The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

I am thinking of a phrase. You’ve read it many times in the Scripture. Perhaps many of us have read so quickly through the passage that we were not struck by this phrase! I was awake in the night and talking with the Lord and thinking about people and situations. Memories took me back to previous ministries with the busyness of the Christmas season.

Then seemingly out of nowhere as I was thinking about Scripture came the special phrase I’m sharing.

“And it came to pass.” I know you have read this phrase. It is found over 400 times in the King James Version of the Bible. “Came to pass” in the New Testament is one word, ginomai (GHIN-om-ahee). This conveys the picture of a situation taking place, of something coming into existence, to happen and even that which appears on the stage!

For the next few days, let’s camp on that phrase just in the area of Scripture that has to do with the events of our precious Savior coming into the world.

“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in the commandments, and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went in the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense…The angel said unto him, Fear not Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John” (Luke 1:5-13).

What an “And it came to pass” it was for elderly Zacharias! What a mission for his baby boy who would become known as John the Baptist who would prepare the way for the Messiah, Christ Jesus! What great reminders for us.

1. Sometimes even though we are living righteously, the course of our lives is not necessarily what we would choose for ourselves.

2. Always the Lord’s plan is absolutely the best.

3. Consistently we will be wise to obey what the Lord says (read the rest of the story in Luke 1).

Well now, think of this. Our “And it came to pass” will definitely be nowhere as dramatic as it was for Zacharias. But whatever the Lord brings to the stage of our lives today, may we be quick and consistent to obey Him.

I know that we have thought many times about these wonderful words spoken a long time ago by Gabriel to the virgin Mary. Christmas is drawing near and probably if you are like most folks I know, things were busy before but now they are only getting busier by the day.

Don’t lose sight of these wonderful truths.

You can never think too highly of the Lord Jesus Christ. Think of what Gabriel told Mary.

“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).

He shall be great speaks of His authority and ability.
Shall be called the Son of the Highest speaks of His deity.
The throne of David speaks of His royalty.
He shall reign over the House of Jacob speaks of His majesty.
Of His Kingdom there shall be no end speaks of His eternality.

A challenge. Be intentional about your state of awe at the Person of Christmas! Make it all about Him because truly IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM!

I often think of Joseph, Mary’s fiancé. Their engagement sealed the agreement that they were reserved for each other. As soon as the living arrangements were completed and Joseph’s father gave the approval, Joseph would be on his way to the home of Mary to bring her to her new home. No doubt Joseph dreamed of this every day.

Until…the news came. “She was found with child of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18). He must have been devastated. His thoughts drove him to conclude the worst.

Until…the Angel of the Lord explained the situation. Taking Joseph from the worst news that he could ever imagine discovering to the best news that was beyond his wildest dreams, the Angel Gabriel explained to Joseph the amazing plan God was unfolding for his Mary and him. The promised One would come to them in quite the supernatural way.

In her virginity, Mary would conceive her son by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife,” Gabriel instructed him. Joseph immediately obeyed. I am blessed and challenged by the courage and immediate obedience of Joseph. It was more important to him to obey God than to care about what people would say and think.

May the plan of the Lord be our greatest joy and highest prize regardless of what people may think or say of us.

I posted this on my website many years ago. However, as we approach the blessed day of Christmas, I thought it would be timely to remind myself and my friends of the wonderful pattern of the wisemen as they gave to the infant Jesus.

Think of this.

“Thanks, Magi, for the Great Pattern of Giving.”

From the Wall Street Journal, “As much as 40% of the season’s sales happen in the 10 days before Christmas, according to the National Retail Federation. That includes Super Saturday, the Saturday before Christmas, which unseated Black Friday last year as the busiest shopping day of the season.” So if you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet, you apparently are in good company. In fact, lots of good company.

Sometimes gifts are purchased almost in desperation. “What do you give someone who seems to have everything?” is the question that passes through the minds of many people. I have often thought of the gifts of the magi. The Scriptures tell us, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).

Think of it! They fell down. They worshipped. They opened their treasures. They gave gifts of gold which speaks of royalty (He is the King!), frankincense which speaks of worship (He is the High Priest!), and myrrh which speaks of sacrifice (He is the Savior!).

Though this took place five years ago, it warms my heart and blesses me every time I read it. Jake turned out not only to be the love of her life; he turned out to be the hero of her life. Every husband wishes he could do such a heroic act as Jake. Let me explain.

“Jake’s Lifesaving Gift at Christmas Time” (Christmas 2019)

Her mother spoke with an ABC affiliate in her state. It was very emotional when she said, “We knew this day would come.” Their daughter, Megan, was born with a genetic kidney disorder. She had only one kidney. Diane and her family knew that the day would come when Megan would need a new kidney. “We’ve been blessed that she made it almost twenty-nine years,” Hoffer said.

Things deteriorated, and in June of 2018, doctors knew that Megan was running out of time. Family members were tested in hopes that they could donate one of their kidneys. No one was a match. No one. Are you ready? It was Megan’s husband, Jake, who was the perfect match. “We’re so thankful Jake loves her as much as we all do. He’s giving us our miracle, our Christmas miracle,” said Hoffer. Both recovered well.

What a beautiful story. It was a demonstration of love, commitment, sharing, holding nothing back, and giving life. But it pales in comparison with “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Far dearer and more incredible, truly miraculous, God gave His only begotten Son. Now that is a lifesaving gift at Christmas.