The 1st Christmas

What Was the First Christmas Really Like?

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first-born, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

            Luke 2:4-7

            I love the Christmas season.  I love the cooler weather and the activity of the season.  In the past, I sometimes let that activity get to me, as I was scrambling to get those last minute gifts, most often during the day of Christmas Eve.  I would then huff and puff into Christmas Day, thankful that it had finally arrived so it could be over.  As I have grown older, however, my perspective has changed.  I seem to focus more on those close to me in my life and the love that exists between us.  

Therefore, when I knew that I would be authoring a Devotional during Christmas week, one thought kept running through my mind.  What was it like for Joseph and Mary, this young couple in love, during that first Christmas season?  What was their first Christmas really like?  It is really all summed up in the Scripture above.

Mary is pregnant, and not by Joseph.  They are pledged to be married, which had to bring ridicule to them even before their trip began.  They had to travel a distance of approximately 70 miles, and probably took one of two routes, the most direct route being very rugged.  Now, they did not travel in a luxurious SUV with heated seats and surround sound.  They walked and rode on a small donkey, exposed to the elements along the way.  They did not know where they would sleep each night on a journey that likely took at least five days.  Hotels and bathing facilities along the way?  Not likely.

How many of us would sign up for that trip?  Men, is this your ideal hiking trip with your wife?  Ladies, do you want to walk and ride 70 miles over relatively rugged terrain just as you are about to give birth to a child? 

When they arrive, it does not get better.  They are tired, dirty and likely hungry.  The baby is probably moving in the womb, causing great pain to Mary.  They cannot find lodging.  They have absolutely no clue what is going to happen, but for the fact that a baby will soon be born.  So they improvise.  They find a cave or stable.  Are there showers for bathing?  Is there a comfortable bed for Mary as she endures the pain of child birth?  Are there doctors and nurses tending to Mary?  Again, not likely.  Did they ever expect that the birth of their first child would be in this way and in this place?  What a way to start the parenting phase of their relationship!  Yet, it is in this setting and under these circumstances that God chose to bring the Savior of all mankind, men and women alike, into the world. 

So, on Sunday, when friends and relatives are over to your house, everyone is opening gifts before a fireplace, a huge feast is prepared, and as you begin to give thanks to God for all of the blessings in your life, pause and think about Mary and Joseph:  for them, what was that first Christmas really like?

Christmas blessings,

Gerry

The Gift, Part 4

Shared by Margie Johnson

To love the Lord with all your mind,

With all your heart and soul;

To live for Him, is great reward,

And to serve Him…your pleasure and goal.

Please know that His love is so real and so great;

It is yours, if you want it…or not.

But only the one who follows His Son,

Is forgiven of every blot.

My prayer is that this Christmas you’ll see…

Far greater than all you can gain for a fee,

Is the gift that’s not under the tree!

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Gift, Part 3

Shared by Margie Johnson

It’s the gift of life God offers to man

Through His Only Begotten Son;

It’s not mine to give ~ only mine to share,

And it’s offered to everyone.

In order to receive and call it your own,

You must first think, once or twice…

The gift is free; it’s through Jesus given,

Because He paid the price.

So before I go, I must let you know

Though you can’t earn God’s gift of life;

It will still cost you dearly; giving up your own will,

To deny self…is your sacrifice.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Gift Part 2

The Gift, Part 2

Shared by Margie Johnson

If only once-a-year, or two,

Or maybe once-a-week,

We acknowledge that Jesus Christ the Lord

Is real, but for whom we’ve no need…

Then we’ll not understand God’s salvation plan,

To bring us under His wings.

We’ll still be a slave, to sin and the grave…

And death will still have its sting.

God never intended we simply agree

That Jesus is kind and good.

It’s flowers God seeks and call to Himself;

Those whose heart find His Word to be true.

Isaiah 9:6-7

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. 

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

The Gift, Part 1

The Gift, Part 1

Shared by Margie Johnson

Is there room in your heart for the gift from above?

For the gift that’s not under the tree;

The only one that won’t wear out;

The only gift precious…yet free!

The child born of a virgin 2,000 years ago,

Was not created by God above,

But was sent down to earth to save all mankind;

He was sent from the Father, with love.

It was for us He came; his enemies…

Due to our disobedient ways.

It was for us He came to pay the price

To bring us to His heavenly place.

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

The Origin of the Christmas Symbols

THE ORIGIN OF THE CHRISTMAS SYMBOLS

WHY WE DECORATE

Isaiah 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”.

CRECHE:  The first crèche, or manger scene, was created by St. Francis of Assisi in 1224.  He used live animals and people in his scene.  Today, many manger scenes are smaller models of wood or china or other materials.

CANDLES:  The custom of putting candles in windows on Christmas Eve is used by several countries, but always as a guide to the Christ Child, the Light of the World.  It was first brought to America by the Irish.

BELLS:  The custom of bell ringing at Christmas time is a symbol of the happy news of Christ’s birth.

STARS:  The stars are the symbols of the beautiful star of Bethlehem that led the Wise Men to the Christ Child.

POINSETTIA:  In 1828, Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett brought the first poinsettias to America from Mexico.  He was serving as our first ambassador to that country.  The legend is that a Mexican boy had no gift for the Christ Child.  As he knelt to pray, a beautiful flower appeared at his feet.  This flowering plant, the poinsettia, became his present.

HOLLY & EVERGREENS:  In ancient days some people believed that holly would ward off evil spirits.  Christians believe that the berries stood for the blood Christ shed.  The leaves stood for His crown of thorns.  Evergreens stay green all year and bear fruit in the winter.  For this reason, they are a symbol of eternal life.

ORNAMENTS:  The first Christmas trees were decorated with real fruit, flowers and lighted candles.  These ornaments were too heavy and dangerous.  German glass blowers started making lighter glass balls as decorations.

CANDY CANES:  The candy cane has a long history dating back to the 15^th century.  It has changed over the years from a white straight stick candy used to decorate Christmas trees to the current day shape of the Shepherd’s staff, or the letter “J” for Jesus.  The red stripes were added to represent the blood Christ shed for us and the white for His purity.

EMPTY BOX:  The story of the “Empty Box” reminds us that it is not the gift that is given, but the giving with love.  Giving gifts symbolizes the greatest gift of all, God’s gift of Christ Jesus.

May these symbols be a reminder of God’s peace and love that He offers to each of us at Christmas time and throughout the year.

Merry CHRISTmas to each of you.  Remember, JESUS is the REASON for the SEASON!

Ron Hodge

Salvation and Strength

Isaiah 30:15
"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it."

Wise words from the prophet Isaiah.  Lately, in these very reflective days, I have just kept repeating these words to my heart over and over again.  I definitely do not want said of me that I "want none of it".  Actually, I want lots of it.  Frankly, all of it.  Nothing is more helpful to me these days than to rest and be repentant.  Than to be quiet and simply trust Him.  Doing this is saving me and strengthening me.

I don't know how else to describe it to you than to say this; Seek the Lord humbly.  Surrender to Him.  Empty yourself.  Repent and rest.  Quietly trust Him and let Him assure you of your salvation, not only in the eternal sense, but save you also from the oppression of the moment, the pressing issues of this season and all the matters of today.  He will strengthen you and give you what you need.

Wise men and women indeed still seek Him and find Him in trust and quietness. Draw near to Him.  He is not only listening, He is responding to the earnest cry of our hearts.  I know this to be true.

In His Grip,


Pastor Fred