You could have

 You could have come in majesty

With splendid crowns and royal robes

But came a simple, helpless babe

To people who were very poor

 

You could have had a kingly bed

With satin sheets and silver posts

And golden netting up above

But chose a feeding trough instead

 

You could have had the emperor

Attend your coming on his knees

But chose instead some shepherds who

Were ordinary as the night

 

You could have saved the very rich

And left the rest to rot and burn

But chose to come for all of us

Who’d turn to you in simple faith

 

You showed us that the finer things

Aren’t really very fine at all

When they’re compared with just a babe

Who’s very God in very flesh

The rush

 In the harried Christmas rush

Buying presents by the score

Let’s go check just one more store!

All at once we sense a hush

 

We’re drawn back two thousand years

Out with shepherds, flocks by night

Suddenly angel light

Holds out hope to quell our fears

 

On beyond our hurried fun

Is the angel’s holy voice

There’s a reason to rejoice

Though our shopping's never done

 

It’s about a single birth

God has come to live as man

All our presents never can

Match that holy baby’s worth

Advent 22 post 16 Because

 Because of Your birth

I can celebrate my rebirth. I’ve been born again to abundant life.

 

Because You chose Mary

I know You use people who have hearts to serve You. My qualifications aren’t Your focus.

 

Because of Mary’s song of praise

I am encouraged to praise You even when I don’t have all the answers. If You ask me to do something. I can be grateful that You have chosen to use me and I can trust that You will see it through.

 

Because You chose a humble manger

I better understand that trappings don’t matter. You came to serve, not to be served.

 

Because You chose shepherds as your first visitors

I know that You include everyone. You’re not looking for credentials. You welcome ordinary folks, like me.

 

Because of the angel army

I know the hosts of Heaven worship You and we are invited to join them.

 

Because You fulfilled prophecy

I am assured that You are indeed Messiah. You came to set us free, inside and out, now and forever!

 

Because of the visit from the Wise Men

I know You are Messiah for all, the King of the Jews and the reigning King of All for All Ages.

 

Because of their gifts

I get a glimpse of who You are even when You were a young child, King of Kings, Great High Priest, and Perfect Lamb.

 

Because You are Jesus (The Lord Saves)

I am rescued and safe in Your arms, forever.

 

Because You are Immanuel (God With Us)

I am never alone. You have promised to be with me always.

 

Because You are God Incarnate (Love in the flesh)

I am content knowing that I am a child of God, enfolded in Your love. I don’t have to work for Your approval.

 

Because You are Joy

I am freed to live in joy regardless of circumstances. I belong to You and Your promises are true.

 

Because You are the Prince of Peace

I am at rest. There is turmoil in this world, but I dwell in You.

 

Because You are the Hope of the World.

I am confident of my present and my future because You control both.

Advent 22 post 15

 The angels invited the shepherds,

Humble men of poverty,

The star guided the Wise Men,

There was a King they wanted to see.

What a picture this story paints

God’s salvation is for everyone,

Rich and poor, wise and simple,

All are embraced by God’s loving Son.

Salvation is meant for all mankind,

The work of God’s mighty hand.

It’s His desire we receive His Son,

That’s always been God’s plan.

Thank You, Lord, for extending Your invitation to everyone. Give me a heart to love Your children – all of them, not just those I find likeable or deserving. May my life reflect Your beauty. May others see Your love in me. Amen

Advent 22 post 14

 Matthew 2 1-11

We are Magi from the East

And we have travelled far

To see the newborn Jewish King

Led by the Bethlehem star

We didn’t come unprepared 

We carefully chose the gifts we'd bring

Gold was an obvious choice

A gift to honour the newborn King

Our other gifts?

Frankincense and myrrh

An incense and a spice

One to mark a holy priest

One to make ready a sacrifice

Finally seeing the mother and Son

Try to imagine the wonder we felt

There was only one natural response 

We approached in reverence and humbly knelt

Over the years our titles have varied 

We’ve been called Kings and Wise Men, too

But honestly we were mere seekers

Seeking the Truth, just like you.

