Author: admin

In school, I was never very good at English or language arts. I just wasn’t. I didn’t like it. Oh, I liked the literature part, I liked to read, but that was about it. Much to June B. West’s chagrin, I could not have cared less about how to construct a sentence, pick out nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. It didn’t matter to me whether or not I could diagram a sentence – why would you waste your time doing that? Or, whether or not my participle was dangling – what does that mean anyway – it just doesn’t sound right? Why are run on sentences a bad thing? As my niece Meg would say, in the course of a lifetime, what does it matter? Right on, girl! To me, not one bit.

You see, in Ms. West’s class, I was much more focused on creative writing. Way back when. I became quite the creative writer. I was pretty good at it too. My language arts skills were tested to the max. How, you asked? By seeing how many words I could fit on a gum wrapper that I then tossed to a certain somebody sitting behind me. The art of the craft was leaving enough room for a response. It’s amazing how much dialog you could get on the inside of a foil gum wrapper. They don’t make gum wrappers that big anymore, if at all, so don’t try it at home. I just wasn’t focused on the English, on learning what I supposedly needed to know. That’s ok, my teacher was much more focused on her study of ancient druids – no kidding. I was focusing on my future (she said with fluttering eyes!) something that would last the course of a lifetime. Silliness, you say. Right, you are. But I did get an A in the gum wrapper creative writing class. Anyway, back to the point. The point is that I simply wasn’t focused on what I was supposed to be focused on.

I wish I could say English class was the only time I ever lost my focus. Not so. There are times when I have lost my focus on Jesus. Yikes, I said that out loud! Please tell me I’m not alone. To the trained eye, an English major, in reading this blog it’s probably obvious that my focus wasn’t on language arts those years ago. But, I think too, that those times when I’m not focused on Jesus, folks can see that too.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sins that so easily hinder our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. Hebrews 12:1

Pursuing Jesus in every moment and every inch of our life requires focus. Maintaining our focus is a matter of keeping our eyes on Jesus. Simple as that. Keeping our eyes on Him through His Word. The Word is filled with so many examples that can be so encouraging to us. Folks who momentarily lost focus – Abraham, King David, Jonah, Moses, Peter – but folks who regained focus and finished the race with their eye on God.

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. Proverbs 4:25-27

Do you find it hard to focus on Jesus because of all the things in life? What is stealing your focus? What is pulling your attention away from Him? What is sidetracking you from a deeper more genuine relationship? We will never be able to keep our focus on Jesus in our own power. We cannot will ourselves to focus on Jesus. The world is more powerful than we are, but Jesus has overcome the world. His power will give us the ability to focus on Him. He has provided a path for us and a way to stick to it. Read His Word.

You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
Psalm 56:8 (NLT)

Thou tellest my wanderings;
put thou my tears into thy bottle;
are they not in thy book?
Psalm 56:8 (KJV)

You’ve kept track of every toss and turn through the sleepless nights,
Each tear entered in your ledger,
each ache written in your book.
Psalm 56:8 (MSG)

What beautiful words. Words of comfort. Words of reassurance. Words of life. Words of love. These words have hugs built right into them. Arms wrapped. Holding.

Our tears flow freely over life, trying to wash away all that would cause us pain. They are full of hurt, fear, loss, longing, disappointment, brokenness, separation, pain, illness, and even death. I don’t have to tell you that life is hard. You’re living it.

Whether our tears fall in big round drops or in salty streams, every bit of moisture is collected. The mother’s tears for a son are collected. The wife’s tears for a husband are collected. A child’s tears for a parent are collected. A friend’s tears for a friend are collected. Think about the number of tears shed in a single day on this earth. God surely has a huge reservoir in Heaven – an ocean of tears.

“Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept.
John 11:34-35

What a comfort to know that He who collects my tears also shed tears. That’s right. Jesus wept. Jesus was sad, broken, grieved by the loss of his friend. I marvel at that. Jesus, the One. Jesus, the Healer. Jesus, God of the Universe. The One who could dry every tear experienced pain, loss, grief. His tears fell too. What does that say to me? Jesus knows exactly how I feel. How you feel. Exactly.

“Why are you crying?” the angels asked her.
“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” She glanced over her should and saw someone standing behind her. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”
“Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”
“Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and exclaimed, “Teacher!”
Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!”
John 20:11-18

Mary’s tears were collected too. But guess what? In the midst of her tears, she saw Jesus. She was looking for Him and, He called her name. He appeared to her. I don’t know if He will visibly appear to us – He has the power to do that, you know. But I do know this, that in our tears, through our tears, while they are being collected, He calls our name.

