A Lullaby Just for Me

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

In 1985, the Christmas season found me in search of a treasure—a peaceful night’s sleep.  A good night’s rest had evaded me ever since I had been electrocuted on the head when lightning hit my home while I was using a curling iron.  I kept trying to do all the things I had learned in rehab to ensure a good night’s sleep, but it continued to elude me.

One night before I began my usual wrestling rounds with the sand man, I was watching a Christmas program on television. I was caught by surprise at the peaceful feeling that came over me as I listened to a performer sing a familiar Christmas carol, “Silent Night.”  I closed my eyes, snuggled down into my comfy chair, and I let the words of this classic song speak to my soul.

Suddenly a soft, holy voice from within my heart began to speak directly to the child inside me, “You can sleep in heavenly peace.  Trust me with your hurts and disappointments, your fears and doubts.  Sleep in heavenly peace.”  Tears of relief and joy slid down my checks as I repeated the words out loud, “Sleep in heavenly peace.”

I began to realize I had been holding on to a lot of hurt and grief since my accident, carrying broken dreams, hospital stays, rehab, and too many doctor visits to count. It was time to let Jesus carry the weight of my burdens and rest in Him.

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child

Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Crystal Y. Hathcock , Guest Blogger
Crystal Hathcock and her husband Tony, live in Liberty, South Carolina and have been married for thirty-two years. They have two puppies, Hankie and Calvin. Crystal is a freelance writer, a student with the Christian Writer’s Guild and writes religious articles for the area’s local newspaper. She enjoys cooking for family and friends, couponing, jewelry making and singing.

The Reason for the Nativity

While checking out at Wal-Mart last Christmas, the cashier casually asked my children if they were ready for Santa Claus. Not missing a beat my then five-year-old replied, “No, Santa Claus isn’t real.”

Taken aback, the nice woman tried once more, “Oh, but he is. He lives in my heart.”

To which my young son said, “No, he don’t ’cause he’s not real.”

She looked at me in horror. I smiled and said, “Yes, we are that family and these are those children who tell everyone Santa Claus isn’t real.”  She could not believe my four children did not believe in Santa Claus and had never believed in him. How utterly ridiculous we were to this woman.  On the other hand, my kids were shocked as they recognized the fallacy of her statement–only Jesus should live in our hearts, not Santa Claus.

Oh, did I mention the cashier told me she was a believer?

The enemy has worked hard to deceive and confuse people (even believers) when it comes to the Nativity.  His goal is for us to view the virgin birth of Christ as a myth.  Barna Research released data today saying the Christian Church is becoming less theologically literate.

The Nativity had one purpose Satan does not want anyone to realize.

You.

The Nativity was just the beginning. The cross was Jesus’ destination from the start–for you.  God was not surprised by the lack of room, the manager, or Herod’s evil plan to kill the newborn baby.  As Corrie ten Boom said, “There’s no panic in heaven, just plans.”  

While Satan continues to try and wipe the significance of the birth of Christ from our culture, Genesis 3:15 shows us the virgin birth, cross, and defeat of Satan were planned all along.  And Romans 10:8 tells us why Satan works hard to reinvent the birth of Christ as a myth:

“If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”  Then in verse 13, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Salvation is the purpose of the Nativity. Salvation for you and me is the purpose of the cross. Without the virgin birth there is no diety, and without the deity of Christ there is no cross, crucifixion, or resurrection. God’s magnificent plan to save you and me begins to unfold in those humbling Nativity scenes we’ve looked at for the last two weeks.

Unless we tell us others–especially our family–how will they know the truth of the Nativity?  The push is on to remove Christ from everything–especially Christmas. I have heard believers say, “Oh, it will never happen, so I don’t worry about it.” For those grounded in faith, it may not be an issue. But what about our children, grandchildren, and generations to come who are being raised in a society that is systematically removing Christ and not being grounded in the Word?  Do you see the importance of our diligence as women of God to seek the truth and teach it to our families and others?

This Christmas season truly is not about anything other than remembering the message of salvation for all of us as seen in the birth of Christ.  Many things will get lost in our busy-ness, but let’s not allow the story of Christ’s birth and the reason He came to be one of them.

Day 12 ~ 12 Days of Christmas 2010

  

Have you enjoyed the 12 Days of Christmas this year? We have loved putting it together for you.  Today is a special day–the day when we ask you to share with us!

How do you put the focus on Christ during Christmas? Starting today through December 31st we will be linking up for Christ in Christmas.  Share your nativity scenes, Christ-centered decorating, traditions your family shares, and thoughts on keeping Christ in Christmas. To view all the links, click the above headline.

Linking up is super easy. Click the LinkUp link and follow the prompts. If you have any problems send me an email at mentoringmoments@aol.com and I’ll try to help.

Merry Christmas!

