"We Three Kings"

Dusty camels lumber across the shifting sands as their bejeweled saddles and weighty packs creak and sway to the rhythm of the night wind. A rich perfume of frankincense and myrrh drifts alongside the travelers as they follow a bright extraordinary star they first spotted in the eastern sky. Is it really a star? Or is it a planet? Maybe it’s the Shekinah glory of God the ancient Hebrew texts describe. I wonder as I wander with this caravan journeying from the Far East to the town of Bethlehem, nestled in the Judean hills. 

Interestingly, Matthew is the only one of the four gospel writers who includes the account of the wise men, a story which nearly 2000 years later clergyman and hymn writer John Henry Hopkins, Jr. would recount in the Christmas carol “We Three Kings.” The song relates the magi’s journey as well as the momentous birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The refrain, which ties all the elements together, highlights the supernatural star that led the wise men to “the Perfect Light” to whom they offered their treasures.  

Like Matthew’s account, the song also describes the costly gifts, including myrrh, which the magi brought to pay homage to the Christ-child. Before His death, Jesus’s friend Mary would offer Him the best she had when she broke open the alabaster jar and anointed Him with expensive perfume made from spikenard. With Christmas just three days away, I ask myself whether this Advent season I have surrendered anew my heart to Jesus and laid my treasure at His feet in worship.   

"Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus"

“Come, thou long expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us;

Let us find our rest in Thee”

The lyrical Christmas carol “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” is one that could answer the question “What Child Is This?” Like a well-wrought poem, in just two stanzas, Methodist hymn writer Charles Wesley’s song accurately and succinctly portrays so much about Jesus. With poignancy and brevity, the carol tells of His birth, His purpose, His mission, His relationship to mankind and His unique connection to Israel.  

Wesley’s words remind of just exactly who Jesus is. He may have entered the world once as a helpless baby born in poverty, but He is for all time the King of kings. While the wise men took Him gifts when they came to worship Jesus in Bethlehem, it is He who offers the world so much more than we can imagine. Wesley’s carol tells us that in addition to eternal salvation, Jesus offers us freedom, rest, hope, and joy. A life with Jesus offers more than we could ever dream, but the key to experiencing that life is to acknowledge Him as king and let Him rule in our hearts both now and through all eternity.

"What Child Is This?"

Growing up, my denomination did not emphasize Advent. The entire focus was on Christmas, both at church and at home, but as an adult I have come to appreciate the contemplative nature of the Advent season which affords me time to really reflect on who Jesus is and my relationship to Him.

The Christmas carol “What Child Is This?” challenges listeners to explore their own thoughts about the Christ-child before offering an answer filled with clarity and truth as it tells the story of Jesus’s life and encourages listeners to praise Him. The song encapsulates the entire message of the gospel while telling us plainly who Jesus was and is:

“Good Christians, fear, for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spears shall pierce Him through,

the cross He bore for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

the Babe, the Son of Mary.”

As Christmas approaches, I pray my heart will not only delight in images of the sweet baby Mary held in her arms in a dusty, smelly stable but that it will also hear the message that even in a manger in Bethlehem, Jesus was silently interceding for me.

"The Little Drummer Boy"

My mom loved all things Christmas, but she especially loved Christmas music which she usually started playing at Halloween. Thanks to her influence, I also developed a deep love and appreciation for Christmas hymns and carols, but one of my least favorites has always been “Little Drummer Boy.” 

Last week during an advent worship service, though, these words from the song caught my attention: “I played my best for Him.” I have asked myself off and on all week whether I am giving Jesus my best this Advent season. And if I’m truthful, I haven’t been. I’ve been distracted by too many activities, focusing too much of my attention on the trappings of Christmas and not the Christ-child. 

Last week’s service helped to redirect my attention toward the Lord whose birth and sacrifice are the only true reason for this season. Yet I still question whether I gave Him my best this last week. I am hoping to be more aware, more present and more intentional about this as I enter into this last week of Advent 2022.

