke 9:58). 
• The betrayer Judas, from the intimate group of followers, whose heart longed for greed over God. He chose a pittance of silver instead of the Savior (Luke 22:3-6).
• The ruler Herod who sat on the earthly throne, treating Jesus with contempt and using his power to find him guilty, sending him back to Pilate. Once curious about the Messiah, He showed contempt instead of compassion (Luke 23:8-15).
• The urgent and demanding crowds who cried out for Jesus to be crucified. Caught up with emotion, they opted for the chance to satisfy their lust for violence, rather than their need for restoration (Luke 23: 23, 27, 48). 

Their choices were born out of hearts so filled with their own desires and their own idols that they didn't want to make room for Jesus. The same Jesus once proclaimed by a multitude of heavenly hosts, worshiped by awestruck shepherds, sought by oriental kings, and awaited by the godly. Ultimately, some chose not to prepare room for the Savior, and they bought only LOSS. Loss of understanding, nearness to Jesus, the truth, eternal life, justice, mercy, fellowship, and so much more. 

There are others tucked in between the pages of Christ's story, and their are others tucked in between the pages of our stories. Oh, that we when we have moments of decision we would choose to make room!

In the end ... Jesus gets the best room!

visualbiblealive.com

If Jesus' life began with an innkeeper that turned away the Son of God as Mary was in labor, His human life ended with a man who gave Jesus the best room he had.

Joseph of Arimathea was a "good and righteous" man. He also happened to be a part of he Jewish council, but he hadn't agreed with the majority who decided to accuse and crucify the Son of God. In fact, when Jesus breathed His last breath and yielded His life for those who had no room for Him, the man from Arimathea "went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid" (Luke 23:50-53).

What makes someone give his "best room," (Matt. 27:60), his "own tomb,"  to a man more despised than Barabbas? Joseph "was looking for the kingdom of God" (Lk. 23:51).

He walked with God. He was willing to stand alone for God's Son. He watched for the kingdom of God. He wanted to serve God. 

Without thinking of himself or putting his own future first, Joseph gave Jesus the best room.

Jesus gets the best room! 

Is Jesus getting the best room in your life this Christmas?

Below is a gift for you today as we approach the celebration of Jesus making room for us in eternity .... click on the illustrated visual to print this reminder. Via email, be sure to click on the post title to get your reminder.

Jesus Gets the Best Room

The more we have, the harder it is

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The more we have, the more we have to let go of to make room for Jesus. A centurion was an officer in the Roman army, over a hundred men. In the story of God coming to earth as a man, the Centurion who supervised the Messiah's death wasn't the first to face the choice to make room; there was also the Centurion who made Jesus marvel. But the centurion at Calvary was caught up in a very different day in the life of Christ. Did he tell his men they had permission to cast lots for Jesus' clothing? Did he order the making of the sign at the top of the cross? Did he add his voice to the mocking jeers? Did he count as Jesus was lashed? Did he oversee the hammering of the nails? He helped put the Son of God to death. 


Just after three o'clock in the afternoon, when the whole land was cloaked in darkness, the high and heavy curtain separating men from the Holy of Holies in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The physical obstacle to know the Almighty was removed, and Jesus declared out lout that His work was finished. This was the day Simeon had foretold, as he stood in the temple with the young parents holding their baby son, the day that would pierce Mary's heart. The earth shook in response to the unfolding battle on the hill, and the Centurion watched. 


As the veil was torn in the temple, the veil of unbelief was removed from the Officer's heart. He moved his power and prestige out of the way of his faith, and he believed. Having heard Jesus speak to the criminals, having watched the divine darkness wrap around them, having heard Christ pray to His Father, and finally having watched the Son give up his life .... he made room in his heart to BELIEVE.

Despite the fact that his soldiers would've been with and around him, he declared, "Certainly this man was innocent!" (Luke 23:47) and “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Matt. 27:54).

He saw Jesus. He praised God for what he witnessed. He believed. 

If you're like me, you probably have a lot left to do before our Christmas celebrations this weekend. Food to prepare, gifts to wrap (and buy), events to attend, cleaning to do. The temptation builds to get our work done and ignore taking time to make room to see Jesus, praise God for who He is, and strengthen our belief. We can read Advent stories and watch Christmas programs of the amazing events of Christmas, without making room to see them anew, praise God for them, and affirm our belief; we can rush past the point of Jesus coming. If we give in to the temptation, we'll find ourselves on December 26th feeling rather empty, disappointed, and even blue. We will have missed the joy that comes from pushing aside a "hundred" things to make room for the Son of God who came for us. 