So what do we do about this thing called life that causes so much pain for so many? We look to the One who chose to experience what we experience. We look to the One who knows what we’re going through. We look to the One who will guide us through the pain. We look to the One who calls our name.

We are told there are only two things we can be sure of in life – death and taxes. That’s not true, at all. We can only be sure of Jesus. He has promised us his unfailing love, forever. I can’t promise you that life will be easy, but I can promise you – He promises you – that whatever causes your tears to fall, whatever course your life is on, He knows what you’re going through. He is collecting every tear that slides. He’s calling out – Mary. He’s calling out — your name, My child, it’s Me!

There will be a day when no more tears will fall for those who know Him…

I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.” Revelations 21:3-4

Until then…Through our tears do we turn to Him? Do we look to Him for the answers? Do we look to Him for the comfort? Do we look to Him for the healing? Do we look to Him, the only One we can be sure of? Can we say we have seen the Lord?

I was sure by now
God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen,” and it’s still raining.

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold In Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You…I hear you whisper, “I’m with you.”
-Casting Crowns

Beauty in the brokenness. Do you see it? We can get bogged down and stuck in the brokenness. You don’t know what I’m dealing with, you say. You don’t know what I’m going through, you say. You don’t know the battles I’m fighting, you say. You don’t know the illness I have, you say. You don’t know how I’ve been hurt, you say. You don’t know…You don’t know…You are right. I don’t know yours, but I know mine. Guess what? The things that break me in life are the same as yours, hurt, fear, loss, chaos – they just have different names. We’re all living life in a fallen world. And, brokenness is brokenness.

I’m going to make a bold statement. Hold tight… If we don’t have bad, we won’t know if something is good. If everything were always good, we wouldn’t know it was good cause that’s all we got. I dare say too, if it was all good, we, being the humans we are, wouldn’t appreciate the good for long. Stop throwing stuff at me! If we do not have brokenness, we cannot see beauty. She’s completely flipped her lid, you’re saying. Stick with me a minute.

We have to live this life, but we don’t have to live a broken life. Brokenness begets brokenness. But Jesus begets beauty. What’s the opposite of broken – whole. Wholeness is beautiful. How do we see beauty in the midst of our brokenness? By seeing Jesus. By seeking Jesus. By snuggling up to the only One who can make us whole, regardless of the circumstances, the diagnoses, the pain, the hurt, the separation, the battle, the brokenness.

So, how do we get to the beauty in the brokenness? The light in the darkness? The trust in the terror? The comfort in the pain? The easy answer — Jesus. So easy…yet so hard. I promise you though, if you answer the brokenness with Him, you will see beauty. Beauty that is so beautiful, it passes all understanding.  Not just Him, as in take this cup from me, but Him, as in I trust You, even when I don’t understand.

“I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.” God’s Decree. “For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Beauty in brokenness…a wife going to the kitchen cabinet, taking out the only oil she has, and anointing her ailing husband for healing. Beauty in brokenness…a wife praying blessings over a crucifix, the one she bought for his birthday, the one that will lay atop his cancer. Beauty in brokenness…the tears collected by God cried over a suffering one. Beauty in brokenness…the Christ who hangs on a cross, praying the Father’s forgiveness for those who hung Him there. Beauty in the brokenness is raw. It touches us in the very center of our being.

“Father, forgive these people, because they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

Beauty in the brokenness, do you see it? How, you say?

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“Do you finally believe? But the time is coming – in fact, it is already here – when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have any trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:31-33

All Jesus’ words show us how to find beauty in the brokenness. All His words are inviting. All His words say come. All His words say receive. All His words say I have overcome, I will handle this. All His words say trust. All His words say take heart and look at the beauty. Beauty in our brokenness, beauty that can only be found in Him. All who are broken, lift up your face…to see Beauty.

I’m afraid of the dark. Always have been. You too? Maybe it’s because I don’t see well in the dark – who does you say? Maybe because I’m a Type A personality, you know, slightly excitable (some call that jumpy) – I know, hard to believe, isn’t it? I don’t know exactly what I’m afraid of. The landscape is no different at night than during the day. I can’t see what’s going on so I can’t control what’s going on? Never mind the reason, I’m still afraid of the dark.

