December 25 - Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday, Jesus! Merry Christmas!

Jesus left the starry heavens to save us from our sins. (256) That's it in a nutshell. Go and tell it on the mountain!

More details, more prophecies fulfilled, more "just as it was said". Now, at the foot of every tree, we are all only recipients of grace. (257) Think on that when you unwrap your presents. Now that you've come to the conclusion of the slowly unwrapping of the Greatest Gift, give thanks!

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests." How many years was that the memory verse "my angel" recited on Christmas Eve?
What a sight that must have been for the shepherds to behold - those lucky ducks:) For a brief moment in time, God allows His created angel beings to be seen and heard on earth by His created mankind. When we sing the Gloria in Excelsis as a congregation as part of The Common Service (CW), we join the angels in their worship and song! What a glorious taste of heaven this is when His whole creation will be joined together without separation in voice and adoration to The King!!! I get chills ….

My angel and shepherd 

When your heart burns, you're a flaming match for other hearts. When you're a manger tramp who came with nothing but your ragged heart and leaned in close over that creche, when you've beheld His glory, the white heat of a Love like this - who doesn't tramp out of the manger and into the world with a heart glowing like hot embers in your chest? (258) Go tell it on the mountain! This Love came for the world - for all mankind! We hold this Gift given to us so we can share it with others. Go tell it on the mountain!

Christ, the always Gift for all our days. (259) 

This angel's halo is a little askew!

December 24

This night is Christmas Eve and our church family will be celebrating with choir singing and children testifying to the story of Jesus' birth in front of friends, family and strangers. This night we'll close the service like we do every year with ushers passing out candles, silent prayers that the church doesn't burn down and thankfulness that the fire station is across the street! Candles are lit, one off the other and the lights are turned off and while candles glow we sing "Silent Night".

This night a battle has been waged and won for you. Love had to come back for you. Love had to get to you. The Love that has been coming for you since the beginning - He slays dragons for you. This is the truest love store of history, and it's His-Story, and it's for you. All the other fairy-tale love stories only echo your yearning for this truest, realest one - this one that has its beginning before the beginning of time. This night, you on this visited planet, your rescue is here. You can breathe. (245)

He lays Himself down in your mire.
He unfolds Himself in the stench you want to hide, in that mess that is your impossible, in the mucked straw you don't want anyone to know. 

Rejected at the inn, holy God comes in small to where you feel rejected and small. God is with you now. Wherever you are - in a soundless cry or hidden brokenness or in your ache - God always wants to be with you. You are not ever left alone in this. We are never left alone in this; God is with us. (246) 

At home we put the final nativity figures on the Advent picture made of felt and attached with velcro. We, the manger tramps, who kneel where thrones tremble and demons fall and the self-made crumble and the self-righteous weep.
Tonight there are only manger tramps, who tramp in with all our poverty of spirit … so there can be an abundance of God. (247) 

We lay the final piece into the nativity - a baby.
The greatest Gift laid into our empty hands … (248)

Silent night, holy night … 

December 23

God is with us. God is with us!

Although Jesus was conceived to a virgin, God still gave Joseph to Mary. God provided her the protection of marriage so that while others may not have understood what miracle really happened it kept her safe and taken care of.  God is our Great Provider too!

We've read the words and touched the limbs of our Jesse Tree this Advent in preparation for His coming. God is here! God is with us! It is happening just as he said it would. The prophecies are full of details like this. They're not vague predictions or horoscopes that you could twist with little effort to make your own truth. They're detailed down to places and names and history so that we know that yes! God is with us!

Ann's direction here seems to emphasize the uniqueness and effectiveness of Christianity, the intimacy of our relationship to Christ and the enormity of what His coming really means. It's pretty impressive she could fit that into one chapter!

It is Christmas that first makes the absolute claims of Christ. Like the diagnosis of a doctor, every other religion says that good-enough living will save us. But like a soul specialist, Christianity examines our hearts and says that actually we're all terminal unless we take (have) Christ - that it's Jesus who saves us. (233) 

And like I've said before - you can't have Christmas without also having the Cross - every Christmas tree is shadowed by the Cross Tree: it's at the Tree that God does heart transplants - He takes your heart and does surgery. (233) 

In the care of our own souls, Christianity isn't so much about exclusiveness but effectiveness. What will actually save us? 
And it's the joy of Christmas that offers the gift of exclusiveness - because of its effectiveness to save the terminal soul. (234)
Well that blows away the old excuse "Christianity is only a crutch". It's the cure! The only one!

Beginning with the paragraph on 234 that starts God can't stay away. This is the love story that has been coming for you since the beginning - I go back in my mind to all the Scripture we've read so far. All the prophecies, the kept promises, the misfits and mess-ups and the unfolding of His-story. A love story for us. So God throws open the door of this world - and enters as a baby. As the most vulnerable imaginable. Because He wants unimaginable intimacy with you. (235) 

It cost Him everything to be with you. Who will spend a fraction of time just to be with Him? Who wants the gift of His presence? I thought about that and it made me think of birthdays. Who celebrates a birthday without going to the celebratory birthday party? It does't make sense! Our church has Christmas Day services every year to celebrate Jesus' birthday and I'm sorry to say, most years the attendance has been pitiable. Most churches around here don't even offer it just assuming people will be home opening up presents, hosting Christmas brunch and tending to the turkey in the oven. All in the name of Christmas tradition, one that doesn't include sitting in a church pew hearing the Good News proclaimed of what there is to even celebrate. I'm really not condemning here - I just wish more for the Body of Christ. If we want the gift of His presence, we have that through being in the Word. We have everything Needful because Jesus fulfilled our every Need. Do I need to stay in my pj's until noon? Do I need to host dinner and stay home with a turkey (I mean one you're not related to;)? My prayer for the Body of Christ is that we want to be with the Giver of the Gift this Christmas whether in our church if we're able to or if not, in the Word in our homes recognizing the enormity of the message God is with us and knowing we are so unbelievably loved. That's the gift God wants to give us.