 

It's My Birthday Too

“You say it’s your birthday  

It's my birthday too, yeah

I'm glad it's your birthday

Happy Birthday to you"

-The Beatles                          

“In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.” -1 Timothy 3:11

 “A gracious, generous woman will be honored with a splendid reputation . . . ”

Proverbs 11:16 (TPT)

Today is my grandmother’s 92^nd birthday. It’s also the birthday of my dear friend Gena, whom I often call “Big Sis.” And it’s my birthday too. Through the years it’s been a lot of fun sharing my birthday with these two special ladies. For my tenth birthday I remember my grandmother taking me to my favorite pizza restaurant—just the two of us—even though she didn’t even really care for pizza. Feeling adventurous, she ordered a Hawaiian pizza for herself (mine was cheese only), and then shared with me how she would love to travel to Hawaii someday. She never made it there, but when she was in her 70s, my dad’s intrepid mother went on a mission trip to Guatemala.

Like Grandmother, my friend Gena also has a spirit of adventure as well as a heart for service. One of my favorite birthday memories with her was two years ago when our mutual friend flew from Texas to Florida where Big Sis lives. They surprised me with a phone call asking me to meet them for lunch. I drove over and the three of us had a wonderful day celebrating together.

I have so many memories I treasure of times spent with grandmother and with Gena. But one of the most important aspects of my relationships with each of them is our spiritual connection. They have prayed with me during ordinary times, as well as during crises. They have shared Bible verses with me to encourage and strengthen and guide me. And they have even used scripture to gently rebuke me when I needed it. They consistently cheer me on in all of my endeavors, but most of all, in my walk with the Lord. And I am thankful to share a birthday with two such godly women.   

 

Lessons from Christmas 2021

It’s hard for me to believe as I write this post, another Christmas is over and a new year is beginning. Each year, I eagerly anticipate the Christmas season, and each year I try to place the decorations just so, write personalized cards to friends and family, and buy the perfect gifts for loved ones. I grew up internalizing the idea that Christmas needed to be perfect to be enjoyed. But after I had a colossal meltdown last year—due to the chaos Christmas decorating generated in my home and life—I decided I’d better rethink some things. So, this year I relaxed and aimed for beauty, peace, and joy rather than perfection. In the process, I learned a few things…

Lesson 1: The holidays don’t have to be perfect. (And they won’t be). My house doesn’t have to be Insta-worthy, even in December.

Lesson 2: You can keep decorating up to the last minute. I don’t have to have everything in place by the Saturday after Thanksgiving. In response to this epiphany, I kept decorating until a few days before Christmas. Not because I wanted perfection, but because I wanted beauty and there were some decorations, like the giant wreath on my gate, that had been left behind.

Lesson 3: Jesus really is the reason for the season. All through Advent I continually tried to re-focus on the entire reason we even celebrate Christmas. Focusing on the miracle of Christmas and the amazing Love it signifies, helped re-prioritize my activities and my energy. And brought me the peace and joy the angels proclaimed to the Bethlehem shepherds 2000 years ago.

Ultimately, Christmas 2021 helped me realize the only perfection involved in the holiday is the Christ Himself. And in His light, everything else pales anyway.

My Testimony is His Faithfulness

 Psalm 119:90: “Your faithfulness continues through all generations…”

“Time and time again, You’ve proven You’ll do just what you said. Great is Your faithfulness to me.” –Maverick City Music “Promises”

The other day I was listening to “Promises” by Maverick City Music and told my friend, “That’s my testimony. God is faithful.” Of course, there’s a lot of complexity, depth and breadth to my spiritual journey and my relationship with the Lord. But ultimately, if I had to sum up my beliefs, my experience, and my relationship to the Lord in one sentence, that’s it: “Great is Your faithfulness to me.”

Both Old Testament and New Testament passages in the Bible extol the enduring faithfulness of God in general terms which apply to all believers. And I believe those statements to be true. But my testimony, my witness to His truth, is that He is personally faithful to me. The lyrics of “Promises” proclaim that “Your faithfulness, it never runs out. I put my faith in Jesus, my anchor to the ground, my hope and firm foundation, He’ll never let me down.”

And He hasn’t. He protected me when I nearly drowned, when I fell headfirst out of a car, when I swerved on a busy interstate and spun-out into the median. He’s provided work when I had none. He’s stretched my finances so that I have never missed a bill. He’s brought me prayer partners to encourage, comfort, and strengthen me. He’s comforted me when I’ve lost loved ones. He’s given me strength and courage when I’ve faced all sorts of challenges. I may not always understand His will or His ways, but I can always trust His faithfulness.