What do you think it was like? You know, before Jesus left his heavenly throne outside of time and space to be Emmanuel—God With Us, confined in time and space? We can only speculate. But still… don’t you kind of wonder what it was like before an eternal God humbled himself and entered humanity? Can you imagine the conversation between Father and Son?

F: “Are you ready, Son?”

S: “We promised them eternal life before the beginning of time, and we don’t lie” (Titus 1:2).

F: “You ARE God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, and One with me” (Nicene Creed).

S: “It’s the only way, Father. No man can redeem the life of another (Psalm 49:7). We told them to be perfect as you are perfect (Matthew 5:48). And yet, they all have sinned” (Romans 3:23).

F: “Even though all things were made through you, for them and for their salvation you will be made nothing. You will take the very nature of a servant and be made in human likeness” (Nicene Creed and Philippians 2:7).

S: “Since your children have flesh and blood I too will share in their humanity so that by my death I might destroy the devil and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For this reason, I have to be made like my brothers in every way that I might make atonement for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:14-17).

F: “You will suffer when you are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).

S: “I will be able to sympathize with their weaknesses because I will be tempted in every way just as they are—yet I am without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

F: “You will be despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53:3).

S: “I will be pierced for their transgressions and crushed for their iniquities and they will all turn away from me” (Isaiah 53: 5-7). Even you, my God will turn away from me. Even you will be far from my groaning” (Psalm 22:1).

F: “Son, I will make YOU, who have no sin to be sin for them, so that in YOU… they might become MY righteousness” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

S: “And Father, I will tell them that it is your will that everyone who looks to me and believes in me will have eternal life” (John 6:40).

F: “I so love the world, that I am giving you, my one and only son, that whoever believes in you will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Are you ready?

S: “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10).

F: “The time has fully come. I send you, my Son, to be born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under law, that they might receive the full rights of son” (Galatians 4:4-5).

And in a quiet, simple, private moment a baby was born. And my world changed forever.

My heart swells with wonder as I consider a God who knew everything he would endure and still chose that path for me.

All of sudden my late nights, long to-do list, attempts to create the “perfect” Christmas, and “sacrifices” for others at home, church, and work don’t seem so remarkable. Instead, my mind shifts to the amazing gift of Jesus and the opportunities I have to share him with others.

Quietly. Simply. Privately. Knowing Jesus will change their lives forever.

Shepherding. Not the most glamorous job. Caring for animals at all hours of the day. And not beautiful steeds that follow every command, but slow, dirty, dumb sheep who would wander away from the flock and get caught in thorny bushes. Being a shepherd was burdensome work, considered unskilled labor and usually relegated to the lower strata of society.

Yet, shepherds were the first people to hear that the Messiah, the Savior of all the world, was born. God chose some of the lowliest people by the world’s standards to be witnesses of the holy choir of angels announcing the Savior’s birth. The shepherds left their flocks, entrusting them to God’s care and went to see for themselves. So, they were not only the first to hear about the Savior, but the first worshipers to see him with their own eyes… from the fields of Bethlehem to the cradle of the Savior of the world!

Then in stark contrast, we see some others God chose to be among the first from a distance to learn about the Savior’s birth.

After [the wise men] had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Matthew 2:9-11).

Wise men. Influential advisors to the king, knowledgeable in astronomy. These wise men knew that this was no normal heavenly body in the sky. They were well versed in Scripture’s prophecies to know that this was the star that was leading them to the Savior. When they arrived at the place where the Christ Child was, they presented him with their very costly gifts. They too, like the shepherds, worshiped the Savior. They understood that this little child was more important than any earthly king they served. They knew this child deserved their worship and praise.

What about you? Have you been called to a high position in life, or would the world consider you to be of lowly status? No matter who you are, what you do for a living, where you live, your age, race, or nationality—none of it matters. God sees you as his child. You are worthy of his salvation, not because of who you are or what you’ve done, but because of his mercy and love. When he sees you, he sees Jesus, the babe who humbled himself to come to earth, live a perfect life, and die the death you deserve. When he sees you, he sees a white robe of righteousness.

You are part of God’s story as much as the shepherds and wise men. You are chosen. You are part of God’s royal priesthood. You are God’s treasured possession. What high status he has given you! Live in confidence knowing that Jesus came for you!

The wise men followed the star as far as Jerusalem. Were they surprised that their inquiries as to the whereabouts of the Messiah were met with confusion, and not, “right this way”? Wasn’t everyone aware something extraordinary had taken place? Wasn’t everyone looking for the promised Son? With guidance from the Jewish leaders, who we’d think would be eager to join the wise men in their quest for the Messiah, they headed to Bethlehem and finally arrived at their destination. And they were overjoyed!

What did Mary and Joseph think of the strangers at their door? If they had started to think of Jesus as a normal child, this was their reminder he was the promised Messiah. The wise men bowed to worship this young child years before Jesus began his ministry as they worshiped through eyes of faith!

Their gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh were gifts suitable for a king, and apart from the expensive jar of perfume poured out at his feet, would likely be some of the most extravagant gifts Jesus received.