Today let's make room to see Jesus, praise God, and believe.

Marriage Mondays: Bearing Your Cross

Somewhere between being sixteen and the first year of having a "real job," most women in my country are faced with the fact that life is a lot of work. We realize that life is not at all like Pride and Prejudice. How we come to terms with that reality goes a long way in deciding what life will be like. Will we smile at the future and face our days with hope? Or will we growl at each new challenge and grow old with a furrowed brow? Life is work, and it's part of the cross we bear if we are women who follow Christ.

For some wives, marriage is a cross they bear. How we come to terms with the work marriage takes goes a long way in deciding what our life will be like.

If you look at the Christmas story as all of Jesus' life, you'll find a cross bearer, and it wasn't Jesus. Like a lot of us, Simon of Cyrene was minding his own business and probably excited about his prospects, as he was "coming in from the country" into the big city of Jerusalem at the time of the Passover and Sabbath. He wasn't expecting to have to carry a cross.

As Immanuel, God with us, was led away through the streets, the soldiers seized Simon and  "placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus" (The whole story is here from Luke 23:26-32). Suddenly carrying the heavy load of a cross, the symbol of judgment, country Simon found himself thrust in line with the bruised Jesus, 2 criminals, and a riotous crowd of angry people pressing in at him. Did he feel like it was unfair? A shock? No one told him a trip to the big city might include this.

None of us enters marriage or making a home expecting to be seized by life's hardest circumstances and made to carry a cross. It seems unfair, a shock ... no one tells you that a trip through marriage might include this. But Simon wasn't carrying his own cross; he was carrying Jesus' cross. Our Immanuel, who became flesh to be the Savior of the world, asks us to do the same.  Carry HIS cross, daily, even in marriage and home making. 

"... The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.” And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it." (Luke 9:22-24)

Are you dragging around your own cross, or are you carrying His?  By now we all know that we aren't starring in a modern version of Pride and Prejudice, and we're making the decision of whether or not we'll deny ourselves TODAY and take up HIS cross and follow HIM. It's the way to save our marriages and our homes and our selves. 

Let's make room for Jesus this Christmas by setting aside our own hang ups that we're so used to  dragging around. That means we don't just keep talking and whining about our problems, never seeking the help, wisdom, and control of the Son of Man. It means we see our work as a way to serve Jesus and give glory to Him. If we get rid of the cross we heave up on ourselves each day, we'll have room for His. 

Is your guest room open?

Even while Jesus was eating His first earthly meal at Mary's breast, a more significant meal was being prepared. The infant would grow to be a boy; the boy would grow to manhood, and the man would send two of His disciples to literally "Prepare Him Room." A room to celebrate the Passover meal with his followers. A meal to prepare for His arrest and trial and death and resurrection. He came for this meal. 


The story in Luke 22 recalls the account for us, how Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us" (Lk. 22:8). It had to be at a house within the walls of Jerusalem, and the two men would know the place by finding a servant carrying a jar of water - uncommon, as it was usually a woman's job. They were to follow the man and tell his Master that the Teacher needed a room to celebrate Passover. As heard the simple question, "Where is the guest room?" the Master of the house would have a choice whether or not to allow his large, furnished, upper room to be used for the lightning rod Teacher from Nazareth and his followers. We don't know if it was prearranged or divinely moved, but the Master made room for Jesus. 


From the first night when his parents asked the innkeeper to make room, to the final Passover meal when the Master of the house was asked to make room, Jesus sought those willing to Prepare Him Room. Hear Him now as His Word still speaks His invitation to us: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me" (Rev. 3:20). 

Jesus still knocks and ask if there's room, but He knocks at the door of individual hearts. Is there something in the place of Jesus that keeps you from welcoming His presence in your life? There may be other things in the way that need to be moved, but the truth is that there IS room for Jesus. 

The Master of the household made room, and Jesus came in to dine. We can make room and invite Him in too. 

Yesterday I gave you an illustrated reminder to Come, Sit, Make Room. Today I want to give you another printable, visual message to display that speaks the truth: "There is room for Jesus"   Print, share, and make room! I hope you'll be encouraged as you prepare your heart for celebrating the coming of Immanuel. (Via email, be sure to click the post title to see & download the illustration.)