God is with us!

December 22

Today our reading deals with the Annunciation. The angel Gabriel comes to Mary and fills her in on the part she's to play in the coming of the long awaited Messiah. She does ask the question "how will this be since I'm a virgin?" but it's more a question of the type we talked about the other day of wonder rather than of doubt. And she believes. That is a miracle!

Reading my "Martin Luther Christmas Book", I came across some insight into this. The Virgin birth is a mere trifle for God; that God and man should become man is a greater miracle; but most amazing of all is that this maiden should credit the announcement that she, rather than some other virgin had been chosen to be the mother of God." Her response is one of great faith - worthy of imitation! Her response at the end "May it be to be as you have said" is a quote I try to live as a child of God. I want to be able to say to my God no matter the circumstance that comes my way, "OK, Lord. I don't have to understand this, or feel good about it or imagine I'll get through this with my reputation still intact, etc. but may it be to me as you have ordained knowing that you have a plan and a purpose. Knowing you have taken care of my greatest Need."

Just as the virginal conception was the work of the Holy Spirit, so is the faith in our hearts. Mary didn't make anything - God conceived the miracles within her - of Jesus and before that , her faith. And so while I think again, this chapter could be understood correctly, I'm uncomfortable with the phrase she uses throughout "become a space".

I do think the best way to understand what I think she's trying to say is found on page 221 - When you are a space to receive whatever the will of God is in this moment as grace, you take hold of God. You most take hold of God when you simply receive Him in this moment of taking hold of you. I think she's trying to encourage us to take the example of Mary, who in great faith trusted the Lord to work it out instead of trying to work it out for herself. When Christ is in us, we are with Him always. There's no separating the sacred from the secular because it's all sacred. And when our eyes are open to that reality - the way the life for Christ stirs amazing grace within (222) - we see that all is grace through faith in Jesus.

"No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven," says the one who is preparing the way (John 3:27) 222-223. 

Everything is given from heaven. Everything is a gift. Your life becomes a masterpiece the moment you see it as a gift of grace to willingly receive. (223) It's easier to stand with hands wide open to receive the good than it is to accept the hard stuff. But everything is a gift.

This is the chronology of grace, the chronology of Christmas: before we're called to give, we're called to receive. This can be the hardest. We struggle to receive. Sometimes we are better givers than getters. Grace? For me?(223)

Here's where I jump back to my "Martin Luther's Christmas book" - This is the word of the prophet: "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given" (Isaiah 9:6).  This is for us the hardest point, not so much to believe that He is the son of the virgin and God himself, as to believe that this Son of God is ours. That is where we wilt, but he who does feel it has become another man. Truly it is marvellous in our eyes that God should place a little child in the lap of a virgin and that all our blessedness should lie in him. And this Child belongs to all mankind. God feeds the whole world through a Babe nursing at Mary's breast. This must be our daily exercise: to be transformed into Christ, being nourished by this food. Then will the heart be suffused with all joy and will be strong and confident against every assault. (16)

May God give us all the faith and courage to say with Mary, "May it be to me as you have said."

December 21

Locust eating, camel- hair wearing John the Baptist had a job to do and a message to preach -"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."  Why this message? Why make people repent when they may not want to hear that they're poor, miserable sinners? Maybe something happier might be more effective in getting them to listen. Something like - "Hey, everyone! Be happy because a really great guy who is also God's Son has come to walk the earth among us. Isn't that exciting?"

But no, he calls people to repentance for we are sinners in need of a Saviour. We don't know our need is met until we fully appreciate The Need. We don't grasp the significance of The Gift until we understand the significance of our sin. The law must be preached before the fullness of the Gospel is preached. That is John's calling.

Ann didn't touch upon the repentance aspect of it, maybe because she wrote more about it in another chapter. But it is still important to remember something we'd frankly like to forget about sometimes! In order to rest in the "wilderness" she talks about - which I'm all for - repentance comes first followed by the peace of forgiveness and the "rest" that follows. The wilderness offers you grace: we are most prepared for Christ, for Christmas, when we confess we are mostly not prepared. Rest here. There is room in us when we are done with us. (210) Preach it, sister!

It's Saturday and who is insane enough to go to the mall today or any retail establishment? Take this opportunity to stay home and Rest here and happy. You are unconditionally accepted and unbelievably wanted because you don't merely know of Him; you are related to Him by blood. (211) That's the beauty of the Jesse tree - that we can see His plan unfolding throughout time and how we are grafted into that tree by His blood!

Final thoughts for today? You are most prepared for Christmas when you are done trying to make your performance into the gift and instead revel in His presence as the Gift. (211) 

"Unwrapping…" Even if the day finds us out and about, we can still rest in His presence!

