–Dan Arnold  (Bear Creek)

       “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who keeps his way preserves his soul.”

                    –Proverbs 16:17(NKJV)
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Brrr, when I think of winter I think of cold and snow.  Not so much now that I have lived in Texas for several years, but I have memories of those cold winters in Colorado, as my wife does of Pennsylvania.  The winter solstice, the 21st of the year.  Brrr.
       In light of that I want to bring you a song by Michael Martin Murphy.  It is a Christmas carol, but there is sentiment in the song.  It reminds me of winters of the past, of Christmases of the past, and of my childhood and youth.  I remember the days of having to work in the cold, to shovel snow, ahhh, but then there are the times of playing “king of the mountain”, or ice-skating on the lake, and sledding down the hills.  

               That ol’ north wind
               Howlin’ high up in the timber
               The only choir that I remember
               When I was ridin’ on the line.

               One lone star hangin’ over the horizon
               Like the one that led the wise men
               As they followed heaven’s sign.

               Snow-capped peaks
               Like the angels and their glory
               Seem to sing the old time story
               As the wind blows through the pines.
               Driftin’ along, the sounds of spurs jingling
               Like silver bells ringing
               Christmas on the line.

       We must remember that Joseph and Mary didn’t understand the concept of Christmas.  They knew they were chosen for something special, that the Child was given to them by God.  I have often wondered about their thoughts, but no matter they couldn’t have known the fullness of what was taking place.  Was it cold in the stable in Bethlehem that night?  We don’t know, but surely it was a bit drafty.  The smell probably wasn’t so great, and they for sure weren’t expecting visitors.
       No mid-wife, no hot water (in the movies there is always the need of hot water), no comfort except what they had in their heart.  Did God give them a special peace and joy when Jesus was born or was it like any other baby born under dire circumstances?
       We make what we want out of circumstances.  The spurs reminded the cowboy in the song of bells, the bells of Christmas.  A star in the horizon–the snow-capped peaks sang a song to him as he traveled to the line shack to spend Christmas alone.  But truly never alone.  The angels are there whether we see them or not.  The joy of ringing bells is there if not actually heard, but only in the heart.  The peace and joy from the Lord is there.  Dare, in your situation this year, to reach out and accept the heavenly Gift.    If you do, the sounds of Christmas will resound throughout your soul.

       “And the people said to Joshua, ‘The LORD our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!'”

                    –Joshua 24:24 (NKJV)
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I have a couple of things to share this morning, not sure if I have room for both of them.  I see that I’m running out of time with all the things I want to say this Christmas season.  I’m not sure if Wednesday or Thursday will be the last Echo before Christmas or not.  Then the week after…I don’t know.  May write, may not.
       But the first thought.  I have been drawn to the Baby this year.  Jesus, Immanuel–God with us–who chose to leave behind his glory (kenosis) and come to earth as a defenseless baby.  A mystery for sure.  He did it for you and me, and for all mankind, yet man either through ignorance or disbelief refuses Him and His sacrifice.  People don’t want to hear about Him, for He brings fear.  Fear of two sorts:  for the believer fear regarding the majesty of God, for the unbeliever fear of the judgment.
       In reading Matthew 2:1-23, we see the Magi searching as they follow the Star.  They go to the palace where normally a king would be born, but Herod has no idea of what they are talking about, however, the scribes understood (in part).  They told Herod that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem according to the Prophet Micah.  The Magi, in excitement, went on their way to find Jesus, while Herod was troubled.
       Imagine, troubled by a mere baby.  Sure it was a threat to his throne, but surely he knew that by the time the Child was old enough to take the throne he would probably be dead.  Perhaps fear for his inheritance to his descendants.  Or was there more to it?  Was Satan whispering in Herod’s ear–“kill the Child.”  “Kill Him before it is too late”?   A defenseless baby brought fear to Herod.  In that fear and the subsequent actions of the Magi toward him, he became angry ordering the male children in the region of Bethlehem to be killed.  Satan would not get his hand on Jesus, but many innocents would suffer.  I’m not sure about Dante’s “rings” in hell, but if that is so, then there is a special place deep in the realm of the suffering for those who kill innocent babies.
       I have often thought about Jesus as a baby and as a child growing up.  Why didn’t Satan strike at Him in those formative years?  There must have been something happening in the spiritual realm.  Perhaps the Father “laid down the law” telling him not to touch His Son.  Perhaps the Father had legions of angels around the Child as He grew protecting Him from an onslaught.  We know when He entered His public ministry and went out into the wilderness that the angels ministered to Him.  Whatever was happening Jesus grew in stature and in favor.
       Fear of the Lord is a wondrous thing.  That is where wisdom begins–recognizing God for who He is.  Look at the Baby in the manger.  Recognize who He is–He is the great I AM, the living Word.  Take another look, see that smile, that is for you–He knows you and knows everything about you.  He has come to ransom and redeem us.  Choose to fear Him, and then surrender your life to Him.  Do not wait, do not be like Herod and fear what could happen to your kingdom, your position, your career for your eternity is at stake.  Look at Him again, and hear the writer of Hebrews, “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come–in the volume of the book it is written of Me–to do Your will, O God.'” (10:7, NKJV)
       He has come, and He will one day come again.  Are you ready?  This Christmas as we celebrate the first Advent, make sure your hearts are ready for His coming in the second Advent.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

                         –Lloyd E. Foley  (Spirit of Lone Warrior)

       “The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war.  He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies.”

