When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things–not the great occasions–give off the greatest glow of happiness.”
–Bob Hope
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.”
–Job 19:25 (NIV)
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I was reading, I think it was Barna’s Report, where 33% of Millennials (that’s one-third folks) stated that “secret Santa” was too stressful. The thought of it brought anxiety, stress, and tension to the work place. Yet, now get this, 30% (almost the same number) of Millennials said that the boss/company/employer should take the place of “Santa” and provide the gifts. Ponder that! What happens to the wonder of giving? Buying a present for someone else causes stress? However, they still want their present–from the “boss.” As if he should be required to give one.
Monday I mentioned Mary and how she must have been a very mature young woman. One who had tremendous faith and loved the Lord. I want to look at Joseph. If anyone were to have stress I think it would be him. Think of it–he had the responsibility to raise the Son of God. The job of training, educating, and discipling would fall to him.
We know little of Joseph except what is given in the Christmas story. He was a just man. He loved Mary. He had to be a man of exceptional character if the heavenly Father was going to allow him the responsibility of raising His Son. He was a carpenter (some today say a stone mason). He went to Bethlehem for the taxation because he was of the lineage of David. He was warned in a dream to flee, so he took Mary and the child to Egypt. From there, the family eventually make it back to Nazareth.
We have one more story concerning Joseph. It was after the Feast of the Passover. For some reason, Jesus stayed behind while Mary and Joseph and the others returned to Nazareth. Think of the concern of Mary and Joseph. Think of the consternation of Joseph–the charge left him by the Father was missing.
“After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, the were astonished. His mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.'”
–Luke 2:43-48 (NIV)
Joseph had been given the awesome responsibility of taking care of Jesus–the Son of God. He was missing. Ponder for a minute what might have gone through the mind of Joseph. (Oh, and a side-note, read verse 51, “…But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.)
After this Joseph is never mentioned again. Maybe this incident gave him a heart attack. No? I don’t think so either. But I do believe that he died while Jesus was a very young man (manhood came at age 13). Was Joseph possibly a Zealot? For example, Quinctilius Varus crucified two thousand ringleaders, whose leader was Judas, in a revolt near Nazareth. Nine years later, another Judas led a revolt in the same region. Perhaps Joseph named two of his sons after the Maccabeus–Simon and Judas. Scripture records that the brothers of Jesus, the sons of Joseph and Mary, were James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon.
The region around Nazareth was a rough area, one that was prone to violence. Did Joseph die in some type of violence? Or was he a victim of a job accident or disease? If he died while Jesus was a young man, that would be a legal and logical reason for Jesus not to enter His ministry until one of the other brothers was of age to take care of the family.
Oh, such things to ponder. One more little thought to leave you with. “Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man…” (Matthew 1:19, NIV). This means that he was a man who followed the Law, but also indicates that he was a man who was completely open to all that God wanted to do for him.
Month: December 2019
The Saga of Miles Forrest
Lamb was moving rather slowly as his wound still bothered him. Doc raised his hand and waved him over to our table. His walk was a little above a shuffle and mosey. Charlie Gold reached over to grab a chair from another table so he could sit down. Molly jumped up and started for the kitchen. Now, what was she doing?
It was quiet around the table as he seated himself. I was not used to having a casual time with a criminal, especially one that had tried to harm my family and friends. Perhaps Lamb sensed the problem, for he uttered, “I don’t mean to intrude.”
I wanted to blurt out, “Then don’t,” but Molly was coming back from the kitchen with a piece of butterscotch pie.
“Here you go, Mr. Lamb,” she said then turned to me. “Miles, get Mr. Lamb a cup of coffee to go with his pie.”
It was not a request.
“Thank you, ma’am,” he muttered seemingly somewhat embarrassed. He then asked, “Have you heard anything about James? When is his trial?”
“All I can tell you Lamb is that your brother made it to Denver. As to his trial, I have no idea when it will take place,” answered Charlie.
Looking at me he asked, “They wouldn’t put him in prison with only one arm would they?”
Doc wiped down his chin with his hand. “I imagine the defense will use that to their advantage. But you must understand that he must face the consequences of his actions.”
“Lamb, I met some friends of yours up Silverton way,” his fork was halfway to his mouth when I said this. He stopped to look my direction. “Fellow by the name of Micah Teeter, along with Jenks and Framm.”
He lowered his fork to the plate. “Did they say they were my friends?” he asked with a straight-face.
I gave a little shrug, then added, “Not directly.”
“Then I’ve never heard of them,” he snapped pushing the rest of the pie away from him.
“Your trial will probably come up right after Christmas. You sure you want to stick to that story?” I asked.
This time I received a glare. Molly placed her hand on my arm. “Mister Lamb, we all have to pay the consequences for our actions,” she paused then continued, “and that includes sinning against the Most High,” she stopped and gave him a smile. “That’s why this time of year is so joyous. The heavenly Father sent His Son so that we don’t have to pay the ultimate penalty for our sins.”