December 20

We are down to our final week leading up to Christmas! In less then week from now my family will load up the sleigh  minivan over the river and through the woods - or through Michigan as the case may be - to Grandmother's house we go! Until then, we've got one more day of school to wrap things up until the new year and a few errands to run.
This season has been different on a few fronts. I sent out absolutely no Christmas cards this year. So if you usually get one from us, you can stop looking for it. It ain't coming. And I've done absolutely no entertaining in our home this year.  Hey - I'm just trying to feed my family! And I missed the cut off date for most all of my packages to get in the mail. As Kenny Rodgers once said, "you gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em". On the other hand, it's made for a much calmer home and calmer me which my family appreciates.  I've been able to focus on this crazy book club idea.  And instead of waiting in a long line at the post office, I've had time to read "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" to the kids and go for a family walk that included the best snowball fight ever! And we took an awesome mini vacation to New York City with memories made that we'll cherish forever!  So different isn't necessarily worse.  It can be downright refreshing:)
OK - back to business. We're up to the really exciting stuff - Jesus' coming is really close now and John the Baptist will be sent before him to prepare the way of the Lord! The silence between the Old Testament and New Testament era is about to be shattered. But silence does not mean forgotten! The miracle always is that God is gracious, that grace carries us and breathes life into the dead and impossible places, that grace - a thousand graces- explodes the doubting silence in our hearts. (200)

I thought it was worthy to contemplate the two different kinds of doubt - one that fully lives into the questions, and one that uses the questions as weapons against fully living. (201) referring to the different reactions of Mary and Zechariah as an example. And I say - I think she may be onto something! As I consider my doubts in the future, I'll have to think more about what kind of doubt it is and if it's a kind of weapon that can cause destruction.

And as John comes to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord, I am assured He will prepare your heart for the coming of the Lord.(201)

I'm thinking that if it weren't for going through this book during this Advent season, I'd be way more upset about not getting the Christmas cards out or mailing the packages soon enough (or at all at this point) to get there in time for Christmas. I have such a peace this year! You don't have to earn Christmas, you don't have to perform Christmas, you don't have to make Christmas. You can rest in Christ. You can wait with Christ. You can breathe easy in Christ. (201) OK. Sounds good!

Some real gems at the end of the chapter that I find refreshingly countercultural says - And the good things in life are not so much health, but holiness; not so much riches in this world, but relationship with God; not so much our plans, but His presence - and He withholds no good thing from us because the greatest things aren't ever things.
He doesn't withhold Jesus from you. Christ is all your good, and He is all yours, and this is always all your miracle.(202) Sigh ….

And finally - No matter the barrenness you feel, you can always have as much of Jesus as you want. (202) A comforting thought to end on!

Question #1 - God has seemed silent to me during times when something has been done to me and I've felt like a helpless victim. I wonder what I've done to be treated this way? And even in the rawness of those moments I remember that He became a victim for me.  He lived the ultimate injustice.  He knows just how I feel and then some!

December 19

Concordia Self-Study Bible says that the theme of Habakkuk is to "trust in God's providence's regardless of circumstances." Even in suffering and loss, rejoice! That's also the theme Ann focused on in this chapter.

My insides get twisted up when considering some of realities she states - We all lose every single person we love. There is never another way.  Think about that too long and you find it hard to breathe. (188) Some days it's hard not to panic.(188) That's the truth.

That's the scene in which Habakkuk calls out his message - rejoicing in the Lord happens while we still struggle in the now. 
Struggling and rejoicing are not two chronological steps, one following the other, but two concurrent movements, one fluid with the other. (189) I have that sentence underlined and starred. I have to wrap my head around that one.

Her analogy is perfect for this time of year (here anyways!) As the cold can move you deeper toward the fire, struggling can move you deeper toward God, who warms you with joy. Struggling can deepen joy. (189) 

The secret of joy is always a matter of focus: a resolute focusing on the Father, not on fears. All is fear is but the notion that God's love ends. When does He ever end? When you can't touch bottom is when you touch the depths of God. (189) So, why do I fear? I know His love never ends. Then where is my focus?   Maybe I should read Habakkuk more often!

There are other good one-liners in this chapter,  for sure! I love how it ends … Behold the goodness of the God of your salvation everywhere, and be held - how His love falls like blossoms of grace in December. (190) Something to keep in mind when the snow falls …

Question #1 - I've been waiting for joy to come to me before giving thanks when I should already be giving thanks and rejoicing amid the struggles.

December 18

The book of Esther is definitely unique.  There are no overt reference to God, prayer, etc. But it's the very omission of God that makes it a literary device which enhances the truth that God is present and working through all the seemingly random circumstances.  I find that very intriguing!

Esther herself stands as a "Jesus like" figure, ready to sacrifice herself for her people. It's a fascinating book to read and to learn more about the Jewish festival of Purim and God's continued grace to His people.

This chapter tripped me up and I had a hard time pinpointing why. I didn't disagree with what the author wrote. I thought it was an interesting and valid bridge she made equating us ("us" meaning I would assume Christians primarily in the Western world) with Esther "for such a time as this".  We have been given much, there's no disputing that. The statics she wrote were worthy of stewing on and considering on a massive scale as opposed to what our neighbour so and so next door has. As Christians we also hold in our grasp through grace the eternal gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. We have something everyone  needs all over the world!

What I came up with then, was reading this chapter backwards. Not backwards like Hebrew. Good grief. I mean starting near the end of the chapter. Humour me if you will? This is the love story that has been coming for you since the beginning. That Babe in the manger - He is the Prince on the Cross who saves you with His life, so your identity is no longer wrapped up in being one of the rich ones inside the gate. Your identity is wrapped up in being one of the rich ones inside of Him.(181) Who am I? I'm a redeemed child of God. My very identity is covered in His! I am rich indeed!

When you unwrap your worth in the Gift of Christ, you release your grip on all the other gifts. You are loved and carried and secure, and what else do you need when you have Him? You are free, free, to lavishly give away your gifts when all your value, worth, joy, and riches are in the greatest of gifts. (181) OK. Now go back to the beginning. Because now that my soul has breathed in the sweet air of the gospel, I am looking for a way to express it and she brings in some very realistic needs of the reality of the world we live in and how I might express my faith in it. We are the "ones inside the gate" and we have much to share! Where to start? Look here.

December 17

Micah foretells the coming of the Messiah. Not only that but he pinpoints the exact location of where this birth will be 700 years before the event takes place and goes on to describe the eternal nature of a King that will be everlasting! How's that for a prophet?