There is Room for Jesus

Come. Sit. Make Room.

During Jesus' time on earth, He often visited the home of friends in the town of Bethany. It's I want to say that Martha gets a bad rap, that she's misunderstood ... probably because I'm such a Martha. Jesus spent time in "her house," so it's not hard to see why the girl was busy. If I would've been living in 1st century Bethany, I'm sure Martha and I would've shared pins on Pinterest and helped each other with monthly freezer meals and door decor. After all, Jesus was a frequent visitor, and a homemaker's got to be prepared!


But still, Jesus said Martha's younger sister Mary chose, "the good portion, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:38-42).  Then, as now, there was always tasks to finish, shopping to do, recipes to perfect, and guests to serve, but Mary sat down at the feet of Jesus and listened to Him. 

• Mary's heart was captivated by Jesus. 
• Martha was "distracted with much serving;" her heart was captivated by busyness. 

It's not easy to Prepare Him Room at one of the busiest times of year. If we try, the Enemy whispers to us about all that's to be done, all we didn't do, all the other things that wait to be attended to. But making room for Jesus is the "good portion, which will not be taken away" from us. 

As a help for you this weekend, while you're fighting the urgent, juggling the demands, and deciding what to prioritize, I want to give you a beautiful reminder of the invitation Jesus gives us every day. Even at Christmas. Especially at Christmas. 

Come. Sit. Make room. 

If you receive this post via email, be sure to click the post title and come to the main blog where you can see the illustration. I invite you to print it out, hang it in plain sight, and be reminded to make room. Maybe a friend in your life would be encouraged to receive a copy, along with "permission" to come, sit, and make room for Immanuel. And if you like it, share it on Pinterest. ;) I'm pretty sure Martha won't. 

Come Sit Make Room ~ Christmas Inspiration

Can you let go of your "wee"?

He may not be your traditional "Christmas story" character, but he moved something we all relate to so he could make room for Jesus. Zacchaeus left his insecurity on the ground when he climbed up to see Jesus.

visualbiblealive.com

We all have insecurities. And if Zacchaeus wasn't insecure before that fateful day in the Sycamore tree, he would be after discovering that centuries of people have been singing that "a wee little man was he"!!! Despite his wealth, acquired at the expense of others, this "small of stature" man would've spent a lifetime hearing the jests of taller boys and then men who got a laugh from their peers, using Zacheus as an expendable target. He must've been tired of it, and despite his attempts to take it well, it must've worn on him inside. Can you relate?


And if the years of mocking weren't enough, the fact that he was smart invited more disdain, magnified by getting the position of chief tax collector. It would've been one place Zacchaeus got to be the powerful one, and he probably couldn't help making the most of it in the midst of the tall jesters ... thus, he gathered his wealth. Mocked and despised, the last thing he would've wanted to do would be to climb up high where a whole crowd to take a shot at him. But Jesus ...

Jesus was passing by, and the loner tax collector wanted to see who He was; money couldn't buy a ticket for that front row seat. The wee little man set aside his insecurities so he could see Jesus, and he did. In fact, Jesus paused under his perch to speak to him ... not mocking, and the Teacher ended up at Zacchaeus' house. But you know that if you've sung the song about the wee little man.

Zacchaeus had his heart changed that day as he embraced the true Messiah and Jesus embraced the man's faith. "Today salvation has come to this house," (Lk. 19-10) Jesus said. He may've been small of statue, but he was big of faith, and that's what mattered to Jesus.  That's why He came.

What keeps you from getting where you need to be to see Jesus? Old messages spoken by a relative? Suggestions from a high school classmate? An unaccepting glance from a co-worker? The whispering of the Enemy who knows where you feel "wee"?  If we're to make room for Jesus in our hearts and lives, we have to leave our insecurities behind, daily, over and over, and confidently climb to where we need to be to see Jesus.  Then, when we see who He is .... invite Him in. 

• What insecurities are keeping you from getting to Jesus this Christmas? 
• Will you leave them on the ground?
• Are you worried about what others will say, or are you just wanting to know what Jesus says?

I'm a guest! Come visit with me.

Visiting around is one of the fun parts of the holiday season. I was a "guest" at a friend's blog home Tuesday, and I'm with other friends today at our gathering place where we blog together. Tuesday I shared about one of our favorite family Christmas traditions at "Sharing the Journey" with Chelsey. Find out what kicks off our Christmas season. Today I'm at Scripture Dig as part of our Advent series about why Jesus came.This was a post I really enjoyed writing!

