Inspirations

          When I was in school, I frequently found myself the object of bullying.   In grade school, it was blaming so that the guilty party would go unpunished.  I was frequently blamed and I was too timid and shy to defend myself.  As a result, I often took the blame for the rest of the class when misdeed occurred; I frequently had a place on the "naughty bench" as it was called in my school.  At other times, I have been pushed off swings, called mean names, or punched because I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Eventually, a seasoned teacher and principal realized what was happening and put an end to the bullying.          In high school, I again found myself the object of hostility, not by many but by a few.  One person threatened me to the point I would walk the long way to classes if I could avoid her.  I was hit and kicked by this person only because she could.  Wi...

Growing up in church, we were encouraged to learn Bible verses.  I had a good memory, and I loved learning God's word so it wasn't a problem.   As kids, we often joked about learning John 11:35.  It's a simple verse "Jesus wept."  That's the whole verse right there. Everyone knew that verse because it was easy to learn. Now, 50 something years later,  This verse has more meaning than I ever thought possible as a child and teenager. Then I learned the verse, for no other reason,  than it was simple.   However, as I have gone through life, I have been brought to the realization  that sometimes life is harsh and sometimes the reality of this life makes us sad and we want to cry. We, however, live in an era when we are chided, put down and told that crying is a sign of weakness. Weeping is a bad, taboo; don't do it. If you're sad, you have a problem. But, the problem with that log...

We come to the final players in the nativity story, the Magi. The wise men, kings, of the East.  They traveled miles and years just to get a glimpse of this king, who they understood was a King of kings. When they finally reached Jerusalem,  they asked King Herod about the baby who was destined to be a king. The questions disturbed Herod's peace. Afterall, he was king, and no baby was going to take his place. Right?  of course right. And if Herod wasn't happy, no one was happy. We all know people like him.  People who make sure that their unhappiness spills over on to those around them. So, how did Herod decide to make sure there could be no other king? He decided to kill all the baby boys two years old and under. Now all of Jerusalem was in unrest as well as Herod. But God was there watching and caring for that baby. The Magi whom God had sent on a mission to worship the King of kings were warned by that same God not to go back...

As we think about the Christmas story, the part of the story that seems minor is the shepherds. The humble shepherds were doing what shepherds do; taking care of their sheep. Was it warm?  Cold I have no clue. I imagine that they were out there in the fields, expecting things to be the same as they were every other night. But... this was not going to be any other night. Perhaps they sat around the fire sharing stories; or maybe the night was so still that they sat staring at the stars in silence. however it played out,  they were out in the fields when the angels light up the night sky and spoke their happy greetings. Their instructions were simple. Nothing hard or important; go to Bethlehem and see the child. Did others see the angels?  I don't know. If they did, they did not go see the baby as the shepherds did. For the lowly shepherds, obedience cost nothing but a little sleep. Yet, the blessing they received fro...

For Joseph, obedience took courage and faith. Joseph had been planning and looking forward to a joyous occasion, his wedding. Suddenly, in one day his world was turned upside down. Mary, his bride to be, pulled him aside perhaps as they are walking in the evening; or sitting enjoying each other's company; Maybe, he noticed the somewhat visible signs of pregnancy after her return from visiting Elizabeth. However it happened, his dreams crashed and burned like dead leaves. His dreams and hopes of having a nice quiet home and being a "good Jewish man" were gone. Joseph had a problem. If Mary were pregnant, suspect number one would be him. People would assume that he was the father. But... Joseph had choices, options.  He could publically divorce her. This would get Mary stoned but his reputation is saved, and he knew the child was not his. Or, he could divorce her privately allowing her to live and he could still salvage most of his reputati...

Mary, unlike her cousin Elizabeth, was young. Elizabeth was old and childless. Mary, however, is young and un, married. Imagine her surprise when, as she is going about her daily routines, of cooking cleaning, perhaps caring for younger children, or planting and harvesting, `a heavenly being stops and interrupts and upsets everything with the news that she would soon have a baby. She would not have just any baby, but the son of God, the Messiah. This is great news! For Mary obedience was not, merely, inconvenient it was bound to cause problems. Mary was unmarried and just like any small town, people know your business before you do.  People were going to know that she was having a baby outside of marriage. I know that today it's not a big thing, but in that society, she could have been stoned, killed. That's a huge problem.  If she were not killed, they were sure to treat her as an outcast. still a problem for Mary. ...

If I were to choose one word to describe the birth of Jesus, it would be obedience. The, often selfless, act of choosing to do what you are asked even when it seems crazy, pointless, or a wrong life choice. Obedience is woven all through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Noah did all that the Lord commanded. Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded. Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Ninevah. Nowhere is this more evident than in the story of the nativity. Elizabeth and Zacharias were unable to have what they wanted most, children. They had probably prayed many times over many years asking God for children. only to be met each time with a resounding "no." Yet, as the time comes for Zacharias' division to serve in the temple, Zacharias is chosen to offer the incense. As he was serving, perhaps he decided to ask God one more time for the desire of their heart. God stepped in (I love it when God steps in because miracles ...