He turned his gaze to Molly. “Were you the one that sent the kid to see me? He said he was praying for me,” he snorted. “What rubbish, after he shot me.”
Turning to Charlie, “Why hasn’t he been tried for attempted murder?”
His congenial attitude had been replaced with a snarl. “By the way,” he calmed down, “where is the woman I tried to, uh, that you say I tried to kidnap?”
“My wife is in the kitchen. Why do you want her?” indicated Charlie.
“Your wife!” exclaimed Lamb shaking his head then mumbled, “I don’t stand a chance at the trial.” Sighing he continued. “I came to apologize if I upset her with her supposed intentions,” he stated then looked at each of us.
Charlie stood up to get Marta…
Echoes From the Campfire
Something about an old-fashioned Christmas is hard to forget.”
–Hugh Downs
“Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
–Luke 1:78-79 (NASB)
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Two people in the Bible that intrigue me are Mary and Joseph. We really know very little about them except that they were people of faith. Mary became the mother of Jesus and Joseph was his step-father. After Jesus is twelve Joseph is no longer mentioned. Mary is in the shadows as well, but is mentioned a few times.
I read last week where some brilliant, enlightened professor (I think from NitWit University) stated that Mary was raped by God, that He forced Himself on her. God had the audacity to do that to a teenager. First, the fool doesn’t have his story or time period correct.
First of all, Mary gives her consent. “And Mary said, ‘Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38, NASB) Second, there was no such a thing as a “teenager” in that time period. You were a child or an adult. The concept of adolescence (teenager) is relatively new. The fool doesn’t know what he is talking about and like most liberals just wanted to start a ruckus.
But Mary, let us take a look at her for a few moments. Luke, plainly tells us something about her character, how the angel came to her, and how she became obedient to the Lord. Matthew tells us who she was, “Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.” (1:16, NASB)
There is a verse in Luke that tells me something about Mary. She was a thinking person, she didn’t understand this mysterious birth, but she pondered everything about it. “But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (2:19, NASB)
Somewhere along the line, Jesus left home to begin His ministry and journey to the cross. He continued to do “strange” things, miracles, healings, and His message was different. Some sought Him for a miracle, others said He was a lunatic. There was a time when Mary and His brothers came to get him. “And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd.” (Luke 8:19, NASB)
Mary is seen again at the crucifixion. We have no record of Him every going “home” after He began His ministry. Perhaps He understood that His home was heaven, and He was very focused on the mission in front of Him. “But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother… When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!'” (John 19:25-26, NASB) At the cross she was surely torn in her heart, but I wonder, I wonder if her mind went back to all the happenings at His birth. I wonder if she was still pondering these things in her heart.
She is mentioned again at the tomb of Jesus. The two angels spoke to the women when they were disturbed with the tomb being empty. “And they remembered His words, and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James…” (Luke 24:8-10, NASB) Remember, that James was the half-brother of Jesus.
Surely her heart began to throb. The pondering continued. Hope soared. Faith rose. We see her again in the upper room where she was waiting from the Promise of the Father and of Jesus. “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (Acts 1:14, NASB)
What happened to Mary after her experience in the upper room? There are many legends, some saying that she did miracles and thus became a saint. Did she stay in Jerusalem with James? This is very likely since he was the next oldest son. Was she revered as the mother of the Messiah by those in the church? There is some speculation that she went to Ephesus to live with John (John 19:27) This is also very likely. How long did she live after the upper room experience? Whatever the length of time, she most definitely pondered everything in her heart.
Coffee Percs
Christmas…that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance—a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.”
–Augusta E. Rundel
Pard, sit yurself down, yuh look some frazzled. Oh, it’s the crazies on the road. I hear yuh, hoss, best get out of their way or yuh’ll get plumb run over. Here yuh go, coffee’s hot, black, and strong, just right to tickle yur ol’ gizzard, make it sit right up and say “howdy.”
I see where a group of those crazies have given President Trump a gift of impeachment. Bureaucrats! Some things just jerk my jaws. Plain stupidity, and a waste of time and money. Hmmm, wonder what kind of business for the people was accomplished the past few weeks? Hard to believe we have come to such a time as this, but then aren’t we lookin’ for the Second Advent? I’ve always believed that something has to happen to America before the Lord returns. But, Pard, yuh think on this. The Rapture occurs, the Christians are removed, what will our government look like? Hmmm, ponder that while yur sippin’ that coffee.
But me, for one, ain’t gonna let those nuts in Congress spoil my Christmas. Nope, sounds like a good idea just to wrap that blanket of Christmas around me and enjoy this special time of year. Might drink me a few gallons of coffee, sigh, do some eatin’ of my sweet wife’s Christmas cookies and pie. Ahhh, makes me smile to think about the next few weeks.
Yuh be havin’ yurself a good week. Watch all ’round for there’s plenty of stupidity aboundin’; don’t yuh be joinin’ that group of fools by not checkin’ yur cinch.