Here's a taste of each ...

Christmas is a season of songs. In Luke 1 we read young Mary’s song of praise. The angelic host broke out into singing in Luke 2, and after leaving the stable the Shepherds burst into a chorus of glory in Luke 2:20. It’s too full and too rich not to have a “background track” playing a stirring score behind the celebration of Christmas. What song do you hear? For our family, a song ushers in the beginning of Christmas. Like so many of our most favorite and familiar traditions, we didn’t really choose it, discuss it, or decide on it. It just happened. In our case, my husband’s family found themselves playing “the song” yearly, until they all knew the lyrics and chimed in together, as if it’s automatic and they can’t stop … until they all dissolve into laughter. Read the rest here ...

And at Scripture Dig ...

www.theblaze.com

"The news from 2011 will reflect a wave of uprisings washing across Europe and the Middle East, crashing onto cities like London, Jerusalem, Cairo, and Athens. With an election year in the United States, voices of discontent call out and seek a champion for change. The port of Oakland, California was shut down Monday, Dec. 12 due to protests related to the Occupy Wall St/Oakland/Portland/... Movement. Mankind has always sought rulers to lead well, measuring success in peace, prosperity, and power. As Israel awaited her prophesied Messiah's coming, it was no different. They looked for a king to break the bondage of Rome and restore the glory days of earthly man-kings like Solomon and David. They weren't looking for a Jesus."                                          Read the rest here ...

Are you desperate enough?

To be desperate means you feel urgency with little to no hope. When was the last time you felt desperate? 

visualbiblealive.com

When God's only Son Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James and John, "a great crowd met him," (Lk. 9:37), but in the mass of people a desperate man found a way to be heard and "cried out, 'Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child'" (v. 38). Desperation pushed past the crowd right to Jesus. 


The man's only son was being constantly plagued by a demon, causing the boy to be gripped with convulsing, screaming, and foaming at that mouth. The desperate dad said of his son that the demon "shatters him, and will hardly leave him" (v.39).  The father knew the cause of the pain, and he could see the impact, but he was powerless to change it. Life often includes struggles we feel, with causes we know, but are powerless to change. 


Before he became desperate enough to cry out to Jesus, the man had appealed to the disciples, and they failed to heal the boy. It's in our nature to turn to our earthly options to try and solve our problems, but when we get desperate enough, we cry out to Jesus.

The suffering son was brought to Jesus who, "healed the boy, and gave him back to his father" (v.42). The watching crowd couldn't help but be amazed "at the majesty of God" (v.43). 

Christmas time is notorious for stirring up suffering, disappointment, and even depression, hidden behind tinsel and living Christmas trees and martini glasses. Norman Rockwell and Hallmark Channel and songs about coming home for Christmas distract us, but the window panes of real life are not only frosted; they're dirty.

As our disappointments take hold, may we make room in the crowd of "holiday stuff" to cry out to Jesus for healing and help and hope.  Making room for Jesus reveals the majesty of God!

~ Are you desperate enough to make room to cry out to Jesus? (Luke 9:37-43)

Do you love this much?

Last night I had the pleasure of bringing the ladies of Serenity Shelter to our church to share in our Christmas concert and then stay for a fun time of fellowship with our Serenity team. Some of the ladies have only been at the Shelter a short time, but I've been building relationships with others for a long time. Some of them fit the description of a woman once faced with the chance to make room for Jesus in her life. Any of us could fit the description of the city woman "who was a sinner," but I really want to do what she did when faced with Jesus.

Jesus received the invitation to dine with a pharisee at his table, in his house. Despite the fact that the "woman of the city" must've known how she would be looked upon by the host, the chance to be with Jesus overpowered any shame or shyness she felt. She took an alabaster flask, and she boldly went in to find the Messiah. Weeping with gratitude and awe, she knelt at his feet and washed them with her tears, anointing them with the ointment. Those who see themselves as they are and see Jesus as He is can't help but end up at the feet of the Savior.


How unlike the religious man who made the dinner invitation, a man who didn't even provide water to wash the Master's feet from walking with the crowds on the dirty roads. The woman's act of love was an outward expression of her inward repentance. Like the words used for the faith-filled centurion, Jesus told the the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace" (Luke 7:50). Her faith was her salvation. 

True faith IS bold. 

