We are coming to the end of another year and the Christmas season and a house full of family fun. These are always times that we anticipate for a long time and when they arrive, they seem to fly by. We trust that your holiday season has been filled with memories and special times. We are looking forward to what the coming year holds and trust you are as well.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep water. The Spirit of God was hovering over the water. Then God said, “Let there be light!” So there was light. Genesis 1:2,3 GW

The theme is consistent and not without significance. Darkness represents a world, life and existence devoid of God. Light represents the introduction of God’s presence and creative power into a lifeless and dark existence.

In Genesis we see a dark earth and the first act of creation is light. Light that makes creation and newness possible. In Revelation we read, “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.” (Revelation 22:5 NIV)

We read in John’s first epistle, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5 NIV) It is no accident and communicates a powerful and meaningful message that Christ’s birth shattered the night skies. Angels appearing to shepherds at night, wise men following a star. John in his gospel declares concerning Christ’s birth, “The real light, which shines on everyone, was coming into the world. “ (John 1:9 GW)

This “dark” condition is the description of every life outside of Christ. Paul put it in these words, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8 NIV)

God’s light (His truth, love, grace and forgiveness) brings new life and new creation to every heart and life that allows it to shine into the darkness of ones spiritual existence.

God’s light provides the plumb line for our attitudes and actions in life. The question that confronts us is, “are we living our life according the the light of God or the darkness of the world?”

God’s light challenges us to continually to allow the light of God’s truth and work of His Spirit to shine in the “dark corners” of our life.

God’s light provides life, hope, newness and direction. When we receive it and embrace it, we experience the best the Lord has for our life. That might make a good New Year’s resolution. To live full in the light of God’s life.

 

I am pleased that after more than a year of struggle with pain and issues related to a herniated disc that I am feeling much better. This Christmas for the first time in five years the entire family will gather in Fort Collins. We are looking forward to that taking place.

The past two months, I had the opportunity to speak at Family Worship Center in Centennial and at Lakewood Vineyard (where son, Christian is the pastor). This next year we are looking forward to a change in Debbie’s work schedule which we trust will lighten the load off of her.

May the richest blessings of Christ be yours this Christmas season and in the New Year.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….  Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I’m a virgin.” The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God. “Elizabeth, your relative, is six months pregnant with a son in her old age. People said she couldn’t have a child. But nothing is impossible for God.”  Luke 1:34-37 GW

How would you respond if an angel appeared to you and told you that the miracle that you hoped for, prayed for was about to happen? Would you be immediately excited and believing? Would you be trying to figure out how it could happen based on your understanding?

I have been thinking about the Gabriel’s appearance to both Mary and Zachariah recorded in Luke 1. They both experienced not just a visit from “an angel” but Gabriel, who is believed to be the highest ranking angel in heaven. Both responded to the announcement of a miracle that was to take place with questions, reservations and unbelief.

ZACHARIAH AND ELIZABETH

Elizabeth, Zachariah’s wife had been barren. In their day this was viewed as a “curse from God.” It seems that this matter had been a continual concern and matter of prayer for Zachariah. One day, he is chosen by “lot” to be “the” priest to enter the temple to burn the incense that was outside of the holy of holies. Incense was a symbol of prayers going up to the Lord.

Undoubtedly Zachariah used this occasion to offer to the Lord the key concern of his life. When the angel appears to tell him his prayers have been answered and his wife would have a baby. Not just any baby, but one who would be a prophet and play and key role in God’s redemptive plan for the world. His “unbelief” is revealed by his asking for proof. (Luke 1:18) The “proof” was not Elizabeth’s obvious pregnancy, but Zachariah becoming mute until the baby was born.

MARY

Jewish tradition tells us that every young girl prayed that she might be “the one” who would give birth to the Messiah. When Gabriel appears to Mary, the announcement didn’t make for sense for her what were obvious reasons…she didn’t yet have a husband.

Zachariah viewed advanced age as an impossible obstacle for God to overcome and Mary viewed her lack of a husband as an insurmountable obstacle. Both of these make obvious sense.

But the Lord after hundreds of years of recorded miracles, was about to intervene in the affairs of these lives and the natural order of the world and humanity. The angel uses Elizabeth’s pregnancy to encourage Mary’s faith and then reminders her, “…nothing is impossible for God.”

MAKE IT PERSONAL

Pondering these events challenges my own faith. As I passed the five year mark since my health crisis, the full recovery that I anticipated and have prayed for has not happened. I continue to work and pray and receive prayer for that which has not yet happened. But I am challenged as to my faith in it taking place. It is easy to view my physical limitations as “it has been too long”…”it is what it is”…”at least I am alive.” Perhaps none of these are all that bad, but….what if I had an announcement that what I have prayed for was going to happen? Would I be like Mary and ask, “How can this be?” Would I be like Zachariah and “ask for proof?”

Even though we believe in miracles, we still at times want to fit them into the box of our own understanding. But a miracle is just that. Something that goes against the natural order of science, rationale and human logic or understanding.

It can apply to a prodigal child coming home. It may be the breaking of a “life-long” habit. It can apply to a physical miracle. It can apply to how the Lord will work to bring about His coming kingdom in the midst of political, economic and scientific realities of our world.

Mary’s resolve is seen in her response,  “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.” (Luke 1:38 GW) That is the attitude of trust. That is submission to the Lord’s will. That is a heart ready for a miracle.