We began this Advent season on the Sunday following Thanksgiving by focusing our attention on Mary, the teenager chosen by God to bear the Holy seed and bring forth the Savior of the world.
We questioned whether or not this girl-child would have surrendered to the angelic invitation had she known the suffering that lay in His, and her, future.
We closed that devotion by reminding ourselves that Mary’s faith-filled response should also be ours, even when we know there will be crosses to bear and tears to shed: “I am the Lord’s servant, May your plan for my life be fulfilled.”
(Relight first purple candle.)
On the second Sunday—last week—we lit the Bethlehem Candle or the Candle of Preparation, by questioning Joseph Mohr’s sweet lyrics to the favorite Christmas hymn, “Silent Night.” We concluded that the calmness he described could not be found in the world surrounding that holy scene in Bethlehem; rather, it lies within those of us who recognize and accept Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
(Relight the second purple candle.)
Today we will light the pink candle which is the candle of joy.
(Light the pink candle).
If you or I had planned the first Advent of Christ, it probably would have looked quite different than the scenes described in the Gospels. I certainly wouldn’t have chosen a teenager—a girl so young and inexperienced--to take on the responsibilities as the “mother of the Son of God.” I would have sought out a more mature candidate, one who looked the part; one who carried herself with sophistication … like royalty.
And a carpenter? Surely the earthly father of the King of the Universe should be a man of distinction; a physician, perhaps, or even a priest would have been appropriate. But a carpenter? I think not!
If I had been choosing the location for the nativity to take place, I would have selected a palace or a fine dwelling in uptown Jerusalem; certainly not a dank and smelly cattle stall behind an inn in Bethlehem. Who ever heard of a king being born in a cow shed and his first cradle being a manger of straw?
The kings from a distant country apparently had come to the same conclusion, for when they followed the star to Jerusalem, they went straight to Herod’s palace to inquire: “Where is He that is born King of the Jews, for we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” By the time these travelers reached Jerusalem, the family had moved from the grotto behind the inn into more suitable accommodations, but it was still far less than regal housing. Yet, the gifts they brought -- gold, frankincense, and myrrh -- spoke of tribute suitable for a king.
● Gold has always been associated with royalty, and the wise men honored Jesus as the King of kings. In today’s market, gold is worth over $1,800 per ounce. It is definitely the resource of kings.
● Frankincense: In those days, was most commonly distilled into oil that was known for its anointing and healing powers and was used to treat every conceivable ill known to man. Frankincense was valued more highly than gold during ancient times, and only those with great wealth and abundance possessed it.
● Myrrh is a perfume that is often used in embalming. This aromatic oil foretold Jesus’ suffering and death as the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of all mankind.
A few years ago, Mark Harris composed the lyrics to a contemporary Christmas song recorded by the group 4Him. It is written as if Joseph were asking some of the same questions I have raised here. “Why me,” he asks, “I’m just a simple man of trade? Why Him with all the rulers in the world? Why here inside this stable filled with hay? Why her, she’s just an ordinary girl. Now, I’m not one to second guess what angels have to say; But this is such a strange way to save the world.”
The nativity isn’t the end to the bizarre story. This King, born in a cattle stall, entrusted to the upbringing of an ordinary girl and a simple carpenter, worshiped by shepherds and revered by kings, willingly died on a cross as the once-for-all sacrifice for sin. Absurd! You or I would have orchestrated something a bit more spectacular and regal. Yet, when you believe, you realize that this too was the fulfillment of God’s words spoken through the prophet Isaiah hundreds of years earlier. “He [the Christ] was wounded for our transgression and bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”
Even so, I must say I agree with Mark Harris’s conclusion: “What a strange way to save the world!”
We questioned whether or not this girl-child would have surrendered to the angelic invitation had she known the suffering that lay in His, and her, future.
We closed that devotion by reminding ourselves that Mary’s faith-filled response should also be ours, even when we know there will be crosses to bear and tears to shed: “I am the Lord’s servant, May your plan for my life be fulfilled.”
(Relight first purple candle.)
On the second Sunday—last week—we lit the Bethlehem Candle or the Candle of Preparation, by questioning Joseph Mohr’s sweet lyrics to the favorite Christmas hymn, “Silent Night.” We concluded that the calmness he described could not be found in the world surrounding that holy scene in Bethlehem; rather, it lies within those of us who recognize and accept Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
(Relight the second purple candle.)
Today we will light the pink candle which is the candle of joy.
(Light the pink candle).
If you or I had planned the first Advent of Christ, it probably would have looked quite different than the scenes described in the Gospels. I certainly wouldn’t have chosen a teenager—a girl so young and inexperienced--to take on the responsibilities as the “mother of the Son of God.” I would have sought out a more mature candidate, one who looked the part; one who carried herself with sophistication … like royalty.
And a carpenter? Surely the earthly father of the King of the Universe should be a man of distinction; a physician, perhaps, or even a priest would have been appropriate. But a carpenter? I think not!
If I had been choosing the location for the nativity to take place, I would have selected a palace or a fine dwelling in uptown Jerusalem; certainly not a dank and smelly cattle stall behind an inn in Bethlehem. Who ever heard of a king being born in a cow shed and his first cradle being a manger of straw?
The kings from a distant country apparently had come to the same conclusion, for when they followed the star to Jerusalem, they went straight to Herod’s palace to inquire: “Where is He that is born King of the Jews, for we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” By the time these travelers reached Jerusalem, the family had moved from the grotto behind the inn into more suitable accommodations, but it was still far less than regal housing. Yet, the gifts they brought -- gold, frankincense, and myrrh -- spoke of tribute suitable for a king.
● Gold has always been associated with royalty, and the wise men honored Jesus as the King of kings. In today’s market, gold is worth over $1,800 per ounce. It is definitely the resource of kings.
● Frankincense: In those days, was most commonly distilled into oil that was known for its anointing and healing powers and was used to treat every conceivable ill known to man. Frankincense was valued more highly than gold during ancient times, and only those with great wealth and abundance possessed it.
● Myrrh is a perfume that is often used in embalming. This aromatic oil foretold Jesus’ suffering and death as the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of all mankind.
A few years ago, Mark Harris composed the lyrics to a contemporary Christmas song recorded by the group 4Him. It is written as if Joseph were asking some of the same questions I have raised here. “Why me,” he asks, “I’m just a simple man of trade? Why Him with all the rulers in the world? Why here inside this stable filled with hay? Why her, she’s just an ordinary girl. Now, I’m not one to second guess what angels have to say; But this is such a strange way to save the world.”
The nativity isn’t the end to the bizarre story. This King, born in a cattle stall, entrusted to the upbringing of an ordinary girl and a simple carpenter, worshiped by shepherds and revered by kings, willingly died on a cross as the once-for-all sacrifice for sin. Absurd! You or I would have orchestrated something a bit more spectacular and regal. Yet, when you believe, you realize that this too was the fulfillment of God’s words spoken through the prophet Isaiah hundreds of years earlier. “He [the Christ] was wounded for our transgression and bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”
Even so, I must say I agree with Mark Harris’s conclusion: “What a strange way to save the world!”