–1 Chronicles 12:8 (NKJV)
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                    “I’m back in the saddle again,
                     Out where a friend is a friend…

                     Ridin’ the range once more
                     Totin’ my old 44.
                     Where you sleep out every night,
                     And the only law is right
                     Back in the saddle again.”
                              –Gene Autry

It is upon us, the new year of 2022.  We have moved from the gaiety and majesty of the Christmas season into a brand new year.  The wonder of Christmas with all of its mystery, truth, and power should propel us into the new year ready to gain new ground for the Lord, not only for the Kingdom of God, but within our individual lives as well.  So, here we go, back in the saddle.
       The world hasn’t changed much since yesterday of 2021.  But it will continue to turn and it would behoove you to be ready for what’s ahead.  I can tell you, without being a prophet, that there will be turmoil, continued confusion, some chaos, and storms will arise upon the land and in your life.  Face it all with grim determination to obey the will of the Lord.  The song above says, “And the only law is right.”  Seek the truth of God’s Word and practice it, then you will be obedient to the Word (and law) of God for He is the righteous Judge.  Of course, this year could also bring the return of the Lord for His Church–are you ready?
       Joseph Alleine, a 17th-century Puritan minister, penned the following words:  “Another week is now before us, let us spend this week for God.”  Let me change it slightly, “Another year is now before us, let us spend this week for God.”  Make that your resolution!  And I do believe in resolutions; I think we should make them often for it is good to change our lives for the better, and conform more to the image of Christ.  A resolution is not made to be broken!  No matter what the humorists think–they are goof-balls with that attitude.  Determine to make this a better year and thank God for life each day for it was given to you by the Lord to be used for His purpose and glory.
       Lots of things will be happening, do not let them frustrate you–trust in the Lord, for He is in control.  Things may not go your way, and it may seem that the Lord has forgotten you and allowed you to wander in the wilderness.  But my friend, He is there with you–a Friend that knows each and every step you take, and where your are going, along with what you might find along the way.  Don’t be timid in this new year, but hold on tight to His hand.
       It’s time to “saddle up” and head into the new year with a shout and a determination to follow the Lord in each step that you take.

To fight for his life is a privilege which God gives to every man.”

                    –James Oliver Curwood  (The Valley of Silent Men a Story of the Three River Country)

 

       “For with God nothing will be impossible.”

                    –Luke 1:37 (NKJV)

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I want to take a look at the words of a Christmas Carol.  I didn’t use them much this year, which is unusual for me.  But we live in a crazy, mixed-up world.  A world full of fear, anger, hatred, and bitterness.  There is anger from all quarters, and people are still running in fear from the virus that is among us.  I remembered a couple of verses from this great hymn penned by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  It would help you understand the carol better if you would take the time to read some of the life of Longfellow and to get the background from which he was writing.  I will say that it was in the midst of the turmoil of the Civil War.

 

               “And in despair I bowed my head:

                ‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said,

                ‘For hate is strong, and mocks the song

                Of peace on earth, good-will to men.'”

 

Here was a man in despair.  What was happening to his life, his family, and his country?  Hate is strong” my how true is that today.  But then something happened; he remembered from deep in his soul when he heard the sounding of the bells.

 

               “Then peeled the bells more loud and deep:

                ‘God is not dead: nor doth He sleep;

                The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

                With peace on earth, good-will to men.'”

 

God is still in control.  He does not waver, He is never taken by surprise, and He always cares for His children.  That made me think of an unusual Scripture of the Incarnation.

Remember, I wrote last week that I have often pondered the Incarnation.  We see much evil in the world today, but there was hatred, anger, and bitterness like never before on that first Christmas Eve–at least in the spiritual realm.  Often I have thought of what it must have been like in that realm with the Son putting aside His glory, leaving His throne in heaven to become man, even being born as a baby.

