Worship Christ the King

Matthew 2: 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
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Philippians 2: 9-10 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.
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My husband loves the motif of Santa worshipping the Christ Child. We have quite a few of them around the house. He's even made a cut out, painted version for the front lawn. While we enjoy the songs about Santa, and the bright red decorations (I have been known to don a Santa hat a time or two), our family believes that Jesus is the reason for the season. All of the holiday trappings of decorations, food, gifts and fun all pale in comparison to the knowledge and understanding that Jesus Christ, son of God, came into the world for all people. Because none of us is perfect, and we need His powerful work on the cross to save us from our sins and make us right before Almighty God.
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Sent for this mission by God the Father, God has exalted Him and given Him the highest homage. The Magi (kingly types) came to him and worshipped at His birth. We stand on the Hallelujah Chorus because the first time it was played for royalty in England, the King and Queen stood to honor the one who is King of kings and Lord of lords.
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He deserves our attention, our very hearts and our worship. Let all that is Christmas bow down and give Him first place.

Peace on Earth

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

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I worked as a missionary nurse for 10 years in Guinea, West Africa. This morning I awoke to the news that the president of that country who has been in power since my time there has died. It has left a void of power, as is often the case in many African nations. It has thrown the country into a sense of chaos with others grabbing for power.

He died 2 days before Christmas, during a time that we pray for peace on earth, goodwill towards men. Certainly we must pray for the peace of Guinea, just as we pray for the peace of all nations.

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The Advent season is a time of anticipation, to prepare our heart for His coming. He came to reconcile the world to Himself, and to bring peace to the world. Ultimately we await His second coming to fulfill all.

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Thank you, Jesus, for coming into the world. Grant me peace this day, and enable me to faithfully pray for the peace of the world.

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Isa 2:4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

An Instrument of Peace

Luke 2: 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

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I am struck today by the difference between the King James version (KJV) of this verse, "peace on earth, goodwill towards men," and the New International Version (NIV) seen above. The New American Standard Version says "peace among men with whom He is pleased."

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So what might this verse mean regarding peace? After reasearching this a bit, I find the original langauge it was written in to show that peace comes through man's relationship with God. It spreads out from His people. I like the way Adam Clarke's commentary puts it.

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"When men become reconciled to God, through the death of his Son, they love one another. They have peace with God; peace in their own consciences; and peace with their neighbours: good will dwells among them, speaks in them, and works by them." Adam Clarke

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May I radiate peace this day in all I do. May I touch others. As St. Francis of Assisi said, "Lord make me an instrument of thy peace."

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

Prince of Peace

Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

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The last week of Advent is about Peace. So much is in turmoil in the world. The world financial crisis. Riots recently spilled over around Europe from a Greece incident. Terrorist threats. War.

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In the era of Christ's birth there was a lot of turmoil in the world, too. Herod was a mad ruler who made erratic decisions. But he was just a pawn for the Roman government that dominated the world scene. Life in Israel was hard and people were poor. Reckless political groups abound threatening to take over.

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Life ebbs and flows. There are golden ages and nations tumble. In my life too, there are seasons of great joy and times of great difficulty. But it doesn't matter. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He brings peace to my life in a way no one else can. In fact, it is in the turmoil that I call on Him more.

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Philippiens 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Fourth Sunday : Angel Candle

Lu 1:19 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."
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It is totally appropriate for angels to appear all over the Christmas story. One appears to Zechariah to announce John the Baptist's birth. Then one appears to Mary to tell her that she is chosen to bear the Christ Child. Next, Joseph hears from an angel that it is OK to take Mary as his wife because she is bearing God's only son. The angel of the Lord and a heavenly host of angels gives a fabulous performance to the shepherds the night of Jesus' birth. Finally an angel tells Joseph to flee with the Child to Egypt for His protection from Herod.
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In all of these cases, the angel speaks for God. I like what Gabriel explains to Zachariah in the verse for today. He explains that he comes from God's presence. He is a sent one. And he comes bearing Good News.
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"Good News" seems to be a theme. The shepherds also hear that the angel comes with Good News.
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Sometimes I have wished an angel would appear and tell me what to do or proclaim to me the glory of God at work in my life. And yet the Good News and the Glory of God is right in front of me. It is found in the Word of God, the Bible. In fact, one version is called the Good News Bible.
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This advent devotional has been good for me. I have dug into the Good News of the story of the Christ Child daily and reflected on it throughout the day. I guess I don't need a personal angel! Just get into the Word!