The birth of Christ is, for the band of survivors, the saved hushed there in the manger of Bethlehem, the moment of eucatastrophe, of joy - that "catch of the breath, a beat and lifting of the heart."(169)

The unexpected Bethlehem King is the once and coming King, the King of the first and still coming second Advent, the King coming again…" (170) A good reminder that we are in the last days and we can look for a second coming. Come, Lord Jesus!

I laughed at the comment of the sugarplum fairies! "The Nutcracker" usually gets read around here every year! The very trees of the fields are going to dance and clap their hands. The King is coming, and the new Kingdom is stirring. (170)

There is a King born in Bethlehem and on the throne. You can breathe. (170) Letting out a long sigh of relief.

Thanking God for the eucatastrophe of Christmas!!!

December 16

Jonah, Jonah, Jonah. I mean, really. Did you really think you could escape God?

It's easy to laugh at the foolishness of Jonah. But isn't that our reaction too? We all have Jonah days - we run from what we know is right, what God wants us to do. It's too hard so I'll just wait over there. Or sometimes it's more like This is too hard, Lord! Can't you just calm the storm now? Jonah days chase you for tender reason. The Hound of Heaven storms after you till you have the gift you need.(159) The gift of need. And we don't need what we already have. Or we don't have a need until there is want.

You aren't equipped for life until you realize you aren't equipped for life. You aren't equipped for life until you're in need of grace.(159)  Yes! I love these lines!

The life of a Christian is one of continued repentance and forgiveness. I previously mentioned our Confession and Absolution Lutherans have every Sunday in the liturgy as part of their corporate worship. Repentance should also happen privately at home. In the moment of realizing your limitations, your short-comings, your inescapable sins, all that you aren't - in that moment of surrendered lack, you're given the gift you'd receive no other way: the gracious hand of an unlimited God. Repentance, turning around, is the only way to be ushered into grace. (159-160) Absolution comes when we are in God's Word and are assured of His gracious forgiveness.

That sweet Gospel message - Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish, but Jesus took three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, in the belly of death, so no one else would ever have to. 

He did not abandon you in the ultimate storm of your soul. He will not abandon you in the immediate storm of your now. (161) 

Yes, the life of a Christian is one of continued repentance and forgiveness. A constant reminder of our Baptism and the assurance we have knowing that when we were in unbelief, God turned us around.

And here you see that Baptism, both in its power and signification, comprehends also the third Sacrament, which has been called repentance, as it is really nothing else than Baptism. For what else is repentance but an earnest attack upon the old man [that his lusts be restrained] and entering upon a new life? Therefore, if you live in repentance, you walk in Baptism, which not only signifies such a new life, but also produces, begins, and exercises it. For therein are given grace, the Spirit, and power to suppress the old man, so that the new man may come forth and become strong.

Therefore our Baptism abides forever; and even though some one should fall from it and sin, nevertheless we always have access thereto, that we may again subdue the old man. But we need not again be sprinkled with water; for though we were put under the water a hundred times, it would nevertheless be only one Baptism, although the operation and signification continue and remain. Repentance, therefore, is nothing else than a return and approach to Baptism, that we repeat and practise what we began before, but abandoned. Martin Luther - Large Catechism

December 15

Elijah and the burning altar - I always got a kick out of this story. The verses describe an embarrassing display of a people refusing to admit their mislead idolatry. I can't help but chuckle when I imagine Elijah's sarcasm in suggesting what they might try to get their gods attention. It's sad, really - their attempts just seem so ridiculous!

I thought this chapter had some good Law/Gospel balance to it that jumped out at me. Law - Every moment you live, you lived bowed to something. And if you don't choose god, you'll bow down before something else - some banal Baal.  Baal isn't the name of one particular god; it's the name of any generic god. Elijah confronted the people about their wavering, their sinking, between the god of Abraham and the Baal of rain. And for us, too, there are other Balls that can be our sinking. The Baal of success and the Baal of Pinterest, the Baal of perfection and the Baal of affirmation. It's always Baals that keep us from God, the Baals of work and agenda and accomplishment that keep us from prayer. We don't pray enough only when we are practising idol worship.(148-149) Ouch. Got me there. Here I was thinking their attempts were so ridiculous - how about mine? Good questions to honestly ask myself - what do I run around crazy after? What keeps me from sitting with the Lord daily and listening to his words speak to me in the Bible? Keeps me from talking to him in prayer?

And then the Good News, the Gospel - But if you slow and still and wait, Advent whispers to you: there is one God who was cut open for you. He let His blood run so you can stop running. "The only way to overcome idols in your life, " beckons Tim Keller, "is to see that Jesus gives you freely what every other god says that you can only get through your performance. Jesus give you through His blood what every other god demands through yours." Jesus, the Gift, comes to give you freely through His passion what every other god forces you to get through your performance. (149-150) Thank you, Jesus.

Come, let us adore Him!

Question #1 - Relief, joy, a heavy burden lifted! Now I can give from myself what has been freely given to me! I'm not overwhelmed by what I perceive must be done but I've overwhelmed in gratitude of the many opportunities He gives me to glorify Him!

December 14

How many times have I heard this Isaiah text proclaimed on Christmas Eve from a cute kid usually dressed up as an angel, shepherd or at least wearing special Christmas dress clothes? I have to give it to Ann - she does an amazing job weaving her poetic words around the picture of a great light piercing through the darkness! I think it should be set to music. Some piece that starts hushed and foreboding and then the kicks in with instruments full throttle - maybe horns. Any ideas?