Faith is not reserved for the holy, but for the humble. The others around the table had a hard time understanding it, thinking the woman was unworthy to be touched and wondering who Jesus was to grant forgiveness of sins. But for the city woman, Jesus said, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little" (Luke 7:47). 

 The more clearly we see our sin, the more clearly we see our forgiveness.  The more clearly we see our forgiveness, the more we love. The love of one forgiven much is a beautiful thing.

Let's prepare room for Jesus today by getting our hearts ready to pour out our treasures in love & gratitude for being forgiven much.  (Read the whole story of the woman of the city here.)

Ways to prepare Him room in your heart:
~ the holiday season is busy; take time to read God's Word & memorize a verse about His forgiveness
~ the holiday season is hectic; carve out quiet to talk to God & listen to Him, uninterrupted
~ the holiday season is noisy; listen to music about the birth of Jesus & be in awe!
~ the holiday season is demanding; ask God what He wants you to do for Him
~ the holiday season is expensive; list your valuables, & look for a way to give out of love

Does Jesus marvel at you?

If I'm a lot like yesterday's common characters, at first glance I'm not at all like today's.  But after a closer look ... I really want to be like him. 

The centurion of Luke 7 (parallel in Matt 8 ~ see both passages here) was a Roman officer over hundreds of men.  He was a man of power, endowed with authority and confidence. Some days I feel like my dog won't even listen to me. :/ 


This officer also had a love for the people of Israel and had even been part of helping to build the synagogue in his hometown of Capernaum. The Jewish elders there had respect for him, even though he was a Gentile. Though he was "at the top," the centurion had a servant he highly valued, and his treasured servant became so ill he was near death. 

Having heard of miracles like the casting out of a demon in the synagogue he helped to build, the Roman official turned to Jesus for help, sending the elders to beg for help on his behalf. Before Jesus could even reach the centurion's house, the officer declared he was not worthy for Jesus to come into his home, believing the power of Jesus was great enough to heal from a distance. As a man of authority, the centurion recognized Jesus' ultimate authority and put faith in Him to heal. 

It was as if the Roman was saying to the Jewish Messiah, "I know the power of authority, and I believe you can do great things through your ultimate authority."  The centurion humbly set aside his own authority and placed his faith in the power of the Son of God. 

Though the Roman was a Gentile, Jesus "marveled" at the man's great faith.  While many Jews failed to believe in Him or recognize His power, the centurion knew Jesus was greater than any one he knew and any one he would ever be. By making room for Jesus, the officer found healing for his valued servant and his own heart. He set aside his pride, his self-confidence, and his authority to put his faith in the all powerful Jesus.  

By moving his own power out of the way, he made room for Jesus.  And Jesus MARVELED at him.

Yes, I want to be like the centurion who made room. 

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Cor. 12:9

Have you made the move? & a Giveaway

They were common like I am. Andrew and Simon had been following for a while, but they were still keeping up with the family business they ran with their partners, James and John. On a day when crowds were trying to get near Jesus at the Sea of Galilee, the band of fishermen had just finished up a wasted day of fishing and were washing their nets when Jesus got into Simon's boat.

Jesus wanted Simon to push out from shore a little, so He could get a little space to teach the suffocating crowd. But Jesus also wanted a chance to show the brothers His authority and power. Directing Simon to cast the empty nets in again, Simon and the others were "astonished" at the overwhelming catch of fish that rewarded them after a long day of nothing.  Standing in a boat load of fish, Simon could do nothing else but fall to his knees and humble himself before the power of Jesus, much like the shepherds had done when Jesus first took on the form of a man.

• First Jesus asked Simon to put out and let Him use the boat. He wanted Simon to be willing. (Luke 4:3)
• Then Jesus asked Simon to put out his nets to get fish. He wanted Simon to be trusting. (vv. 4-5)
• Then Jesus asked Simon to leave it all behind and follow Him. He wanted Simon be committed. (vv. 10-11)
• (Read the story here)

And so the common man did. He left the familiar, the secure family business, and even his father. He moved from common to committed. He had been following, but Jesus called for whole-life following! (Also read Matt. 4:18-22 and John 1:35-42)

Common people who release the familiar know Jesus in ways only possible for those who make room. 

What could Jesus be asking you to leave on the beach, so you can move from common to 
 committed? 