I’m working on overcoming that fear. I no longer insist on living where there are street lights. Good thing. Where we live there are no street lights. Slightly bothersome since I always found comfort in my dad telling me not to worry, they’d let me go once they got me under the street lights! Thanks, Daddy.

Anyhow, if the moon’s not up, it’s pitch black at our place. And, I’m afraid. Don’t they (there’s the they again – whoever they might be) say that the first step in overcoming a fear is facing it? Well, I’m a working on it.

The first day of 2019, like clockwork, the worst-best dog ever wanted to go for a walk at 6:00 a.m. It’s very dark at that hour. It was one of those creepy mornings – it’s the first of January, and the wind is blowing like crazy. I suit up in my early morning walking garb – sweatshirt, PJ pants – otherwise known as Wal-Mart-wear, and my long purple bathrobe that has big holes around the bottom from the worst-best dog ever. We step out onto the porch and guess what – it’s 60 degrees! That’s just creepy in the dead of winter. We set off…we walk down the road, to the back of our property, in the dark. The further we walk away from the house, from safety, the less light I see. I’m thinking of turning back each step I’m taking forward.  Until we reach a spot along the fence line between our field and the cow field behind us…and suddenly, there is illumination…

From noon to three, the whole earth was dark. Around midafternoon Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Matthew 27:45-46

…it is the spiritual darkness that should give me terrors. It is the spiritual darkness that should make me most afraid. It is the spiritual darkness that should make me jump out of my skin.

While on that cross, Jesus took on the sins of the world. Jesus’ groan from the depths was caused by my sins. Yours too. When Jesus took on my sin, He was separated from His Father. Why? Because sin and God cannot coexist. Not even a little bit. He was my ransom. Jesus took on the agony of death for me, and you. That’s a shocking statement, but a true statement. Think about it.

By now it was noon. The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours – a total blackout. The temple curtain split right down the middle. Jesus called loudly, “Father, I place my life in your hands!” Then he breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46

Slashed right down the middle, the barrier that kept us from God. We are no longer cordoned off behind the curtain – we are no longer separated from the Most Holy. We have complete access, there is no longer an obstruction – well, maybe just one. Me. You. Look what Jesus said. “I place my life in your hands!” Can you say that too? Have you done that?

You see, my illumination on that walk, my fear facing walk, revealed that I have nothing to be afraid of. Jesus paid the price. I need only place my life in His hands. Don’t get me wrong, if something jumps out of the woods when I round the fence line of life, I’m going to scream like a girl and run. I’m going to run to the Savior, to the One who separated Himself from His Father so that I don’t have to be separated from the Father for all eternity. Eternity is a very long time…it’s forever…Have you placed your life in His hands?

A new year, a new opportunity. Of course, every second of every day is a new chance. Yes! A chance for what, you say? A chance to be all in. To be all in with what you say? All in with Jesus. Will you be all in this year with Jesus?

Will you take your place in the nativity? Will you walk into the stall? Move right in. Pull up some straw and have a seat. You know you’re part of it, right? You know you’ve been invited, right? The other option is to peek into the nativity, note how cute He is, ooh and ahh over Him, maybe drop off a gift – in the plate or of your time — and just walk away, just get on with our lives.

Isn’t that what we do when we’re not all in, when we dabble? When we’re not completely committed? We peek in on Him. We take a glance and then avert our eyes. We see that hanging out, taking our place beside the manger in the nativity, accepting the birth to rebirth, may require something of us – change — and we just move on. We check Him out but we’re not serious about Him. We speak of Him, but are not committed to Him. Oh, occasionally we go back to the nativity to peek in and see if He’s still there (especially when we need Him or especially when it would look good), and then back to the world. When will He become our world? You wonder that too? I have very few answers, but I got this one. He will become our world when we become serious about Him. When we stop dabbling and move into the nativity.

How do we know if we’re living in the nativity, how do we know if we’re serious about Him? Our lives will speak it! If our lives have been changed by our commitment to Him, we are living in the nativity. If our lives have not changed, we are not living in the nativity. Simple as that. Our lives must be changed in order to live with Jesus. What do you mean, you say? The Word of God says we must be changed. Well, give me the list of rules and I’ll follow them. Show me the dos and don’ts. Follow the Commandments, 1-10 – I can check those babies off. That’s not at all how it works.