Anyway, back to her words. Love the picture she creates and then the line - A fire that the people walking in darkness did not set - but that they saw. (137) This highlights the utter depravity of mankind. And to take it a step further, I would even add that even being able to see the fire is a gift of God's grace we can't do on our own. A light that the people in the dark couldn't ignite, couldn't inflame, and couldn't fabricate - but could only find. I would add - the light "finds them".

And then I love the paragraphs on 138 and 139 that start with "Our God" - just beautiful poetry!  I could read them over and over. We are saved from our loneliness because God is love and He can't stand to leave us by ourselves, to ourselves. 
That is the message of  Christmas! (139)

Isaiah foretells the coming Messiah using descriptive, specific names and brings hope and light to a dark world lost in sin and despair. Wonderful Counselor - the coming Messiah will be a King! Mighty God - stresses his Divine Power. Everlasting Father - He will be an enduring, compassionate provider and protector (Concordia SS). Prince of Peace - Heals the brokenness between God and man and brings real peace through the cross.

I have to admit near the end of this chapter is where I get a little confused with what she's writing and I think it can be understood correctly but maybe needs some clarity - at least I do. The sentence starting at  the end of page 139 and going onto 140, she writes - There's no going back and living in the dark etc.  Well, you could go back. I don't know why you'd want to but Christians do loose faith - Scripture warns us of this. We can turn our backs, not hear God's Word or participate in Communion and cut ourselves off. Maybe I'm taking this too literally?

And then the following paragraph that starts It's Christmas that dawns on you, and you only really believe in Christmas when you really live it. etc. "Really live it" - what does that mean?  I recall the passage in Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.  But I would add to this paragraph that we can only be lights through the Holy Spirit that equips us with this privilege. Maybe it rubs me the wrong way because it's not clear here (to me anyway)  that this has to do with our lives of sanctification and not our justification which is complete in Christ. Any thoughts here?

Question #2 - Where light has dimmed for a Christian, God provides His glow through the Means of Grace in Word and Sacrament. We humans are fickle, emotional creatures! God has provided objective truth that brings our attention back to Him and what He has already accomplished through Christ.

December 13

David, the son of Jesse, is introduced as the next branch of the Jesse tree.  David is the youngest of boys and a shepherd boy. Samuel is surprised that the next king of Israel isn't Jesse's other sons! But David the shepherd boy is to be the next king of Israel and a shadow of Jesus, our Good Shepherd.

Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7. Ann goes on to flesh this out in the chapter.

Having just gotten back from New York City at the height of the biggest shopping season, her words take on much meaning for me … The endless bombardment of ads, gloss, Photoshop - it's like full-immersion sight lessons, schooling us to have eyes for everything unimportant and unreal. From Hollywood to Pinterest, the media of this world aggressively schools your soul to see the exact opposite of the way God sees. (126) 

People aren't bodies; they are hearts. (126) Seems like an obvious thing but the fact that it even has to be mentioned insinuates that it's not just a Samuel flaw but humanity flawed.

She asks some good questions to ponder hard on and she reminds me - When my priorities aren't the things seen - when my priorities are rather all things unseen - it's only then that my life begins to have substance and weight. (127) 

Good thoughts to chew on - He who was the most beautiful One became the most ugly … that our ugly hearts might become beautiful in the eyes of God. Who knows of another love story like this?(128) 
and ..
There is another forgotten One from Bethlehem - One who was not allowed in, who was kept out with the sheep and the animals. There was another who was anointed by the Spirit and sent out into the wilderness, not just hunted by Saul but assaulted by Satan. There was another who was not just forgotten by his father, but forsaken by His Father. The most brilliant, beautiful Person in the universe lost his physical attraction (Isaiah 53) so that we, being spiritually unsightly, could be beautiful in the eyes of God.(128)

Question #1 - I'd like to be better at asking questions and listening - getting beyond the superficial where appropriate. Not busy thinking of the next thing to see but hearing what they're saying.

December 12

Welcome to Day 12 of Advent! I am praying for all of you reading that you are growing in your appreciation and understanding of God's love story to you and to me.  As much as I've studied these many parts of Scripture before, I love walking through them like this in light of Christmas and preparing for Jesus' coming.

I've had several people comment to me how much they love Ann's writing but how full of thoughts it is! Didn't I warn you:)? She can't be read quickly or when you're unable to give your full attention to her writing. But good! This chapter especially - I don't have a lot to add or comment on as I was so overwhelmed by her words and imagery. I need to read this stuff with kleenex!

OK. So we're at Ruth. And as much as this book is about Ruth, it starts with Naomi. Naomi times (113) Ann coins the phrase, and ohhhhh, how I can relate. In some seasons, for all their gloss and glitz, it can be achingly hard to find gifts, and days can feel like fists. (113) True confession time. I have literally had to pry my tightened fists open lately and hold them up to God, taking what He has to give. I have not always wanted it.

I have been bitter and Naomi is bitter and she can't see the gifts in front of her and I haven't either. She sees how she was full and became empty and has no hope that it will ever be different. I am convicted by the words cynicism is simplistic. In a fallen world, how profound is it to see the cracks? The radical and the reflective, the Ruths and the revolutionaries - they are the ones on the road, in the fields, on the wall, pointing to the dawn of the new Kingdom coming (113) and everything else she says in the rest of the paragraph!

I read on to agree with her words - expectations can come steal the gifts.(114) How true! Ruth is standing right beside Naomi, ready to follow her anywhere and Naomi remains bitter. How many "Ruths" have I ignored or not appreciated? It happens. When we have an agenda for God, we can't see the gifts from God. (114)

There are no brazen miracles to be seen in the entire book of Ruth. (114)  Good point! And yet the unfolding of seemingly mundane and unrelated events all fall together in God's almighty plan.  Isn't that often the way? We just don't have that perspective always when we're living the mundane.  The mundane is what's making miracles. (116) 

Every little thing is going to be okay - you have a Kinsman-Redeemer who takes you and is redeeming everything.(116) The Concordia Self Study Bible says the term "kinsman redeemer" is used 13 times and illustrates the mediating work of Jesus. So not only is this another branch in the family tree of Jesus but he's all over this book though never mentioned.

