–Ron Schwab  (Grit)

       “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”

                        –Luke 1:46-47 (NKJV)
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Paul speaks of the “fullness of times.”  Christmas is one of those “times” that is easily recognized.  In the midst of all that was going on in the heavenlies and the spiritual realm God had to bring in the human element for the Christ was to be born of woman.  When I wrote of Joseph last week, I mentioned that I had often pondered the Incarnation.  It is grand, it is mysterious, it is simple yet complex.  I don’t understand it but I live in wonder of it.   The Son of God, born as a baby, destined to die on the cross for the sins of mankind.  
       Think for a few minutes of Mary.  She was between the ages of 13-16 years old, and some say she might even have been twelve.  She was betrothed to Joseph when one day the angel Gabriel appeared to her.  That in itself must have startled her, but what he told her must have been almost overwhelming.  He said she had “found favor with God.”  Imagine a 14-year-old hearing that from an angel in her presence, but then he said that she would have a son.  Not just any son but the Son of God for He would be conceived of the Holy Spirit and would be called the “Son of the Highest.”  She shook her head–impossible; but then Gabriel told her “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37, NKJV).  
       Upon hearing those words, Mary uttered those now familiar words.  The words of an obedient servant of the Most High, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord!  Let it be to me according to your word.”  The wonder of a young girl willing to be the mother of the Son of God.
       I have wondered about what happened after she was pregnant, and I imagine after she spoke to Joseph, she went to visit her aunt.  Why is there no mention of her telling her mother?  Did her parents spurn her since she was pregnant?  Did they think she committed an immoral act and not believe what Mary told them of the conception and the words of the angel?  Was she an orphan, therefore she went to visit an older woman?  Hmmm.
       I will not go into the exchange when Elizabeth greeted Mary, but she asked Elizabeth the question, “Why me?”  They must have had interesting conversations for Mary stayed with Elizabeth and her mute husband for three months, then went back to Nazareth and the gossip of the town.  Then on top of the pregnancy she had to travel with Joseph seventy miles to Bethlehem.  
       When my oldest was born, she was stubborn.  She didn’t come on her due date, or the day after.  Finally, a week later I took Annie on a trip up the Rampart Range Road.  I figured the washboards on the rugged dirt road might shake her loose.  Whether it worked or not a few days later she was born.  Mary, nine months pregnant, rode on the back of a donkey over the rugged roads of Judea.  In her mind, the timing might not have been the best, but remember “in the fullness of times.”  It wasn’t the best of circumstances, but Mary bore the journey.  Then, the problems were not over, there was no place for them to stay.  Joseph found refuge for them in a stable where Mary gave birth.
       Take time to read the thoughts of Mary for they show her character.  Read her famous words in Luke 1:46-55, ponder them, contemplate them.  Then consider all that was involved in the conception, the journey, the birth of Jesus.  Mary certainly did; all the things that happened she “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19, NKJV).  
       Amazing isn’t it?  Wondrous and mysterious, yet we should take heart in this story for God knows the future.  He knows each of us and He has special things planned for our lives.  We need to be willing as was Mary and say, “Let it be to me according to your word.”

                    –Louis L’Amour  (The Daybreakers)

       “For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.”

                    –Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World

Key Verse:  “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”  –1 John 5:19 (NASB)

Right off I want us to look at several verses from 1 John 5.  They come right to the point of our life.

          1 — Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.
          2 — By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.
          3 — For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
          4 — For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. (NASB)

John states, what he has already written about in the Gospel of John, that there is a new birth.  He doesn’t try to prove it, but simply assumes the doctrine of the new birth that results in salvation.  Far too many people have the notion that being a Christian is simply living a good life.  No, it means that a person is now “born of God”–they are a new creation.  That individual is different from those who are not Christian; they see the world differently.
       Paul writes the same thing in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:  for they are foolishness unto him.”  Why do we then wonder that we have so little in common with those around us?  They walk to the sound of the world, not the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Our whole faith must be focused on the Lord Jesus Christ; it is what we believe about Him that makes us Christian.

               “If I believe, I commit my whole life to Him.  If I believe, I know that I am delivered because Christ has done that for me.  I see that apart from Him I am lost and undone and doomed.  This is a profound action; it is a commitment; it is a banking of one’s everything upon that fact.”
                              –D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

       Here are some questions that you need to ask yourself.  The answer to these might give an indication of whether or not you have commited your whole life to Him.

            1)  Is my Christian living a task?
            2)  Is it something that I resent and object to?
            3)  Do I spend my time trying to get out of it?
            4)  Am I trying to compromise with the life of the world?
            5)  Am I just living on the edge of the Christian life, or do I want to get right into the center and live the life of God and be perfect even as my Father in heaven is perfect?

Where do you stand in your relationship to God?  Do not be among those who think that it is just another term, another religion.  Jesus is the only way, there is no other way to the Father except through the blood of Jesus Christ.  It should be part of our daily prayer that we hunger and thirst after righteousness instead of seeking the things of the world.