                         –Isaiah 42:13 (NKJV)
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There has been some argument in recent years that the Magi were not at the birth of Christ and that He was probably close to two years old when they came.  Partly right, maybe.  He was called a “Child” but that does not mean He was not still a baby.  Definitely, according to Matthew 2:11, He was in a house.  It does not change the story, or the wonder of it all along with the “Star.”  Most likely a small house became available shortly after the birth of Jesus and Joseph moved his family to more accommodating housing.  But look at who the Magi sought,

       “…Behold wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’…  And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.  And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him:  gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
                    –Matthew 2:1-2, 11 (NKJV)

       Age, it is not mentioned.  He could have been older, possibly a toddler, or still a baby crawling around.  Whichever, He was under two years of age, due to Herod’s declaration to slaughter the infant males of Bethlehem and its districts.
       The wise men must have recognized that He was to be a king.  They didn’t take back their gifts, they presented them before the Lord.  They were slightly mistaken, however, for He was far more than the “King of the Jews.”  Who they saw, baby or young child, was the King of Glory.  We must never forget and get caught up in the oohing and awing about the cuddly, cute baby that this baby was God Incarnate!  He was more than a mere Child, He was God lying in the manger or crawling through the house.  I like what Alistair Begg wrote on this,

        “At Christmas, many of us feel tremendously cozy as we think about the familiar Nativity story.  Filled with all kinds of sentimentalism, it is entirely possible for us to completely disengage from the whole panorama of God’s purpose:  to allow familiarity with the scene to blind us to the awe-inspiring truth that as we look at the baby in a Bethlehem manger, we are looking in on the Servant of God.  This Servant, Jesus, had a mission…”

       Read Isaiah 42:1-9 and contemplate the message of the Christ–the Child–coming as the supreme Servant, but also as a King.  I will call especially to your attention a couple of verses, “I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images.  Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”  (Isaiah 42″8-9, NKJV)
       As the song declares, every time Mary kissed the Baby’s face she was kissing the face of God.  WOW!  The Magi partially right, recognized a king, but it goes much deeper.    David cried, “Who is this King of glory?  The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.  Lift up your heads, O you gates!  Lift up, you everlasting doors!  And the King of glory shall come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.”  (Psalm 24:8-10, NKJV)
       So this Christmas season in adoring the Nativity and all that goes with it never forget that this Child is the King of glory.  He was more than a mere child, yet He came into this world as a child.  He allowed Himself to become man so that He could fulfill His mission and redeem mankind.  Who is this King of glory?  John tell us that He is the, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:16, NKJV)

                         –Zane Grey  (The Rainbow Trail)

       “So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.”

                         –Luke 2:39 (NKJV)
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I have thought often of Joseph.  He must have been an extraordinary man.  The first thing we read about him, other than the genealogy is,  “And Joseph her [promised] husband, being a just and righteous man and not wanting to expose her publicly to shame, planned to send her away and divorce her quietly.” (Matthew 1:19, Amplified)  Before God and before man Joseph was a just and righteous man.
       Joseph had his plans set on a wedding, and having Mary as his bride.  Then he found out that she was pregnant.  We are not told how he found out; whether or not she told him, but the Scripture does say that “he thought about these things” (Matthew 1:20).  He wanted to do the right thing.  He wanted to act in a rightful manner.  It wasn’t immediately after he found out that Mary was with child that he received an answer; it was while he was thinking about Mary, and the right thing to do.  A dream came to him, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”  (Matthew 1:20, NKJV)
       We do not see any questioning.  We do not see concern or being fretful, but we see obedience and faithfulness on the part of Joseph.  This was a man, who probably inside was in awe, who obeyed the voice of the Lord.  He took on the task of being the earthly father of the holy Son of God.  WOW!  Think of the responsibility!  It is a great responsibility to be a father.  That is one of the major problems in our country today–the lack of fathers taking their rightful responsibility.  There is one segment of society where 76% of families to do not have a father providing the leadership and the security that is his responsibility.  Then, how many families have what we would call “dead-beat dads”?  Men who are there in body only, but do not recognize their role as a father.  Oh they may be a buddy to a child, they may take them places once in a while thinking that the occurrence makes them a father, but they are not there to guide, to discipline, to teach.
       Joseph was a man who took on the responsibility to raise Jesus.  He was a man who was very familiar with the Old Testament, and now it was his duty to raise the One who would bring in the New Testament.  He must have been a man who was looking for the Messiah, and I wonder if he knew that he was raising the Messiah?  Notice, Mary was visited by Gabriel to tell her the good news and of her being chosen, but it was to Joseph that the messages came.  He was told to marry her, he was told what to name the child, he was told to leave Bethlehem, and he was told to return from Egypt.  The word of the Lord came to Joseph and he acted upon it.
       “And did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.  And he [Joseph] called His name JESUS.” (Matthew 1:25, NKJV)  Here we have a man listening to the word in a dream, knowing the written word, and was going to be responsible in raising the living Word.  How about that for responsibility?  Upon Joseph lay the responsibility of raising Jesus in the words of the Law.  It was up to Joseph to name Him, to take Him to the temple and to present Him to the Lord.  What we see following that is, “And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” (Luke 2:40, NKJV)
       In our day, the man of the house is to be ridiculed.  He is to be mocked, and as C.S. Lewis said, made to be a man without a chest.  No backbone in today’s society–that would not be true of Joseph.  He would have been a hard worker, he would have provided for his family both in the area of security, sustenance, and spiritual.  He was not rich, but he had a work ethic and he was a man of character.  He was a man who might not stand out in the crowd, but he was a man who stood out to the Father.  Upon this man–Joseph–was laid the burden and responsibility of raising His Son.