It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God. Galatians 6:15-16

Do our lives look different before we entered the nativity and now? Have we shaken off the old ways? Do we still talk the same, act the same, have the same attitudes, work the same? Do we still hold onto grudges, anger, fear? Do we still think the same? Only of ourselves – our wants, our desires? If we do, we’re only dabbling in Jesus. We dabble in church — Easter and Christmas? We dabble in prayer – only when we need something? We dabble in the Word – making it say what we want it to say. We dabble in our relationship with Jesus – on again/off again. Dabbling is dangerous. Why so? Because it’s superficial. We think we’re living in the nativity and we’re not. We think a little bit of Jesus will do us. We think we can have Jesus without changing. It’s just not possible.

I appeal to you brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

It doesn’t mean we just do things differently or that we stop or start new behaviors. It means we become new people. It means we live differently. Make no mistake, change can be a drawn out, laborious process, but a process nonetheless. Remember, a process is a series of actions or steps taken to get to an end. But look at the promise.

And I am certain that God, who began a good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6

He began the good work. He will finish it. He will return. He keeps His promises. Are we done with dabbling? Are we done with the superficial? Are we serious? Are we all in?

There’s a spot in the nativity, right beside the Baby Jesus. Are we changed by this Baby?

I was listening to a Christian radio station the other day on my way home from work. In fact, it was the day after Christmas, December 26. After a Christmas song had finished, the announcer – DJ, came on and said: “Now that Christmas is over we’ll start looking toward the new year.” He said it, just like that. Just like I typed it. With absolutely no emotion. Just another day. Just another announcement. It’s over folks, next… Maybe he just has that kind of voice, maybe he was busy looking over the next announcement, maybe he was just plain glad Christmas was behind him. It just struck me as odd. Christmas wasn’t even cold and we’d bounced right on to the next thing. The biggest event in history didn’t even get 24 hours of recognition.

I wanted to yell wait, stop, holdup dude. I’ve been preparing for months, 22 hours a day. I’ve cooked, cleaned, wrapped, scheduled, partied, and decorated and it’s over – just like that! Say it ain’t so! Christmas can’t be over already.

Well, if truth be told, I’m a little glad Christmas is over too. Sigh. Why so, you ask? To be frank, it’s exhausting. No, I’m not a Grinch – I love, love, love buying gifts for others, I love, love, love my tree and my house being decorated for the Season. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Christmas Season – reflections on the Reason, Sunday worships, time with family. But it starts in JULY!!!! Come on, people. You know, it used to be that Christmas preparations didn’t start until Thanksgiving. A few years ago, they (whoever they are) moved it up to Halloween – costumes and Christmas trees coexisting. Now Christmas is advertised alongside swimwear – the manger beside the patio furniture. What will it be next? July 4 – Uncle Sam and Jesus? Before long Christmas and the Resurrection Cross of Christ will be on the same shelf side-by-side. Then guess what, it will be Christmas alongside Christmas. I’m exaggerating, just a little, maybe.

But wait, just think about that for a minute. The Christmas Season year round. What would that look like? Not the tree, the decorations, the gifts, the celebrations. But the Christmas Reason year round, daily. Celebrating the birth of the Messiah our Savior, 365, every single day of our life – December to December!!

The Savior of the world has come, and I don’t know about you, but I need a saving. By the way, you do too. Shouldn’t we be proclaiming with great enthusiasm and with great emotion that the Savior of the world has come and that He is available to all? Shouldn’t that be the announcement – it’s not over, it’s only just begun! Shouldn’t we be saying look what He has done for me – for you – sent His Son, and He’s yours for the asking? Afterall…

He forgives all my sins (too many to count)
and heals all my diseases (my spiritual, mental and physical ailments – too many to count)
He ransoms me from death (He died so that I would not – in my stead!)
and surrounds me with love and tender mercies. (Morning by morning new mercies I see.)
He fills my life with good things, (too many to count – blessings abound!)
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s (He gives me strength and power to rise above!)
The Lord gives righteousness and justice to those who are treated unfairly.
(The Lord protects His children!)
He revealed His character to Moses and His deeds to the people of Israel.
(He shows us who He is!)
The Lord is merciful and gracious;
(He doesn’t give us what we do deserve; but He does gives us what we don’t deserve.)
He is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.
(His patience and love toward me is unbelievable!)
He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. (With Him, forgiven is forgotten.)
He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does He deal with us as we deserve.
(too many to count)
For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.  (This wondrous love cannot be measured – His love for us is too great!)
He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west.
(He forgives our defiance and makes us willing to obey Him.)
The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.
(He loves us so much that He sent His Only Son to Save us!)
Psalm 103:3-13

The Bible is full of the Reason to celebrate the Christmas Season, year round. Check it out. Commit this year to finding the Reason, to living the Reason, to announcing the Reason. Shouldn’t Christmas be celebrated every single day of our lives? How will we do that this year? How will we keep Christ in our hearts every moment of everyday? Impossible, you say? Not!  He shows up for every celebration, He always accepts the invitation.