Naomi doesn't stay bitter and empty but through Ruth and Boaz's selfless acts and God's blessing upon them, she is brought to happiness once again! And Ruth, a foreigner, is grafted into the family tree of the Saviour of the Nations!

I really liked the quote from Stuart Briscoe at the end of the chapter. If that doesn't say it in a nutshell! I should have that framed or made into cards:)

December 11

A Scarlet Lifeline of Hope (98) is such a fitting title for this chapter and this story of Rahab. I thought Ann did an excellent job of bringing out so many aspects of this one!

First off, there's the reality of her profession. It ain't pretty. It's hard to even believe that she could have had faith in the godless culture that she lived in. It's not like she was an Israelite that would have grown up the Word of God … She's one women alone with the grime of too many nights on her hands, the weight of too many wounds on her heart - a women who looks up in her godless mess and sees the tenderness of God. (101) 

There's so many good lines in this chapter!! It's clear that the author especially took to this story and appreciates what we know of Rahab. And that scarlet cord is her identity - that scarlet line running from the animal sacrifice covering Adam and Eve's nakedness in the Garden of Eden to the crimson markings of blood on the door frames of the first Passover to the willing drops of blood in the garden of Gethsemane - and Rahab is delivered by that singular scarlet cord and tied into the Jewish family.(102) 
Here she's connecting the dots between the Old Testament sacrifices and festivals to the ultimate fulfillment of the Law through Jesus' sacrifice.

Isn't the family tree fascinating? Who Rahab goes on to marry, the son she has who later marries Ruth, where the family tree continues with King David that leads to Jesus … The great - grandmother of Christ many times removed - former prostitute, pagan, and profligate - Rahab finds herself the only other woman besides Sarah to be noted in the heroes' hall of faith.(103) 

There is such comfort found in this record of Rahab. "Nobody, no sin, should lead to despair when the cure of God's sovereign, almighty grace is engaged."
Nobody and no situation - no sin, no mess, no decision - meets the diagnosis of despair. Because there's God's cure of amazing grace. (103) I love that line!

Rahab is a great example of God's grace that shows no sin is too great for God to cover. She was surrounded by unbelief and yet she was brought to faith despite the odds, for God is great!

December 10

The Ten Commandments tend to get a bad rep as a bunch of rules that take all the fun out of life.  The Ten Commandments are more than God saying, "Here is My Law for you" - they are God saying, "Here is My love for you." (89)

The Ten Commandments are our mirror, our reminder that shows us our sins - our realization that we could never keep them perfectly on our own. And then comes the Gospel; Jesus, our Greatest Gift kept the Law perfectly for us! Good news!

God knows us so well - God knows how we say I do - but don't.(90)

God gives the commandments to us - and God gives God to keep the commandments for us. God gives us the commitment of love at the top of Sinai, and He staggeringly keeps our commitment to love at the top of Calvary. (92)

Out of thankfulness and out of our love to Him, we desire to please Him. And now these commands don't lead to despair but they're an opportunity to give the best of ourselves,  being motivated by the Holy Spirit working inside us! We still don't live out these commands perfectly this side of heaven - Jesus did that when He came to this side from heaven:)

Question #1 - I so appreciate our Lutheran Confession and Absolution we start our liturgy with every Sunday.

Congregation: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve you punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Saviour Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. 

Pastor: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (CW Common Service) 

December 9

I have always loved the unfolding saga of Joseph found in the Old Testament! To be able to lay out a life like that and feel with passion how "unfair" this was or "unjust" that is connects you with emotion to the real life characters and what they must have gone through.  But what's fascinating to me is to be able to "watch" it all work out as what was seemingly unfair or unjust turns out for good - exactly what God promises!

An even greater saga than Joseph's is Jesus Himself! From stinky barn to wooden cross - unfair and unjust for the Son of God!!! … but turns out for good - our good. Our good and perfect gift. Our Greatest Gift! So that whatever trials and storms in life overtake us, this gift can't be taken. Even when we don't have the eyes of perspective, we can know this in the midst of it all - in our own "Joseph saga". Blessed is the man who preserves under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trial. These have come so that you faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined  by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6,7. 

It reminds me of the analogy of a cross-stitch piece - looks like a hot mess on the backside but when you turn it around, it's a lovely piece of art and suddenly it all makes sense.

Ann likens it to Joseph's robe and the blood-dipped hem with thin, torn places where we touch the place of God. (79)

What was intended to tear you apart, God intends it to set you apart. 
What has torn you, God makes a thin place to see glory. (79)

It's interesting to study the great hero's of faith. And the more I delve into it, the clearer it is that they were not perfect. Their lives were often a mess! They didn't always make the right choice and seemed to make some downright dumb choices!! She touches upon this on page 80 - But out of a family line that looks like a mess, God brings the Messiah. That mess is something we can all relate too and what comfort comes from recognizing that no matter what intends to harm you, God's arms have you. You can never be undone. (80)

You can never have Christmas without also having the cross. It's easy to see the cute baby in the manger but can be harder to link that same baby to the bloodied man on the cross. But there it is. The cries of the innocent Babe under the stars of Bethlehem twist into the agonized cries of the innocent Victim atop the injustice of Calvary. The holy dark over the manger gives way to the heinous dark over the Messiah and the slamming hammer and the tearing vein and the piercing thorn - the created murdering the Creator. (80) 
And God takes the greatest evil ever known to humanity and turns it into the greatest Gift you have ever known. (81) Merry Christmas!

