Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present
help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear . . . 10 He says, “Be still, and
know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in
the earth.”
We have arrived on the tenth day of Christmas. Just like after a baby is born, the world is
full of wonder of what lies ahead for us, what does the coming of the Christ
child mean for all. The wise men have
not arrived yet and Mary and Joseph’s lives have been thoroughly changed. What were Mary and Joseph contemplating with
all their heavenly visitors and guests from shepherds to angels? Were they prepared for the change or did they
stick to the comforting words of scripture, “God is our refuge and strength, an
ever-present help in trouble, therefore we will not fear.” (Psalm 46:1) What
lies ahead for us who know the Christ child?
Like Mary and Joseph, we need to listen to the messages from God in our
daily lives. Then worship, the Word made Flesh, Jesus, because we are the
shepherds and Magi for the present age.
Psalm 97
The LORD reigns let the earth be glad; let the
distant shores rejoice. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples
see his glory.
The coming of Christ is a reminder to us to” be glad, let
distant shores rejoice. The heavens
proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory.” (Psalm 97:1) As we
move forward through Christmas, it reminds me that this rejoicing is not for
just this season but throughout the year.
The greatest challenge for all is to keep our eyes upon Jesus, even
through the daily obstacles that come before us like sickness, loneliness,
despair, and hardships of various types.
Look at how the apostles had their moments of weakness in faith. Peter denying his Lord, Thomas doubting his
Lord, and all those moments when the disciples of the time were
persecuted. How will response to
Christ’s birth manifest itself to others? My actions need to be fruit of God’s
spirit working in me, “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23. Joy through the music to praise our God,
Peace through the knowing that God holds me in the palm of his hand, Kindness
when dealing with others even amidst the daily frustrations and self control in
my responses to my perception of the injustice in our situations. We each individually need to think of our
actions that reflect the light of Jesus Christ to show that our God Reigns
eternally.
Isaiah 52
When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together...
Even as we celebrate his birth reminding us that God lives among us eternally. Both Isaiah and Revelation point to the future. Isaiah 52:7-8 “When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. 9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.” Jerusalem was the place where a home (temple) was built for God. To me it symbolizes the ability to be in God’s presence (New Jerusalem) for worship, prayer and to bask in his love. Revelation 21: 22-23 “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” Christmas reminds us of God’s promised Son so we can look to the time when we will all be with him in the New Jerusalem, singing his praise and infused with his love.
As we move through the Christmas season, we need to be like
Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, listening for God’s message to us. Now is the time for listening for, praying
to, and praising the Newborn King. As
we journey forward, may our lives continue to change to the rhythm of God’s
call to us. My prayer is that Jesus walk
beside each of us in our wilderness times so we may respond to God’s
inspiration to be His light to the world.
Rejoice in the Lord and praise his Holy Name.
-Greg Young