Check it out. The picture. Do you see what I see? What do I see, you ask? I see Jesus on the cross on my deck. I know what you’re thinking. She’s lost it. Would you expect anything less from me? Some might look at this picture and see just a stick or a twig blown in by the wind. But, if people can see Mary in a grilled cheese on a plate, I can most certainly see Jesus in a stick on my deck. They say, Jesus is where you look for Him, right?

Have we seen Him? Who, you say? Jesus. Hasn’t this Advent Season been about anticipation, preparation, expectation, on the lookout? Remember, the Baby? Did we miss the Reason for the Season? Have we been looking for the Baby? Well, He’s here! Glory to God!

Eight days after birth, Mary and Joseph took their baby to the Temple for the ceremonial circumcision and naming. They named Him Jesus. While at the Temple, they met up with a man named Simeon. You see, Simeon was a righteous and devout man who lived in Jerusalem. The Spirit lived in him, and he was anxiously anticipating, preparing, expecting the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. In fact, the Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had actually seen the Messiah. Simeon was on the lookout. On that eighth day, the Spirit led Simeon to the Temple . There he met Mary and Joseph. He took the Baby into his arms, held Him close and softly spoke:

“Lord, now I can die in peace!
As you promised me,
I have seen the Savior
you have given to all people.
He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
And he is the glory of your people Israel!”
Luke 2:29-32

Simeon was looking for the light that would reveal God to the nations. The One that would come to console, comfort, help, rescue, not just Israel, but all mankind. The Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. The One John had foretold. Upon picking up that baby, he exclaimed: “Lord, now I can die in peace! As you promised me, I have seen the Savior you have given to all people.” Can we say the same? Have we seen Him? Can we die in peace?

When we think about it, it’s so hard to fathom. A Baby is such a strange way to save the World. Isn’t it? Simeon didn’t think that though. He instantly recognized the Savior because he had been looking for the Savior. You see, he had been waiting, expecting, preparing, on the lookout for Him, the Savior, the Messiah, the Promised One. Simeon followed the nudge of the Holy Spirit and saw Jesus. Do we? Have we followed the nudge? Have we stepped forward when stirred to pick up the Baby, hold Him close, speak in awe – I have seen the Savior?

Moreover, do we tell others we have seen the Savior?

Anna the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was by now a very old woman. She had been married seven years and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area, she worshiped night and day with her fastings and prayers. At the very time that Simeon was praying, she showed up, and broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.
Luke 2:36-38

Upon hearing Simeon’s words, Anna recognized Jesus. Upon recognizing Jesus, she broke into praise. Anna then told everyone who had been waiting for the promised King – I have seen Jesus! Anna told everyone who needed help, rescued, saved – everyone who needed Jesus – the Savior has come!

Just like the night wind said to the little lamb – Do you see what I see? A star.
Just like the little lamb said to the shepherd boy – Do you hear what I hear? A song.
Just like the shepherd boy said to the mighty king – Do you know what I know? A child.
Just like the king said to the people everywhere – Listen to what I say! The Light.

Simeon and Anna were looking for Jesus. They found Him. We need only look too. We will find Him.

You do know we’re having a baby tomorrow, right? Had you heard that? Are we ready for it? Not Christmas silly, the baby. There’s lots of preparation that takes place before a baby comes, right? Babies change our lives, completely upside down, right? Not only a newborn coming into the world, but in a way when the baby arrives, we too are reborn. Old habits, old routines, chucked right out the window. Right?

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn. Luke 2:6-7

So, what are we going to do about this baby? Anything? Remember the story of Lazarus, Jesus’ friend? Lazarus died. Jesus raised him from the dead.

Many of the people were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together to discuss the situation. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. John 11:45-47

See there, the Pharisees and the leading priests were asking the same thing. What are we going to do about this baby?

You know, a baby changes everything. Babies, this Baby, changed the course of the world. A world headed for eternal damnation to a world of eternal restoration.  Will this Baby change us? What will happen if we don’t allow ourselves to be changed, to experience new birth, to be reborn?

So, what are we going to do about this Baby? You know, the one swaddled at birth and placed in a manger. You know, the one swaddled at death and placed in a tomb.