I love her repeating verse you cannot be undone. A failed relationship, an awful diagnosis, a life spinning too fast around you to keep up - you cannot be undone.

"All is grace" (81)  And then there's this song.
Download it for free here.

FYI - loved the quote by Bonhoeffer!

December 8

 

The promise continues with Jacob and the family tree continues. God speaks to him in a dream and allows him to see a ladder reaching up to heaven with the angels of God going up and down. What a sight that must have been!

I really appreciate where Ann goes from here, equating our lives to a ladder and feeling the weight of trying to climb up the rungs alone and failing miserably.  That may be how it seems sometimes but the truth is that Christ came down one to get you. (68) and goes on to quote John 1:51 where Jesus explains this.

This is another chapter I've done a lot of underlining to! Jesus doesn't show you the steps to get to heaven - Jesus is the steps to heaven.
Jesus doesn't merely come down to show you the way up - Jesus comes down to make Himself into the Way to carry you up.
Jesus doesn't ultimately give you a how-to, because Christianity is ultimately about Who - to. 
Every religion, every program, every self-help book is about steps you have to take. Jesus is the only One who becomes the step - to take you. (69)

I also appreciated Elisabeth Elliot's quote and it made me think of the opposite which also seems like profanity - why do we make such a big deal out of that which is meaningless? Why do we spend so much energy and attention to the fleeting and trivial?

The only ladder over you is Love - and Love came down.(70) Which then brings to mind a Christmas song from Jars of Clay - Love Came Down at Christmas. 

December 7

This story of Abraham being willing to sacrifice his son is always one that's hard for me to imagine. This particular instance recorded for us is one of the reasons Abraham is known as a great "Hero of Faith".  It's the object of his faith that is truly Great.

It can be hard for us today to relate to the whole OT laws and regulations. And the fact that a sacrifice even had to be made regularly is foreign to us today. It shows us, and it showed them, that there are consequences to sin and that there is a price that needs to be paid. But the Lord provided the ram and then he provided Jesus once and for all - sacrificing His Son to make it complete. He continues to provide … Every mountain that every Christian ever faces, the Lord levels with sufficient grace: The Lord Will Provide. (59)

I need that reminder when it seems like things are getting worse. I don't always want to see His provision because maybe I think I know what I need rather than trusting He knows best?
God gives God. That is the gift God always ultimately gives. Because nothing is greater and we have no greater need, God gives God. God gives God, and we only need to slow long enough to unwrap the greatest Gift with our time: time in His Word, time in His presence, time at His feet. (60)

I love how she ends - Advent is the time to see the Tree in your thicket (what a great picture!) and whisper the echoing words of your God: Now I know. Now I know. Since You did not spare Your only Son, how will You not also graciously give - even me - all things You know I need? (Romans 8:32). 
Now I know. Now I know, because You have not withheld from me Your Son, Your only Son. Now I know how You love me. (61) If you or I ever doubt His love, remember this!

*I have so appreciated your comments both here and through email! Please continue to share when you feel comfortable so that we may continue to build each other up! 
I've had a challenge commenting at times throughout this week. My family and I have been on holiday this week in New York City! Crazy enough in that big city, we had a hard time finding wifi and getting our phones to connect so I could make comments. Anyway, I'm back now:) 
Thank you again for joining me here! Love, Rachel

December 6

The Lord kept his word. Doesn't he always? Another promise kept and another branch on the family tree of Jesus with the birth of Isaac. And Sarah laughs with joy!

-we who were barren now graced with the Child who lets us laugh with relief for all eternity. There is nothing left to want. There is nothing left to fear. (50) What a great reminder for me to loosen up and laugh with relief, with joy! Because in light of eternity, it's all good. It's good because he made it good. The only thing that could ever really threaten us - sin, death and the devil - has been annihilated. For good.  And as long as we live on this earth, those pesky three will attempt to do damage.  But - that ache is not the last word for those who believe God. Jesus is. (51)

I liked how she uses the word barren. A life-less womb. That's by nature what we all are until the Holy Spirit changes our hearts and makes us alive!! Now like Sarah, we too can laugh!

Unwrapping  more ..

I'm totally doing this. I'm going to attempt to keep a smile on my face all day and see what happens. Bring. It. On.

Question #3 - I'm going lighter on …. Pinterest perfection for something more genuine and grace-filled. Simple can still be special.

December 5

Here we are at Day 5 - the story of Abram and how our story continues to unfold.
The blessing God is speaking about here is his reiteration of the promise to save all mankind through Abram's family tree. Jesus himself will come from this line. As heirs to this promise of salvation, we are Abram's spiritual descendants! And we are blessed …

You must feel the fullness of your own pitcher before you trust the pouring out of yourself. (40)
Our "pitcher" is filled when we immerse ourselves in the living water of his Word! When we have his word and promises on our hearts, we are filled to overflowing! Jesus said, " If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:37b, 38

Then when our eyes are opened to the undeserved blessings around us and we are overwhelmed with his generous giving, we too can be a gift. Best of all, we can share the Gift we've been given with others!

The present is His presence, and the greatest present you always have to give is His presence - looking into someone's eyes as you listen, refusing the wrong of rushing, lingering long enough to really listen - to everything.(41-42) It makes me think of Matthew 25:34-40. Verse 40 finishes with, "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' 

And final thoughts: There is no need for more: the heart is full of gifts that is full of Christ. (42) 'Nuff said.

Question #1 - He has blessed me with a Saviour too! Abram looked ahead to the One. We have met the One in Scripture through the eyes of faith.