And then the Magi offered one last gift to this king who held their adoration. When told in a dream not to go back to Herod, they obeyed, giving Joseph time to pack up his family and move them out of Bethlehem before Herod unleashed his wrath.

My life is a sharp contrast to these wise men. I am not always so overjoyed to spend time with Jesus. At times reading my Bible becomes one more thing to check off the list. I’ve mumbled my way through the liturgy and listened half-heartedly to the sermon; mindlessly invited him to be my guest at dinner without worrying about what I say at the table.

Too often, my worship is clouded with doubt. Will You show up, Lord? Do you have this under control?

More often than I want to admit, I’ve brought just my trinkets to Jesus. I am guilty of putting in only so much effort, serving only so much, and complaining when I break that threshold.

And though I am aware of what God asks of me, I am not always so quick to fall in line with God’s will. I turn to grumbling instead of gratitude, and to disrespect (in my mind if not vocally) instead of humble submission.

These men of high standing were unashamed in their pursuit of Jesus. They unabashedly showed their joy and reverence. They brought the Messiah costly gifts, and they humbly obeyed God’s sovereign will. Oh Lord, who brought me the greatest gift possible—salvation—work in my heart, that I may do the same!

The Magi did not know what they were doing when they approached King Herod. They did not understand the depths of pride and hatred that resided in Herod’s heart. They had simply come to the king in search of the King of kings, and their goal was to worship the Savior. How were they to know that Herod intended to use them for evil? The situation could have been a disaster!

Herod’s goal was death to an apparent usurper rather than worship. This savior, this “king,” was a threat that needed to be destroyed. Herod summoned the Jewish leaders to find out where the prophets said the Messiah would be born. Bethlehem was the answer. Herod sent the Magi to Bethlehem, not because he supported their mission to worship the Lord, but because he wanted Jesus dead.

Herod’s goals were of no consequence to God. God was in control then, as he always is now. God’s goal was to give the Magi the opportunity to worship. He warned the Magi in a dream not to go back to Herod after they had found and worshiped Jesus. Then he warned Joseph in a dream to take Jesus to safety in Egypt. In the end, God used a proud, tyrannical king to bring praise to himself through the wise men.

Throughout history, God has used governments and individuals, both good and bad, to accomplish his will. This year will be no exception. 2021 will go down in history as another extremely difficult year, for our country, and indeed for the world. A deadly virus and civil unrest could spell disaster. More personally, there may be individuals who seek to stand between us and God. We may be filled with anxiety about the future. We may worry our leaders will take away our religious freedom or that evil people will keep us from our Lord. Yet, even when times are at their most distressing, God is still in control. This Advent season, we remember that God’s goal is to bring us peace with him through Jesus. He gives us opportunities for worship and relief from our fears. He will always accomplish his goals. There is no Herod who can stop him.

When we arrange our manger scene, we typically place the wise men with the shepherds worshiping Jesus in the stable. Although this serene scene serves as a beautiful reminder of Jesus’ early life, it is not historically accurate. Angels appeared to the shepherds in the field the night of Jesus’ birth. The Magi or wise men visited Jesus much later. We can’t be sure exactly how much later, but we know the young family was no longer in the stable but living in a house. And we know that after the wise men returned to their country without reporting back to Herod, he ordered the death of all children two years-old and younger living in Bethlehem. So, it seems likely the wise men arrived sometime within two years after Jesus’ birth. Scripture mentions three gifts, so we often picture three Magi, but like the manger scene, that’s more for our convenience than Biblical accuracy.

Where did these Magi come from? Many scholars believe they came from Babylon. In the Old Testament, Daniel served as chief of the wise men, astrologers, magicians, and enchanters during Israel’s captivity in Babylon. Might he have told of the coming Messiah? Could that be how these men living in a foreign land hundreds of years later would follow a special star they were led to believe signaled the birth of the Messiah? Had the seeds faithful Daniel planted produced fruit centuries later?

Fast forward to when Scripture allows us to witness the Magi going to a large foreign town and boldly asking for help locating the Messiah. Word spread quickly until it reached a very jealous, insecure, violent King Herod. Have you considered how foolish these men may have looked following a star to distant lands and inquiring about a new king? They could have changed their story for fear of incurring Herod’s wrath. But they didn’t. They were bold and eager to share without fear what they knew to be true about Jesus. They were, like Daniel, unabashedly planting seeds, even on the hardest of hearts.

Can we do the same? Can we follow the example of these wise men by faithfully searching for Jesus each day, and never being ashamed or afraid to share what we know to be true?

God could have guided the Magi away from Jerusalem and directly to Bethlehem, but instead he allowed them to go right into a potentially perilous situation. Herod’s jealous rage and violent anger could have snuffed out not only the Messiah, but these wise men as well. When we plan our life, we want the path of least resistance. We’d prefer to hang out with friends and people who believe as we do. But the Lord’s ways are different than our ways. He often takes his people on paths that call on us to trust his wisdom and purpose. He often puts unbelievers in our path. Don’t shrink back, and don’t avoid them! Like Daniel and the wise men, use it as an opportunity to tell them what you know about Jesus.