Giveaway: A friend blessed me with a copy of Sarah's Young's Jesus Calling  to give away. It would be a great read the week between Christmas & New Year's or a loving way to stuff a stocking. To win enter 1-4 ways: just leave a comment and let me know one way you are making room for Jesus this Christmas season. OR share this post on Facebook, Twitter, or like the CHP Facebook page. Leave a comment letting me know if you have any/all of those multiple entries. I will post the winner on Monday, and I'll do my best to get it to you in time for Christmas! :)

My WHOLE identity?

I'm having a hard time getting any Christmas celebration going at my house. Yesterday's brief shower of big, white snowflakes helped motivate me, but so far any sign of Christmas is limited to red plastic tubs in our dining room. A new neighbor moved in several weeks ago, and I have yet to go meet them, letting things like darkness, rain, and schedules keep me from them. I'll admit a little guilt is starting to creep in ... 


My preparations to celebrate Jesus' birth may not be evident in decor, but there's something going on inside ... not "inside" the house, but inside me. As I reflect on those who made room for Jesus, I'm so challenged. Honestly, today's character leaves me feeling like, "I'm so glad I wasn't him."  And then I feel ashamed for realizing I just had that thought. Everything about who he was made room for Jesus.

John the Baptist born

His life was "because of the tender mercy of our God" (Lk. 1:78). Though his birth was a miraculous gift to Zechariah and Elizabeth, it was never about their son. He grew strong in spirit and then, as soon as he was grown, spent his life in the wilderness where bugs and honey were on his menu. His slightly younger relative, Jesus, however, grew strong and was filled with wisdom, having the favor of God on Him to ultimately reign over all things. The first came as the flashing neon sign pointing to the next. 

Preparing the way

His whole identity was wrapped up in preparing for Jesus. The father of John the Baptist said he "shall be called the prophet of the Most High" (Lk. 1:76) as foretold by Isaiah. As the last of the Old Testament-style prophets (coming after a silence of more than 450 yrs since Malachi), he demonstrated that God was speaking to his own again. John the Baptist declared true salvation, instead of the Old Law (Lk. 3:8). The repentance he declared brought a true forgiveness of sins = freedom.

Satan used Herodias

To be "called" for such a purpose is a privilege, and to die for such a purpose is a privilege too. Most of us cringe at the thought. We don't usually talk about the deatsh in the Christmas story, but Jesus' kin met an ugly death. All of his proclaiming got him put on the "naughty list" by King Herod and his wrongful wife Herodias. When John spoke the truth about their sinful union, Herodias took the opportunity at the King's birthday part to ask for John's head as a reward for their dancing daughter, eliminating the threat John posed to their rule. It was an act of hatred, and even "the king was sorry." (Read the story here) (Images are from visualbiblealive.com)


The followers of John took his body to be buried, and Herodias gloated over the head that had prepared the way for the Messiah. When Jesus heard the news, he went away to a "desolate place by himself."


To prepare room for Jesus, John let God shape his entire identity. He let God write his whole story, start to finish, with a wilderness in between.

John stayed his course, though it cost his life to proclaim Jesus. And I'm having trouble going to welcome my new neighbor.....

There IS room for Jesus in what we make such a busy season, but I have to be willing to let Jesus shape my identity and write the story of each day. 

I hate to do this, but ask me if I went to see my neighbor. I obviously need some accountability. :/ The tubs in the dining room can wait a little longer...

How are you doing with preparing Him room?

Are you fulfilled?

She's everything life in 2011 is not.  She gave up her own fulfillment to prepare for Jesus ... and then she was fulfilled! 

Anna was a prophetess, a woman who was given glimpses into future things that were hidden from most others. When life took a turn and left her a widow, she turned her attention to spiritual things. She stayed at the temple, "worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day" (Luke 2:36-38).  I feel so convicted when I read that. My weak flesh wonders if she ever wanted to go out for coffee! But she stayed at the temple to worship. Instead of remarrying, pouting, or building a posh 1st century business, she gave up her own fulfillment to prepare for Jesus. 

visualbiblealive.com

Since she was so faithfully in a position to worship, it's no wonder Anna was at the right place at the right time when Mary and Joseph were blessed by Simeon as the old man saw little Jesus. The widow who had set herself aside recognized the Son of God and immediately, "she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38).


She was a worshiper. She was humble. She was unselfish. She was steadfast. She was prayerful. She was grateful. She was ready to give an answer for the hope in her.


In her 84 years Anna had given up her own fulfillment to prepare for Jesus ... and she was fulfilled.