December 4

Got your cup of tea or coffee ready to go?
The story of Noah - how many times have I read this? But man, does she have some gems of thought in this one!
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of repentance. Eph 4:30. Yes, God can grieve. And man's sin is God's sorrow (Concordia Study Bible).
Short of rewriting everything wonderful that she writes here I'm going to jump to this - While other creeds endeavour to get us out of the world and into heaven, in Christianity, heaven comes down and Christ comes into this world to get us. To suffer with us. We find favour - only because Christ feels pain. (31) Because Christ suffered for us.  She goes on. Christ comes like an ark, like a cradle over floods. And we read the headlines and wonder, If there's a God who really cares, He'd look at this world and His heart would break. 
And God looks to the Cross, that real Tree, and says, "My heart did." (31)  Go get a kleenex. I'll wait.

She finishes the chapter off with Every flood of stress …every flood of trouble …The way heaven comes down so we can rise. (32) This too is why I love the water cycle:)

Unwrapping more …
Apart from him we can do nothing. In Christ, we can glorify him in all that we do!

Question #3 - My sin causes God sorrow. And yet because of Emmanuel, God looks at me and sees not my sin but Emmanuel's righteousness. I am forgiven! Now out of thankfulness for such a gift of mercy, I don't want to cause sorrow to my God but I strive to follow his ways with the Holy Spirit's power.
I also have comfort knowing that I'm never alone even when it appears I am. God cares for me and understands my pain.

December 3

When God called to Adam and Eve, "Where are you?" he obviously knew where they were - I mean he's God after all. It was a rhetorical question meant to give them an opportunity to be repentant. But what does Adam do? Well, he doesn't own up. He doesn't admit his sin.  Rather he gives an excuse. Plays the first of many a blame game. A game I know how to play all too well.

But in all His relationships, God reaches for man.

Reaches for you who have fallen and scraped your heart raw, for you who fell the shame of words that have snaked off your tongue and poisoned corners of your life, for you who keep trying to cover up pain with perfectionism. 

Three words come through the dense thicket of failure: Where are you? (23)

Here's my call to repentance too. The life of a Christian is NOT a fluffy, free ride. The life of a Christian is one of repentance and forgiveness. We see our need - our need for a Saviour. We are lost and need to be found. 

Your God looks for you when you're feeling lost, and your God seeks you out when you're down, and your God call for you when you feel cast aside. He doesn't run down the rebel. He doesn't strike down the sinner. He doesn't flog the failure. (23)

Jesus, our Gift, has been run down, struck down and flogged - for mankind. We rightly deserved it all and more. But in his love and mercy he took our place! A gift, through faith. (Eph 2:8) Thank you, Jesus!

Unwrapping More …

He's already there with you:) Sing it loud! 

Question #2 - Loved. It's often trials and difficulties that bring me back and that remind me of my complete dependancy for him and his grace. 

December 2

In the beginning … a good way to start don't you think?

I love so many points she raises in this chapter. It begins with the always coming of Christ. (12). He was there. He's always been! The power of the words spoken - to create out of nothing. 

But you? You alone were formed by a huddle of hearts. Let us make human beings. The authority of God made all of creation. But it was the affection of God that made all His children. (12) Don't you just want to cry?!! If I ever doubted my significance or wondered if I really mattered, this just smashes those lies to pieces.
You are made of the dust of this earth and you are made of the happiness of heaven, and you are flesh and you are spirit, and you are of two worlds longing for the home of forever and Him.(12) Yes and yes!!!!!!!!! I'm crying out!!!!

I have the distinct privilege of home educating my children. And while I started out thinking I was going to impart all my adult wisdom on my little chicks, I've since been taught through reality that it is I who have much to learn.
It was when were studying science (a subject I've never been particularly fond of) and specifically earth science that my eyes were opened to some of the things she mentions in this chapter. That could be because the curriculum we used was written by her - haha! "Explore His Earth - a Child's Geography" is the loveliest way to learn about the atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. To learn of the water cycle, structure of the earth and earthquakes and volcanoes from the perspective of creation as this constant around us that declares his wonder and glory to us every day down to the smallest detail brings me to my knees! 

The answer to deep anxiety is deep adoration of God.(14)Amen and amen. As someone who has been struggling with anxiety lately, I need to hear this again and again. Change the focus from fear of what may or may not happen to a holy fear of an awesome God.

This love story you and I are reading - we love because He first loved us.

Question #1 - This may sound weird but it's the water cycle. Yep. When I think about how the water that's constantly going around is the same water that's been going around since Day 2 of Creation, that's a pretty cool thought. The same droplets that engulfed but never sank the Ark, the pool of water that Jesus was baptized or any number of events from history all over the world. Wow. As the rain comes down, when I turn on the tap or give my daughter a bath or shovel snow - it goes round and round. The water cycle.

December 1

The Jesse Tree. The family tree that Jesus descends from. Did you expect a mammoth? A thick, sturdy trunk and branches spread like a cathedral ceiling? The reality is a stump. The stump of Jesse with a tiny, little shoot. But it's there, fulfilling all of God's promises.

God keeps all his promises and shows his righteous judgement on David's descendants who so openly and arrogantly rejected God and the tree became a stump. But he shows his grace and mercy in allowing that shoot to grow! Gaze on shoots of glory to grow deep roots in God. (5)

The theology of the Tree, of the Cross, always seeks the presence of God in the belittled gifts of the world. 
The small Babe of Bethlehem, the dismissed Son of God, the stripped and beaten Messiah hanging exposed on the Tree … (5) Not what people were looking for in the King that was to come and save them. But things seldom are as they seem.

Question #2 - my answer
I'm yearning to grow in my appreciation of the Gift and grow in knowledge of the Giver.

Feel free to comment on your own answers, thoughts or something that struck you.