Advent - For Unto Us Children Are Born!

The text of scripture says, "For unto us a child is born, a son is given..." and it is the most wonderful news for all mankind.

Today, I'm rejoicing in three grandchildren being born on the same day.

My Son and Daughter in law, Chris and Sarah's baby boy - Leo Andrew was born at 1:18 this morning in Milwaukee. He weighed in at a strapping 9 lbs, 5 oz.

Then, 7 hours later, and across the big pond called the Atlantic, my daughter and Son in law, Lindsay and Peter Osborne had twins arrive. Raewyn Leslie was born first at 5 lbs 2oz, and Theo Harvey was born 2 minutes later at 4lb 15 oz.,

Moms and babies are doing fine!!!! Grandpa and Grandma are rejoicing like Shepherds on a hill side!

THREE in one day!!!

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Advent With Joy

The Christmas Hymn says:

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders, of His love.

I was reading this morning and in one of my Advent readings the writer expressed something that intrigues me - "Jesus delighted in being here on earth". For some reason that got me off guard, it made me stop and think about Jesus' coming to the earth. He didn't come because "he had to", "someone has got to do it", "I suppose, it's got to be done" - No, he came with Joy, with excitement that the winter of mankind's darkness would come to an end.

It made me stop and think some more about "how we do Christmas", and why I prefer to call this Advent versus the Christmas season.

Advent is the long meal with family and friends, with conversation, laughter, and fun. It is prepared for, for certain, but the goal is that time to sit together, in communion, in love, in a place of togetherness, with JOY.

Christmas can be a season of "I need to...", "I forgot to get....", "I wonder if so and so is going to do this or that and I need to do something also...", "I suppose I better get a present to....."

If we allow it to, it becomes a season of "have to's" and "got to's", and the JOY doesn't seem to be there at all...just duty, performance, and things to do.

Think about it: Jesus didn't "have to", "I've got to". It says in the Luke story:

"Then an angel of the Lord stood before them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord." Luke 2:9-11 (NRSV)

It struck me all over again, Jesus came into the world and delighted to be here!!

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Joseph and George Bailey

Matthew 1:19-20 (NRSV)
19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.
20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Advent is about the great love of God...blah, blah, blah. Isn't that how it comes across sometimes. God so loved the world...yeah, I know that. God loves you...do I know that? Do I believe that? God so loves the world, that's true...but God love and care about me personally? I think we struggle with that.

Henri Nouwen wrote about this over and over again:
"To whom do I belong? To God or to the world?...As long as I keep running about asking, 'Do you love me?', I give all power to the voices of the world and put myself in bondage because the world is filled with "ifs". 'Yes, I love you if you are who I want you to be, if you are intelligent, if you have money, if you have a good job, if you produce much, sell much, buy much.'...These "ifs" enslave me, since it is irresponsible (impossible?) to respond adequately to them all...As long as I keep looking for my true self in the world of conditional love, I will remain 'hooked' to the world - trying, failing, trying again." [from "The Return of the Prodigal Son"]

Joseph stuck in the "ifs". If he does not divorce Mary he is marrying an immoral woman, and the child is not his, most of all he has broken the law he loves - so he reasons. He would do it to be "right".

If he does divorce Mary he gives up on the woman he loves and he surrenders his love in order to pass the test of "this is what you should do".

The conflict in Joseph was later mirrored in the conflict of George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life". George Bailey lives with heart of sacrifice, loyalty, family, loving and being kind - living "rightly"; and yet it feels all so distant from him when his life seemingly collapses around him. He does not feel "loved", but "alone" - perhaps that is one of the best descriptions of our lives when we are struggling with "do you love me?"

Jimmy Stewart, who played George, shared in a story what he felt in acting out George in the scene at the bridge.
"The character I played was George Bailey, an ordinary fella who thinks he's never accomplished anything in life. His dreams of becoming a famous architect, of living adventurously, have not been fulfilled. Instead he feels trapped in a humdrum job in a small town. And when faced with a crisis in which he feels he has failed everyone, he breaks under the strain and flees to the bridge.
That's when his guardian angel, Clarence, comes down on Christmas Eve to show him what his community would be like without him. The angel takes him back through his life to show how our ordinary everyday efforts are really big achievements.
Clarence reveals how George Bailey's loyalty to his job at the building-and-loan office has saved families and homes, how his little kindnesses have changed the lives of others and how the ripples of his love will spread through the world, helping make it a better place.
Good as the script was, there was still something else about the movie that made it different. It's hard to explain. I, for one, had things happen to me during the filming that never happened in any other picture I've made.
In one scene, for example, George Bailey is faced with unjust criminal charges and, not knowing where to turn, ends up in a little roadside restaurant. He is unaware that most of the people in town are arduously praying for him. In this scene, at the lowest point in George Bailey's life, Frank Capra was shooting a long shot of me slumped in despair. In agony I raise my eyes and, following the script, plead, "God… God…dear Father in heaven, I'm not a praying man, but if you're up there and you can hear me, show me the way. I'm at the end of my rope. Show me the way, God…"
As I said those words, I felt the loneliness, the hopelessness of people who had nowhere to turn, and my eyes filled with tears. I broke down sobbing. This was not planned at all, but the power of that prayer, the realization that our Father in heaven is there to help the hopeless, had reduced me to tears."