~ Are you worried about giving up something 2011 tells you is necessary to be fulfilled?
~ Are you ready to given an answer for your hope?

He's worth the wait

 

It's December 6th. What are you waiting for?

The thrill of seeing a "living Christmas tree?" The joy of giving a "perfect" present? Your masterpiece Christmas Eve dinner? Crafting an heirloom gingerbread house with grandkids? The arrival of loved ones?


Israel had been waiting a long time for the arrival of her King when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. If they studied the words of the prophets they would've been watching for His coming.  Simeon was not only alert; he was waiting. He was "waiting for the consolation of Israel" (Luke 2:25), the comfort of his people. The Holy Spirit told him he wouldn't die before he SAW Jesus and then prompted him to go into the temple on the very day he would meet the earthly family of the long awaited child. There, he saw Mary and Joseph who had come with their infant son Jesus.

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Standing in the temple in Jerusalem, in the hearing of priests and Jews, the elderly man announced that his eyes had seen God's salvation who would be "a light for revelation for the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel" (v.32). It was a sight worth his wait.


The young newlywed parents of Jesus marveled at what the old man in the temple had said. They didn't say he was a "creeper" (teen term borrowed from my 2); Simeon affirmed who Jesus was and blessed the little family. He spoke words declaring Jesus' purpose and words cautioning them about the hardships ahead. In the midst of doing what other Jewish parents would've done with their 100% human first born sons, Simeon was moved by the Holy Spirit to single out the Son of God and honor Him.


Simeon waited for Jesus, and when he saw Him, he identified him for the world to know He is the Messiah. Imagine how different the story would've been if all of those in the temple that day would've believed.

The old man made room in his life to wait for the one thing that mattered most - the coming of Jesus. 

• Are you waiting for the second coming of Jesus? 
• Are you looking for His presence in your life today? 
• Is anticipation of other things crowding out "the Jesus?"
• How can you point Him out in this season, so others will know the Savior has come, and He's worth waiting for?

Marriage Mondays: RU a Routine Wife?

The country bumpkins of the Christmas story have a lot to teach us. Yes, they were men, but most women can relate to the fact that they were "keepers of routines."  When they're first described in their story, we aren't given their names, years of experience, or even their number. We're told they were "keeping watch over their flocks by night" (Luke 2:8).  They were doing what they always did. Taking care of what needed to be done.

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When the angel of the Lord showed up and God's glory surrounded them, they panicked. It was a drop your coffee in your lap moment. God got their attention to be part of something miraculous and divine. The catch was that they had to release their routines to make room for Jesus in their night. If there had been a wife among them, I'm guessing she might've said, "I should really stay with the sheep." 


Our routines aren't meant to rule over us. The group of men with "sheep-pan" hands were called out by an angel, received the good news of great joy, had a front row to the multitude of heavenly hosts, and immediately left their routine duty to go see what God made known to them. When they left the crude stable-birthing room later that night, they "glorified and praised God" like the angels and told everyone about the very "un-routine" events of their night. They didn't let life's routines rob them of the amazing!


As women, we struggle to establish routines that bring order and peace to our homes; families can feel more like rounding up sheep on a hillside with a loose wolf. Once we get those routines down, it's easy to fall into the trap of letting the routines use us, instead of using the routines. We can become more like drill sergeants than shepherds. Our husbands can feel like pawns in our plan, instead of masters of our homes. It becomes important to learn new ways of thinking.

Here's my nonscientific test for figuring out if I'm falling into the routine wife trap:

• if Jeff puts his arms around me in the kitchen, do I to get "back to work" or reaching around him to "keep stirring"?
• when he suggests time out together or "time in" together, do I first think about the kids?
• if he sits down and wants to tell me about his day, do I think of how to get back to my routine?
• have I been so routine driven that he doesn't put his arms around me in the kitchen, suggest time out, or sit down to tell me about his day?

We are wise to follow the lead of the shepherds of Christmas:

• go with the flow and take note of miraculous moments
• let go of my maintenance duties in order to maintain relationships
• let the Lord (and your husband in this case) be spontaneous
• remember that you're married to a man, not a routine

Are you the wife of routine? Let's not let the routines of life rob us of experiencing the amazing! God has new and wonderful things to show us if we make room.