The pounding on the front door shatters your sleep. Flood waters are rising—you need to get out NOW! Besides your loved ones, what will you grab before leaving? Photographs? Heirlooms? Important documents? What treasures are worth saving?

Mary, throughout a flood of unexpected circumstances, collected, treasured, and pondered everything surrounding the life of her baby boy. Perhaps “all these things” included:

• A life-altering visit by an angel, a mighty messenger of God.
• His amazing proclamation: 1) Mary will become pregnant; 2) God will be the baby’s Father, not her fiancé, Joseph; 3) God’s already named the baby Jesus; 4) Jesus will inherit David’s throne and an eternal kingdom.
• Mary’s fiancé, Joseph, decides to quietly “divorce” his apparently unfaithful bride-to-be. Instead, after his own angelic visit in a dream, Joseph risks his reputation by marrying his virgin bride.
• A forced trip to Bethlehem for a census and taxation. Mary goes into labor, finds no room in the inn, and must tuck her baby into a feeding trough. (A “rustic nursery” before farm chic was a thing!)
• Mary’s barely done laboring, when shepherds rush in with a wild story of a night sky filled with an angel choir and the joyous news that the Savior has been born.

“All these things” were part of Mary’s treasure. More would follow: Simeon and Anna prophesied in the temple. Wise men brought expensive gifts. The family fled in the night, bound for Egypt to escape a murderous king. Fast forward to when Jesus was 12 and stayed behind at the temple in Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph returned, searched frantically, and found him calmly sitting with the religious teachers who were amazed with his insight. Again, we hear, “But his mother treasured all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51).

The Greek word for “treasured” includes the idea of intentionally, faithfully, persistently preserving something—keeping it safe—through all circumstances. Mary couldn’t post on Facebook or Instagram, relying on electronic memories to pop up yearly. She worked to remember and preserve all the details of her life with Jesus. “Pondered” in the text involves putting the incidents all together, comparing them and weighing out the facts. Mary intentionally reviewed everything she’d heard and seen, tucked those memories deeply into her heart, and considered them. She focused on what God had promised in the Scriptures and was revealing in the life of this baby, her son… our Savior.

Life can be hard. It often was for Mary! Rather than complain and long for a different plan, Mary humbly and purposefully weighed out what God had placed before her. She had discomfort and joy, heartache, and peace. And all were tucked safely away, pondered, and treasured, as gifts from her loving Father.

What will we choose to focus on, to ponder this Christmas season? The uneasy dread of a possible illness? The sad reality of fractured traditions and missing family members? Or will we humbly pray, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). Please focus on Jesus, the ultimate Servant, who intentionally came to seek your good through his life of love, death on the cross, and triumphant resurrection. May God help us cling to and ponder the treasure of our salvation today and always.

An angel. A message. Joy.

Simple ingredients for a holiday menu. One angel. One message and joy for billions!

Angels are God’s messengers. They were created and entrusted by God for exceptional service and extraordinary tasks. They were sent to announce world-changing events, to confront and destroy, to encourage, to protect and comfort, to gather the elect, and to sing God’s praises. Not the least of their tasks was to bring joy to the world!

We would agree with those who record such things that it’s an amazing event to be visited by angels, no matter the number. The mere presence of one angel along with God’s brilliant glory out in a dark field gripped these shepherds with terror. Nothing prepared them for such a sight of blinding wonder as it ripped through their senses. In that glorious but frightening light, they heard divine, angelic words: “Do not be afraid,” words only possible because of the breaking news that followed. The long-awaited Savior had come! The Messiah, the LORD, was now on earth, here to save his people! Release and freedom from bondage to sin was theirs. Their relationship with the God of free and faithful love was restored. Great joy, indeed! “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10,11).

News affects people in different ways. Out in the field that first Christmas night the effect of the angel message was immediate. “They spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” Martin Luther took note of the fact that “simple shepherds are now apostles and prophets!” * The joy from hearing the message was too much for them to contain. It couldn’t be kept—it was for all people!

How does the angel message affect us? At times we might feel like a lowly shepherd isolated out in a dark field. Or we might experience the grip of fear by what’s revealed in broad daylight—our failings and sins, misunderstandings, heavy responsibilities, painful illnesses and losses, endless demands and decisions, and the sheer weariness of it all. We go back to the message. The message will probably not change our challenging circumstances, but it sheds light on them; the light of God’s joy that brightens the night and banishes fear. Wrap each troubling thought or circumstance in the angel message and tuck it in with the Christ Child. Then go bring the marvelous message of joy to others. Send a text, make a call, or deliver a card. Just get it out… to your college/apartment roommate, your neighbor, your spouse, children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents, your extended family, your classmate or instructor, your package/food deliverer, your frontline worker, your homebound church member, your caregiver, your co-worker, your congregational leaders.

It’s quite a privilege to be God’s messenger given the task of bringing joy to the world!