Day 11 ~ 12 Days of Christmas 2010

Handmade Journals…Perfect for preteen and teen gifts.

Feel free to see all 12 Days of Christmas 2010 (located in the top navgational bar) at MMCW.  Or go through back issues here.

Worship the King

 Mt. 2:9-12

We have all read the Christmas story many times, but do we really know what it says? Have we looked deep into the Scriptures to see the new treasures of truth God has for us as we learn about the birth of Jesus.  As I opened God’s Word to write this, I asked Him to show me a new truth, something I’d missed regarding the visit of the Magi—the Wise Men.  The more I studied, the more I learned.  It made me realize that all these years I had been relying on the story I had been taught as a child–and not what the Scripture actually states.

History traces the lineage of the Wise Men to the time of Daniel.  Some theologians believe Daniel actually taught them the prophecy regarding the coming of Jesus Christ.  The Wise Men, Gentiles and astrologists, were known as being “king makers.”  Matthew gives this account as additional proof that Jesus is Sovereign King not only by His lineage, but by the fact He is worshipped by those who knew He was the prophesied King.

Matthew begins with the Wise Men’s visit with Herod, who held the title “King of the Jews.” No wonder Herod was agitated to learn the Wise Men were looking for [Him] who has been born King of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-8).  The Wise Men said “for we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” If you were a king maker wouldn’t you first look in the royal city of Jerusalem for the King who was to come?

Tucked in the book of Numbers I read: “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob” (24:17a). The word for star is ‘astēr’ and it means “His blazing forth, His shekinah glory.”  Throughout the Old Testament the glory of God is manifested by blazing light. It was the glory of God which lead the Israelites, filled the temple and hovered over the Holy of Holies.  This blazing star was the glory of God, the sign of the Son of man.

The Wise Men had come to the general area, but “after hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was” (vs.9). This is the reason they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. In the Greek it means right before their very eyes they saw the star in its rising. Also note that Jesus is no longer a baby in a manager but a child somewhere under the age of two (see Matthew 2:16).

“After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him” (vs. 11). Try to imagine what this experience must have been like.  Here is the star, the shekinah glory of God, hovering over your head. You approach this humble abode, step through the front door, and immediately you come face-to-face with the Child, God’s only begotten Son.  Everything within you cries out “O Worship the King”!  Then, once you regain your composure, you present your gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

This year why not use the Nativity scene as an opportunity to share with others His story of love, salvation, and redemption? Explain how the star represents God’s blaze of glory and how the Wise Men (which should be positioned away from the manger in the Nativity scene), travelled to worship the Sovereign King. 

He has come and He is coming again.  One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:9-11)!  Like the Wise Men, we will all worship the King.

TO PONDER IN YOUR HEART:  May I find a new truth about the old, old story this Christmas season.

Day 10 ~ 12 Days of Christmas

 Christmas Past…Molly shares her experiences as an exchange student in Austria during Christmas–complete with authentic Austrian cookies recipes.

Feel free to see all 12 Days of Christmas 2010 (located in the top navgational bar) at MMCW.  Or go through back issues here.

You may enjoy from our archives Make Now, Bake Later.

 

Lady in Waiting

Luke 2:22-38

Imagine if you will, a young couple proudly presenting their precious baby boy before family members and witnesses as that sweet child is dedicated to the Lord. Many churches today have some type of baby dedication service where Christian parents promise to raise a child in the ways of the Lord God. It is a joyous time in the life of a new family. A similar, although quite different ceremony, is where we find Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus in Luke 2:22-38.

According to the law of Moses, the firstborn of all creatures belonged to God. In Mary and Joseph’s day it was required that a firstborn son be redeemed from his service to the Lord. The pidyon-haben (redemption of the firstborn son) was an important rite for law-abiding Israelites. In a moving scene set against the backdrop of the temple, the father is asked by the priest to offer a sacrifice for the privilege of keeping his son.

Don’t you wonder how Joseph and Mary prepared for this occasion, how it played out in their minds as they traveled to Jerusalem? Stranger still is this paradox: in accordance with the law, the Redeemer of mankind was being taken to the Temple to be redeemed. And yet all was going exactly according to the plan of God.

Whatever Mary and Joseph planned or imagined, I feel certain it was not their intention for the presentation to be interrupted by a stranger called Simeon on mission from God [see the December 13 devotional for more about Simeon].  Nor do I suppose that the elderly widowed prophetess Anna’s appearance was anticipated. However, almost like surrogate grandparents, they fit perfectly into God’s plan for the day of His only son’s redemption ceremony.