Interestingly, Jimmy Stewart was raised by a godly Father. Jimmy served in World War II, as a bomber pilot - a very hazardous job. Many bomber pilots lost their lives, many were shot down and ended up in POW camps. Before he left for Europe his Dad wrote Jimmy a letter. The letter from his Dad read:

“My dear Jim boy. Soon after you read this letter, you will be on your way to the worst sort of danger. Jim, I’m banking on the enclosed copy of the 91st Psalm. The thing that takes the place of fear and worry is the promise of these words. I am staking my faith in these words. I feel sure that God will lead you through this mad experience. I can say no more. I only continue to pray. Goodbye, my dear. God bless you and keep you. I love you more than I can tell you.” Dad.

Psalm 91:1 has often been called God’s 911. It reads, “”He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”

Joseph and George Bailey had a lot in common. They were fairly ordinary men who had to believe that God truly wanted to make a difference in their lives, and that "I am loved" is not mere sentimentality, but the heart of God for our lives.

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The Art of Manliness

A few months ago in a casual conversation with a friend, I was directed to a web site called "the art of manliness". You can check it out at http://artofmanliness.com

Not a site necessarily directed to Christ, it is nevertheless filled with material, stories, and articles for men. What I like about it is that it has a moral foundation, and a gentlemen's approach to being a man...something I think that is largely missing in today's world.

My meditation this morning is on a man...Joseph. Luke shares very little about him in the days leading up to Christ Jesus' birth, but Matthew gives us a lot to think about. In Matthew 1:18-19 (NRSV), it says...
18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.

I can't help but be impressed with Joseph the man. He is called "righteous"... something most men would shy away from as a label today. It implies "self-righteous" as in someone who is egotistical, arrogant, proud.

The word that is used for righteous in the text means "innocent, correct, does that which is right, seeks justice". In otherwords, Joseph wasn't arrogantly religious...better than others...he was humble. He was more than a "man of faith", he was "faithful" to God. He had gone along in life doing the right things - honest, caring, obeying the law, attending the synagogue, and correctly going about the engagement period to a young woman named Mary.

Joseph obeyed the Torah, he obeyed the Word of God.

Mystery entered in when Mary got pregnant. She explains, but it sounds so unreal. "How could it be?", "Why God, would you do this?", "How will I explain this to anyone without being dismissed?", and on and on it would go.

Joseph had to wrestle with his sense of "correct obedience" to the law and love for Mary.

I can imagine his feelings.
I can imagine how he is being pulled.

The scripture says he does the "righteous", which is also the compassionate thing - "divorce, quietly".

I see him coming to a reluctant kind of resolve -- "What happened is wrong, she is pregnant and regardless of what she says, I am not the father - someone else is. I will go quietly to the priest."

The change takes place when he wakes us from a dream (v.s.. 20)
What follows for Joseph is an explanation by God through the angel of what is going on.
- Mary is to be his wife.
- The baby inside is not ordinary - specifically He is called "Jesus" = the Greek equivalent of "Joshua" which means "Jehovah saves"
- The baby is the prophet's promise for the Messiah - Note v.s. 23, a quote from Isaiah 7:14, and so that we don't have to wonder, "Emmanuel, which means 'God with us'."
That is a very Mysterious thing! It seems preposterous!

Imagine guys, whether married or unmarried, whether single and engaged or not even dating.

Put yourself in Joseph's shoes...
It is "Mystery" that Mary offers Joseph as an explanation!
Do we believe Mystery? Do we accept the unacceptable? Do we allow room in our lives for the presence of God to come in when it appears so "Irrational, so impossible" an explanation?

If we men want a model of "the art of manliness", we need not look any further than this man Joseph. Would that men today we care that much about God and others as Joseph did.

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Advent Waiting Part 2

Zechariah's first words in months of time was framed in a prophetic prayer for his son's life. John the Baptist was born six months or so before Jesus, and he was to serve as the forerunner - the one who introduced God's purpose and God's Son to a world so unprepared to see him.

Zechariah prayed and prophesied..Luke 1:68-79 (NRSV)
68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us
74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
78 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

This life was part of a long line of prophets...voices for God in a world that is filled with darkness and desperately needs the light and life of God.