                   –Luke 2:7 (KJV)
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Christmas!  a great time of the year.  But why?  Where is the focus?  Is it on business as usual, or on the Christ-child?  Is it on the hustle and bustle of the time, or is it on the birth of Jesus?  Christmas is a wonderful time to sit down and look at priorities.  It is a time to regather your focus on the important things of life, and nothing is more important than your relationship with Jesus Christ–the reason for the season.
       I cannot remember the first time I heard the term “Advent.”  It was not a term used in our little Assembly of God church; it seemed like it fit better into the more mainline, liturgical churches.  Perhaps there was fear about using such a term, but we did celebrate “Advent.”  There was always the Christmas story and the play with children acting out the nativity scenario.  
       Since that time I have no problem using the term, since I have come to know what it actually means.  In fact, I enjoy liturgy and tradition and they can be a wonderful addition to teaching the truths of the Incarnation.  However, there is also the danger that the liturgy and tradition become the focus of worship rather than the Jesus and the purpose of His birth.  The same is true in a lesser sense with family.  Most families have a certain “liturgy” they follow on Christmas and traditions.  They can bring the family closer together and help them bond as a unit, but if not careful the traditions get in the way of the importance of the family.  
       It is up to each of us to keep proper focus.  The liturgy can enhance the meaning of the season or we can become bored with the same old thing again.  It should never get that way!  Boredom has no place in Christmas!  It is a time of excitement, of happiness and joy.  A time of singing, laughter, and smiles.  It should never become, “bah, humbug.”  If we get to that point we need to get back to the manger and get a fresh renewal of the meaning of Christmas.  
       The same is true of families.  Christmas is not just for children; it is for all of humankind.  If not careful the wonderful family traditions can become boring as well.  Here we go again, has no place in Christmas.  I always look forward to the grand, whole picture of Christmas, then enjoy the wonderful details.
       So what then is “Advent”?  I like what James S. Stewart says regarding “Advent.”  “It means the glory of the coming of the Lord.  It means the breaking in of the divine into human history, of the supernatural into the natural.  It means a sense of something great impending from the side of of heaven.”  Seldom is heard in the churches the majestic carols that speak forth the truth of Advent.  The meaning of “O Come, O Come, Immanuel!” is lost, unless, unless we strive to look at the wonder of the birth of Jesus and His purpose in coming as a baby to this earth.  Stewart continues, “Be still, my soul; for God will surely come.  That is Advent.”
     
               “Jesus, thou art all compassion,
                Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
                Visit us with thy salvation;
                Enter ev’ry trembling heart.”
                            –Charles Wesley

       The purpose of Advent, that one time in history, that one moment in the universe when everything was right for the birth of Jesus then is to bring us to the Father through Him.  Look at the purpose of the season:  Hope, Peace, Love, Joy.  Let this wonderful time of the year cause you to dwell upon the meaning, and upon the Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

                    –Romans 9:26 (NKJV)
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Today we finish off Psalm 68, and it will be our last look at the Psalms until 2022.  Can you believe that?  The year is almost gone, on the horizon is the dawning of a new year, but that’s another “Echo.”  Someone has said that the end of Psalm 68 speaks of the “Psalmist’s View of the World.”   “There in the foreground is the Temple, inhabited by the God of Israel.  The kings of all the other nations are coming to pay tribute to the Lord in Jerusalem.  Egyptians and Ethiopians come from afar to bow before him offering their gifts.  The mighty nations of the world fade into the background because the Lord is the ruler of all, and he lives right here among his people.” (William Petersen)  Get that image in your mind as you read the rest of the Psalms.
          27 — There is little Benjamin, their leader, the princes of Judah and their company, the princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali.
          28 — Your God has commanded your strength; strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.
          29 — Because of Your temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring presents to You.
          30 — Rebuke the beasts of the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, till everyone submits himself with pieces of silver.  Scatter the peoples who delight in war.
          31 — Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God.
          32 — Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord.    Selah
          33 — To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old!  Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice.
          34 — Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, and His strength is in the clouds.
          35 — O God, You are more awesome than Your hold places.  The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.   Blessed be God!  (NKJV)

       We see a mighty victory procession.  The war is over, not just the battle.  Could it allude to Armageddon when Christ will come and rule from Jerusalem?  Could very well be.  There is praise, there is tribute, there is recognition to the Lord, the God of gods.  All will submit to Him.
       As we go through life it is important not to only look at the immediate but remember the whole of life.  Eternity must be kept in view.  Through the midst of sorrows, problems, and difficulties our eyes should not be focused on them but on the Lord.  Never forget, He has the last word, therefore, walk through life keeping that last phrase etched in your mind and heart–“Blessed be God!”

                    “The whole triumphant host give thanks to God on high;
                    ‘Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!’ they ever cry.
                    Hail Abraham’s God and mine!  With heaven our songs we raise;
                    All might and majesty are thine, and endless praise.”
                                      –Thomas Olivers