J-R (ABC's of Christmas continued)

J-Joseph. Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
There is something about Joseph that makes you just love him the moment you read about him. He is the type of man who is not ready to cast the first stone. He is kind and compassionate. He treated Mary very fairly. It must've been hard to hear her tell him that she was pregnant. But he didn't want to humiliate her or make a spectacle of her. He was going to put her away quietly. But then he had a dream and an angel of the Lord told him it was okay to marry Mary. And that the child she was pregnant with was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

K-Kings. Matthew 2:11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wise men, or kings, followed the star that God put in the sky and it led them to where Jesus was. How awesome it must've been to travel as a King to meet another King and it was the baby Jesus.

L-Love John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Love knows no limits. Love will risk everything, even one's life for another. God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to be born on earth and ultimately to die a very gruesome and painful death. I think a lot of us focus on the birth of Jesus at this time of year, but we are also to remember that Jesus didn't stay a baby. He grew and led an amazing ministry on earth, performing miracles, raising people from the dead, casting out demons, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, befriending tax collectors and adulteresses. He came so that we could have life. He came to die for us. Now that is love.

M-Manger Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. It's hard to get over the fact that Jesus, the Son of God, was not laid in a high fashion crib surrounded by plush blankets in an expensive hotel, no, there was no room for Jesus anywhere. They had to go to a stable to deliver him. They laid him in a manger, a feeding trough for cattle. God isn't interested in the fancy things of this world. After all, God had the angels were rejoicing!!! It really puts things in perspective when you think of the simplistic life that Jesus led during the time that He was on earth. He wasn't remembered for his attire, or home, or his lawn, or the donkey that he rode on...He was remembered for all the lives He touched and impacted for eternity. Doesn't that put it all into perspective? It does for me!

N-Nazareth Luke 2:4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David.
In those days you were known by the city you were born in. I think it is so neat how all the prophecies about Jesus which were predicted in Isaiah all came true and were all fulfilled in the New Testament. Every detail to what Jesus would be named, where he would be born, and how he was to live and die. Details matter to God. I am a woman who likes to pay attention to the details. God put us all on earth during a certain time period for a reason. He allowed us to be in certain families for a reason. He connected us to our extended in law families for a reason. He gave us residences and neighbors for a reason. Nothing is overlooked by God. His main goal and purpose in life is for every man and woman, boy and girl to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Sometimes I joke around and say, I was put in the wrong time period...but I know that God has put all these details in my life for a specific purpose and reason...and that gives me a purpose for living a life dedicated to pleasing God.

O-O Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

P-Peace on earth. Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
Only God can give you the peace that passes all understanding.

Q-Questions. (Jesus at 12 years old) Luke 2:46 ow so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
Jesus amazed everyone who came in contact with Him. Even the scholars in the temple could see He had wisdom beyond His years. What questions were they asking Jesus, I wonder? I bet Jesus was so very kind in answering. He wasn't haughty or rude. He was sinless. I bet it was humbling for the scholars to be asking a 12 year old questions and marveling at his answers.

R-Rejoice. Mary rejoiced after hearing from the angel of the Lord telling her she was to be the mother of Jesus. Even though she was being told she was going to have to endure some future difficult times she rejoiced. How often do we rejoice in our own difficult times? If we know that God is the giver of all things and we trust Him we can rejoice because we know that... A. He is going to be with us through the good and the bad. B. He will never leave us or forsake us. and C. All things work together for good to those who love him.