If there is anything that distinguishes us,

That somehow makes us wise

It’s really found in simple things

Wanting to see Him with our own eyes 

And when we saw Him, we worshipped 

We knelt before Him in awe

We gave Him gifts to honour Him

And praised God for all we saw

Perhaps herein lies wisdom 

It’s shown in reverent humility 

Recognizing that God is sovereign 

Over all that is and is to be

So when He invites you, come promptly

Love Him with soul, mind, and heart

Bow down and humbly adore Him

And give Him your best, all that you are

There is a lot that we do not know about the Wise Men. We don’t know exactly where they came from, how many there were,  when they actually arrived. But we know what we need to know. They came looking for Jesus even though it involved a long journey. They brought precious gifts. When they saw Him, they knelt before Him and worshipped. We, too, would be wise to seek God, to draw near to Him whether or not it is convenient or easy. We owe Him our best. And our response to Him should be one of awe and worship. Because of Jesus we have access to the Father, how foolish we would be to ignore that. How wise to follow Him.

Lord, help me, like the Wise Men, to come to You, regardless of convenience or ease. And let me offer worship that pleases You. Help me to remember that wisdom lies in seeking You. Amen

Advent 22 post 13

 Luke 2.36-38

I spend my time in the temple to worship God with fasting and prayer.

There’s no other place I’d rather be – day and night, I’m always there.

So when I heard Simeon talking and saw him with the baby boy,

I knew at once He was Messiah, imagine my gratitude and joy!

I couldn’t wait to share the story – there were others awaiting this King.

They were all beyond excitement when they heard the news I had to bring.

I wonder how His parents felt with all the attention and prophecy.

Overwhelmed, I suspect, but filled with awe and expectancy.

Anna is another person that I rarely think of as ‘part of the story.’ There are only three verses in the Bible about her. But what a testimony to her and her love for God that Luke would choose to include her. She had been widowed for many years and spent her life worshipping God. God honoured her by revealing His Son to her and letting her share the news with others. Even when we are old like Anna and Simeon, God remembers us and has a purpose for us.

Forgive me, Lord, when I take for granted the miracle of Christmas, when all the celebration becomes more important than seeking Jesus. Let me learn from Anna and Simeon that the joy of Christmas is in seeing Jesus. May He be the joy of my heart! Amen

Advent 22 post 12

 Luke 2.22-35

I knew I must go to the temple today.

Why? I really didn’t know.

I couldn’t explain the strong urge I felt,

God’s Spirit just told me to go.

 

I hadn’t been there very long

When I saw a young couple with their son.

My heart was overcome with joy

I knew this was God’s Holy One.

 

He was only a tiny baby

Maybe that’s a bit of a surprise.

But I knew instantaneously

The Messiah lay before my eyes.

 

I took Him in my arms and praised Him,

The Shining Light for all mankind.

Sadly some will hate and reject Him,

Others in Him their joy will find.

 

God had promised me long ago

That I would see His Chosen One.

Now I have held Him in my arms,

I praise God for all He has done!

 

Now I can die in peace,

The Messiah has arrived!

I may be approaching the end of my life,

But I’ve never felt more alive!

 

 

When I remember the “Christmas story,” I rarely think of Simeon. But consider him for a moment, a man so devout that his heart’s greatest desire was to see God’s Messiah. And God honoured his devotion with a promise that he would indeed see Him before his own death. The Spirit led Simeon to the Temple while Mary and Joseph were there to present Jesus to the Lord. Simeon immediately knew who Jesus was when he held Him. I wonder if he was surprised that the Messiah was a tiny baby or if he had expected that. Regardless, he was satisfied! He was grateful to see Jesus and said he could die in peace now. Oh that my heart would find its desire satisfied in Jesus alone!

 

 

Lord, Simeon’s deepest desire was to see You. May that be the desire of my heart, too. Forgive me, Lord, for taking the blessing of Your constant presence with me for granted. Open my eyes to really see You and my heart to acknowledge and enjoy Your nearness. And, like Simeon, may I be filled with gratitude and with Your peace. Amen.