Manning up and making room

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His own betrothal fell apart with the news of Mary's pregnancy. Men of his town must've thought he was a "spineless jellyfish" to buy the story of his virgin bride and spare her the fate of divorce or stoning. He must've awkwardly longed to be her physical comfort and tender embrace during her pregnancy and delivery, yet he had to keep his affection patiently at bay and respect her purity as she carried Jesus, despite the fact that she was his earthly wife. As wonderful as it was, it had to be hard to have hopefully made the betrothal agreement, watched her from a distance, dreamed of being close to her, and looked forward to the day when she would first bear his child. Joseph had some losses to count with the news that Almighty God had chosen Mary to bear His Son, her first child.


And the news of a new royal in the land of Israel rocked their political world. "When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him" (Mt. 2:3).  Everyone was in upheaval when wise men came looking for the one who had been born "king of the Jews." By no choice of his own, the gentle carpenter from Nazareth found himself the caretaker of the Son of God (the lightning rod). The newlywed was assigned the job of father to Jesus' earthly family during a volatile time in a violent place. It was dangerous. They were a marked family.   This man had no choice but to multi-task! 



Joseph's story is like a deep undercurrent flowing beneath the story of Christmas. You have to read behind the main plot and look for him to find out who he was. The story that emerges is one of a man, maybe the first man, who had to choose how he would respond to making room for Jesus in his own life ... in his FAMILY!  ... in his MARRIAGE! ... in his MARRIAGE BED!  ... in his REPUTATION! ... in his CAREER!  Joseph was the first to personally have his life turned upside down by the coming of Jesus as a baby man. Much of Joseph's story can be read HERE. 

From Joseph's story, we discover that a man who makes room for Jesus puts the Heavenly Father first. 

A man who makes room for Jesus ...

• has a career he uses, instead of being used by his career
• has a reputation he will risk for the right reason
• has upright habits
• has a compassionate heart
• has a desire to be a protector
• has a mind that considers his course
• has an obedient attitude to do all God says without procrastinating
• has trustworthy conduct, even in private moments
• has a brave spirit and acts confidently
• has sensitivity to God's direction
• has patience to wait for God's timing
• has a nature that yields to God
• has humility to let the Heavenly Father come first

A man who makes room for Jesus puts the Heavenly Father first.

God uses humble men who make room for Him.

If you missed one, you may also want to look back and read the first 3 in our Advent Series Prepare Him Room ~ Making Room for Jesus: 

• Zechariah
• Elizabeth
• Mary

3 things Mary gave up

Jeff and I meet with a small group of young married couples. We love them. Our two teenagers love having them in our home, and we're at the fun stage when several are starting to announce that they're pregnant. When they first share that they're expecting, it's so exciting and new. They've imagined it and hoped for it and prayed for it and dreamed about it. We're thrilled to share the journey of growing into parenthood with them. 

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Mary had to let go of her dreams before her betrothal even grew into marriage.

To make room for Jesus, she had to accept some losses. Since she was in a legally binding agreement to become Joseph's wife, only divorce could break the bond. Her plans and expectations, and those of her girlfriends and family members, dissolved in the sudden, hardly believable story that she would be visited by God Himself and implanted with a baby who would be great, God's Son who would reign eternally. 



The angel Gabriel was so tender as he explained that the young Mary of Nazareth had found grace/favor with God and was chosen to bear the baby generations of women craved - the Messiah.  (Read her story here.) As a virgin, the honor came with the heavy certainty of shame and disgrace and misunderstanding. But Mary believed Gabriel (Luke 1:45).  To make room for Jesus Mary had to clear all of her own plans and preparations out of the way. 

• She gave up her own plans for how her marriage and family would happen, and instead she accepted God's better plan.  She valued God's plans over her own dreams.
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• She gave us her preparations for what her engagement and wedding would look, trusting God to do what had never been done and make it best. She had the wisdom to go to Elizabeth as her godly mentor for support and guidance.
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• She gave up her pride, trusting God to care for her as His servant. Her earthly reputation was exchanged for heavenly reasons. 

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It was so much to ask a young girl to move in her own life and heart in order to make room, but she was making room for the Son of God, and she was glad to prepare the way for Him in her heart. She treasured all that happened and considered it carefully. It prepared her for the hard road ahead on the very pregnant road to Bethlehem, all the way to the base of the cross where she saw her Son make room for the world. 

~ What are you dreaming about for your future? Are you willing to let go of your plans or preparations to make room for Jesus?

~ If you knew letting God steer your life would bring Him glory, would you feel more willing to let Him do things that are hardly believable, unusual, or even misunderstood?

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