There is no telling how long Anna or Simeon prayed for and awaited the day of the Promised One. Luke tells us very little about the uninvited guests other than both were devout followers of God. Although Simeon came to the temple grounds due to a prompting of the Spirit, Anna was a different story.  She never left the grounds. The eighty-four years of her widowhood were spent in service to the Father, praying, worshiping and fasting right there at the temple. Her nearly lifelong dedication was rewarded with the revelation of the baby Jesus, the Messiah. Luke also reveals that Anna didn’t keep the news to herself. She spoke to ALL who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Just as Anna waited for the Messiah’s arrival, we also wait. We watch and wait for Jesus’ Second Coming, for the day He comes to redeem us and claim us as His own. Because of examples such as Anna’s found in the Bible, I believe it’s evident that our waiting should be done patiently but not idly; the Lord has prepared good works for us to be doing. Anna was a devoted lady in waiting all her days, and scripture tells us that her devotion was rewarded.

“For this reason the Lord is ready to show you mercy; he sits on his throne, ready to have compassion on you. Indeed, the Lord is a just God; all who wait for him in faith will be blessed.” Isaiah 30:18

TO PONDER IN YOUR HEART: How about you? Are you a lady in waiting–patiently, expectantly, and actively waiting on the Lord?

Simeon Sees the Savior

Luke 2:21-38

I remember when my firstborn was dedicated at church. With excitement we presented tiny Christine Alane Stewart to the congregation, committing to raise her in our Christian faith. Pictures snapped, a friend sang “Come to the Cradle,” and the minister spoke as we proudly held our adorable little girl. Probably many of you have had similar experiences with your children.

Over 2,000 years ago, Mary and Joseph also made a commitment to God, their son Jesus’ heavenly Father. Forty days after Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph took a five-mile, two-hour journey to the temple in Jerusalem to offer a burnt offering as the Old Testament commanded them to do. They were so desperately poor, they did not have a lamb, so they sacrificed two turtledoves, worth about 16 cents (Luke 2:21-39).

God’s choice for His Son’s parents was not based on financial status but probably on their obedience to Him and the scriptures. Luke 2:39 says that when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the temple, they did “everything required by the law of the Lord.” How delighted God must have been as they dedicated their Son to His heavenly Father.

Someone else delighted in seeing God’s son: Simeon. We know four things about Simeon. He was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; the Holy Spirit was upon him, and he knew that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Simeon is moved by the Spirit and enters the temple courts ready for Jesus. He needs no introduction to his Savior.

Now picture Mary and Joseph. They’ve already had many God-moment confirmations of their Son’s importance—Elizabeth, Zechariah, angels, and excited shepherds. Now they marvel at what Simeon says about their Son: He has come as God’s salvation, a light to the Gentiles, and for glory to the people of Israel (Luke 2:30-32).

But these new parents also hear a troubling warning. Simeon prophesies that Jesus will be a “sign that will be spoken against” (Luke 2:34). And a sword will pierce through Mary’s own soul. How do you think Mary felt when she heard Simeon’s words about her one-month old baby and herself? What would it feel like to hear good news as well as sad news?

I remember the sadness my brother and his wife felt when the doctor explained their firstborn’s health issues. They treasured the infant in their arms and wanted their little boy to have a wonderful life.

Could Mary and Joseph comprehend that wrapped in Simeon’s wonder was a moment of prophecy? Simeon’s prophecy shows that Jesus’ life would include sacrifice and death. And with Simeon’s proclamation, “For my eyes have seen your salvation!” he foreshadows the rest of the story and connects Christmas with Easter.

Christmas is the season for gift giving and receiving. Long ago God picked out the perfect Gift for you. Simeon was waiting for the perfect promised Gift. He received exactly what He wanted—to see His Savior’s face. And in return, Simeon gave God exactly what He wanted—a heart focused on Him.

This Christmas season, let’s give God the gift He wants. Like Simeon, let’s spend Advent looking for Jesus in everything we say or do. What a blessing to know that no matter what is happening in our lives, He is our consolation and deliverer (v. 25). And on December 26 and beyond may we continue to seek Him daily, looking for all that He is doing in our lives and watching and hoping for His Second Coming when we, like Simeon, will see Him face to face.

TO PONDER IN YOUR HEART: May my eyes of faith be opened to all God has for me until the day faith is swallowed up by sight.

Day 9 ~ 12 Days of Christmas

Rockin’ Round the Christmas Tree…Molly shares a favorite tradition her children enjoy during Christmas.

Feel free to see all 12 Days of Christmas 2010 (located in the top navgational bar) at MMCW.  Or go through back issues here.

You may enjoy from our archives Caramel Apples and Hummingbird Cake .

 

Day 8 ~ 12 Days of Christmas

Storing Ornaments…Looking for a way to organize and store ornaments without it costing a fortune in specialty containters?

Feel free to see all 12 Days of Christmas 2010 (located in the top navgational bar) at MMCW.  Or go through back issues here.

You may enjoy from our archives  Sister Chick Flick Party and Make-It Take-It Casserole Party.

 

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