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and He was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. This light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:1

The light that gives light to all mankind left behind the cloths in the manger and the cloths in the tomb. He was born! He did die! He is risen! Indeed.

So, what are we going to do about this baby?

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the sky look down where He lay. The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby awakes. But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky. And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay. Close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care. And take us to heaven, to live with thee there.

Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What’s Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What’s in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call’d,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself. (2.2.38-49)

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

So what’s in a name? Poor Romeo and Juliet, they had their issues, didn’t they? Romeo had the wrong name. He was born a Montague. He was born an enemy of the Capulets. Remember the feuding families? Kind of like the Hatfields and McCoys, West Virginia style, right?!?! Juliet blurts out, basically, what’s the big deal, it’s just a name, your name doesn’t make you who you are, you are who you are, regardless of what you’re called. A rose, is a rose, is a rose. But the name Montague meant something to the Capulet family. The name had meaning.

About 1500 years before Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet, the most meaningful name was mentioned, before His birth. A name from the House of David.

“You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
Luke 1:31-33

“For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:20-21

So, what’s in a name? Do you think Mary and Joseph were wondering that too? Why the name Jesus? Why not Joe, Jr.? Why not after Mary’s dad? Why not after Joseph’s great uncle Earl? Did they know what that name meant? Did they know what that name would represent? Maybe. Maybe not. The Bible tells us and shows us so plainly and comprehensibly what the name Jesus means.

Baby Jesus. Savior. Messiah. Almighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. Immanuel. Redeemer. Word of God. Light that Shines in Darkness. The Alpha and Omega. Shepherd. Son of Man. First and Last. Creator. Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Lamb of God. Son of Man. Hope of the World. Bread of Life. Christ Jesus. God. Holy Spirit. Father. Abba. Triumphant. Strength. Amen!

So, what’s in your name? What does your name mean? Not your given name, your newborn name, you know, child of the risen King.

See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! 1 John 3:1

The Bible tells us and shows us so plainly and comprehensibly what our name means too. Humbled. Christian. Disciple. Heirs. Holy Nation. Lambs. Royal Priesthood. Loved. Forgiven. Redeemed. Righteous. Child of God. Faultless. Sinless. Chosen. Son. Daughter. Gift. Image of God.

Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross. Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of the heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

Names really do mean something.

For that name which is ever part of me
Jesus, take all myself.

I learned something recently and I want to share it with you.  One of those things I’m sure I’ve read a thousand times, maybe not that many, but a lot. I’ve read the Book of Luke before. I’m sure you have too.  Look what the Lord said to Zechariah:

For he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or hard liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. (NLT)

For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. (KJV)
Luke 1:15

Oh my goodness! Did the earth just stop rotating? Think about that for a minute. John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit of God – you know, the essence of the Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace – God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity, before birth! The Holy Spirit, the power of God within us, inhabiting one of His chosen before he was born, in the womb, in utero. Frankly, this rocked my world! John was Spirit filled before delivery. Elizabeth carried John. John carried the Spirit. If John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit before he was born, what does that say about the sanctity of life?

I wonder how Elizabeth felt while John was being fearfully and wonderfully made inside her? I wonder if Elizabeth and Zechariah really understood the impact of the angel’s message?  The Holy Spirit had not yet been made available to all believers. Yet the Spirit of God was always active, even in the beginning.

The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface. Geneses 1:2

You see the Holy Spirit was the power behind John’s life and it is also the power behind our new life in Christ. It powered John’s birth and it powers our rebirth. Now I’m no John the Baptist, but I have been chosen to receive the Spirit, just like you. Look here:

How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ. Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:3-6

We were chosen even before creation. Get it? We were created before creation. Not physically created, but made a part of God’s plan. While the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface. Say that a few times and let that sink in. While the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the earth we were in God’s plan.

A plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure. And this is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ – everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as he decided long ago. God’ purpose was that we who were the first to trust in Christ should praise our glorious God. And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, who he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us everything he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people.

Ephesians 1:9-14

Here’s the point, John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit to be used by God. Nothing that John the Baptist accomplished could have been accomplished had the Holy Spirit not been living in him. Look what his job was – to prepare the way of the Lord! Just like John the Baptist, nothing we accomplish for God can be accomplished without the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.

For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death…You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. Romans 8:2,9

The power that hovered over the earth before it was formed, that filled the unborn child in Elizabeth’s womb, that rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven so that the Spirit could be available to all started with a baby, born in a manger.