 

               “Now a great sign appeared in heaven:  a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.  Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.  And another sign appeared in heaven:  behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.  His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.  And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.  She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.  And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.”

                                –Revelation 12:1-5 (NKJV)

 

     Notice the dragon.  He was there, at the manger, ready to devour.  I always thought that Satan relished the thought of Jesus being born as a baby, thinking that it would be able to destroy Him.  As soon as Christ was born, the devil was ready to take action.  

     On a hillside, not far from Bethlehem, there was a “heavenly host” praising God and appearing to the shepherds.  I think it is interesting that this term is used.  In the Old Testament the often see God referred to as the “Lord of Hosts,” which means the commander of the armies of heaven.  When we see the angels at the birth of Christ, notice they are praying.  They do not have swords in their hands, but I think they were ready to draw them from their scabbards should they be needed to protect the baby Jesus.

     What a night that must have been, not only in the stable with Joseph and Mary with the birth of Jesus, but the spiritual world but have been extremely active.  Satan, the dragon, was ready to destroy.  The angels were there; there is no mention of Michael, but surely he was in the stable to confront the dragon if necessary.  My what a night; my what a story; my what a wonderful salvation and Savior.

           Ira Paine

               

P.S.  This is the last Echo until after Christmas.  I am not sure when I will begin again.  From my family to all of yours–MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

                    –Dan Arnold  (Bear Creek)

       “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

                    –Matthew 7:11 (NKJV)
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This coming Saturday is Christmas.  What first comes to your mind?  Is it the nativity and all it stands for?  Perhaps the Son of God as the baby in the manger?  Santa Claus?  Presents, gifts–that’s it isn’t it?  Christmas means gifts–not only the getting but the giving.  Now there is nothing wrong in receiving a gift, but it is better to give.  My Mom, who dearly loved Christmas, always had a gift for everyone in the family–nephews and nieces, brothers and sisters.  They may not be much, but she wanted everyone to have something.
         If we take the time, we should realize that a gift is really an extension of ourselves.  Whenever a gift is given, no matter to whom it is, you are exchanging a part of your life.  If the gift is frivolous, you are letting that person know it with your gift.  Oh, and we need to be careful with an extravagant gift; that may be boisterous, but not necessarily so, it could be very thoughtful.
       Many gifts, and rightly so, are gifts that keep on giving.  There are those gifts, and most of them should be, that whenever a person looks at them they will remember the person who gave it to them.  I recall one Christmas receiving several pairs of Lucchese boots.  Everytime I put them on, I think of the gift and the person who gave them to me.  Henry Van Dyke writes, “The finest Christmas gift is not the one that costs the most money, but the one that carries the most love.”
       Too often we buy in a hurry, because of our busy schedule (at least that is our excuse).  We buy thoughtlessly, not that we don’t want to get something a person would like, but that we wait too long to put much thought into it.  When you read the Gospels and look at the times when Jesus gave he always took time to think.  “Jesus thought before He gave; because He desired to satisfy the deepest need; because in fact He gave something of Himself in every gift.  All true Christmas-giving ought to be after this pattern.” (Van Dyke)
       Of course the greatest gift of Jesus to the world was Himself.  The greatest gift of the Father was His Son.  Jesus held back nothing.  He gave of Himself.  When we give a gift this Christmas we need to be conscious of the person to whom we are giving the gift.  I really like what Van Dyke says, “I am thinking of you to-day, because it is Christmas, and I wish you happiness.  And to-morrow, because it will be the day after Christmas, I shall still wish you happiness; and so on, clear through the year.”  We should understand and realize that everyone we come in contact with we can give a touch of Christmas.  It may only be a smile, and a hearty “Merry Christmas,” but it is coming from you.  “After all, Christmas-living is the best kind of Christmas-giving.” (Van Dyke)
       And let us not forget the wondrous gift that started with the Incarnation:  “For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”  (John 3:16, NKJV, emphasis mine).

                         –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.”