The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

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.

Every Christmas time I publish this little list of “The Top Ten Ways to Make the Most of Christmas in Your Home!” Folks have enjoyed copying this, and many have shared it with their friends. It is taken from Colossians chapter three.

10. Be telling the truth to your children (3:9-10). Tell them their gifts came from Mommy and Daddy.
9. Be reaching out to others (3:11). There are many folks with individual needs. Find someone.
8. Be demonstrating compassion (3:12a). At the Christmas season hurting people need encouragement.
7. Be watching out for selfishness (3:12b). Humbleness of mind keeps a Biblical focus of priorities.
6. Be enjoying the peace of God (3:15a). In spite of lots to do at Christmas, let His peace reign.
5. Be listing the many things for which to be thankful (3:15b). That’s the right kind of list-making.
4. Be reading God’s Word before opening gifts (3:16a). The day is in honor of His birth, after all.
3. Be flooding your home with Christmas music (3:16b). What beautiful words on which to meditate.
2. Be checking your heart’s condition (3:16c). Is God’s grace manifesting itself in your heart?
1. Be honoring the Lord Jesus (3:17). Everything we do should honor His birth.

May the Lord bless you and yours at this very busy but also very special time of the year.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Is it just me, or have you noticed it as well? It seems to me that more and more people are saying “Merry Christmas” this year. Personally, I have been sick and tired of this silly political correctness that demands we take Christ out of Christmas and come up with “Happy Holidays.”

Even more endearing to me than simply saying “Merry Christmas” is to say “Blessed Incarnation Day.” I have actually had people stop and ask me, “What holiday is that, Mister?” What a grand opportunity to briefly explain the glorious journey of the Eternal Word becoming flesh and why He made the journey. Whatever you are doing, however busy your life is becoming, never lose sight of the glorious truth that the Word has become flesh. He did this for you!

Think of this often today: How blessed is the incarnation! Christ became flesh for us.