C.S. Spurgeon wrote this 125+ years ago:
For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness. 2 Samuel 22:29

Am I in the light? Then Thou, O Lord, art my lamp. Take Thee away and my joy would be gone; but as long as Thou art with me, I can do without the torches of time and the candles of created comfort. What a light the presence of God casts on all things! We heard of a lighthouse which could be seen for twenty miles, but our Jehovah is not only a God at hand, but far off is He seen, even in the enemy’s country. O Lord, I am as happy as an angel when Thy love fills my heart. Thou art all my desire.

Am I in the dark? Then thou, O Lord, wilt lighten my darkness. Before long things will change. Affairs may grow more and more dreary and cloud may be piled upon cloud; but if it grow so dark that I cannot see my own hand, still I shall see the hand of the Lord. When I cannot find a light within me, or among my friends, or in the whole world, the Lord, who said, “Let there be light,” and there was light, can say the same again. He will speak me into the sunshine yet. I shall not die but live. The day is already breaking. This sweet text shines like a morning star. I shall clap my hands for joy ere many hours are passed.


The final verse of Luke 1 is one more verse after Zechariah's prayer for his son. It says in Luke 1:80 (NRSV)
80 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.

The waiting period would go on for 30 years. His purposes to bring light and life are relentless, even if it takes all of our lives to bring it to past.

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Advent Absurdity

The Story of Zechariah is a story of humanity in it's most usual form...myself included. The priest Zechariah (Zacharias) is part of a priestly division who come to the temple once a year for a two week period of time to perform the temple services. He is chosen by lot (straws anyone?) and he enters into the temple's holy place to burn the incense and take care of the candles and bread when suddenly the angel of the Lord appears at the altar. This angel's name is Gabriel which means "man, or person, of El" which was short for Elohim, one of God's names. He meets Zechariah at the altar of incense which was symbolic of the prayers of the people rising up before God's throne. And the angel gives him the news...
Luke 1:13 (NIV)
13 But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

"Zechariah, God has heard your prayers and indeed a son, you'll name him John, will be born to even in your older age. You've been praying for this and God has waited for this time to make it possible. Hallelujah!"

Sometimes in the midst of "waiting" for God we also lose the ability to believe He is listening anymore...and so we stop listening...and waiting. Zechariah is me, and perhaps you...Luke 1:18-20,
18 Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."
19 The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."

The word "listen" in Latin is "obedire", which we can probably recognize is the word from which we get "obedience". To listen is the seek to be obedient.

Interestingly, the word for "not listening" in Latin is "surdus". Again a closer look reveals our word "absurd". To live without listening is to live absurdly...vainly...basically going it alone.

Zechariah heard the words, but time had eroded his sense of God might really care and still want to do something. God had been listening...Zechariah had given up listening...he was just religiously performing.

It's the writer of Hebrews that reminds us in Hebrews 11:1&6 (NRSV)
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen...
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

"My prayer this Advent is to listen Lord...your word is full of life, reality, and hope and I want to hear you all over again in the love of your speaking faith, hope and love to me and others."

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A Forerunner's Christmas

This morning I read a bit of Luke 1 and the pronouncement of the angel concerning John the Baptist's birth.

Luke 1:12-17 (NIV)
12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.
13 But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.
14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,
15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.
16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.
17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

John's place in salvation history is to serve as a forerunner. Like Elijah he is calling fathers to a faith that makes a difference in the lives of their children. And he is taking on the task of truth-telling to the generation that Jesus is revealed in.

Truth-telling is always an ominous task, especially in our generation today. John challenged his generation with truth and it cost him his life! Truth-telling often forfeits acceptance by the wide audience of its culture.

Jesus said of John in Matthew 11:7-19
7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.
9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10 This is the one about whom it is written: "'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'
11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
15 He who has ears, let him hear.
16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17 "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."

Advent is a season of truth. In this post-modern age where "truth is relative", "whatever works for you", it is supremely important that we hang on to God's truth. What is that?
1. That God so loved the world that he sent his one and only son. "God with us" Immanuel is the story of Advent and God's great love for us.
2. That without the son, we cannot have life...translated, that means that without the son people live in the darkness of their own sin, and selfishness, that clouds out a picture of life with God.

This is truth, a double truth, that we have incredible dignity as those made in the image of God, and we are profoundly wretched because of sin. This is truth, God is determined to bring us back to Divine Dignity in his son, Jesus.

Perhaps today, we could prayerfully look for truth in our conversations, our observations...not with a sense of superiority or judgment, but with a desire to be ones who can say to Jesus, "I'm seeking to have ears to hear Lord...help me to see and listen, and be a fore-runner today for you."

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