Today’s Truth  “When the angles had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:15 NIV)

 Friend to Friend
Today I want to share with you a story that I wrote a few years ago.  In it, I tried to imagine what it would have been like to be one of the shepherds that visited Jesus the first Christmas night. For just a moment, I want you to pretend that you are reading a letter that one of the shepherds wrote to his brother, Mathias.

 Dear Mathias,
As I am writing you this letter, my hand is still a bit shaky.  I’m not sure it will ever stop.  But I must tell you about an incredible experience that happened to Matthew, Simeon, Levi, and me, two weeks ago.  As usual, we were watching our sheep on a hillside east of Bethlehem.  I was on the night watch and the others were sleeping. There was something unusual about the sky that night.  I can’t explain it really.  Like heat reflecting off the desert sand, the stars seemed to be jockeying into place, fidgeting and restless in their usual stayed positions.  Diamonds danced on the inky backdrop rather than standing sure and still.  Even the sheep seemed to notice the heavenly mirage. 

Then it happened.  As if a curtain was pulled back, I saw what was stirring the stars….angels!  Yes, angels, angels, everywhere angels.  Immediately, the others awoke to the celestial lights, flapping of wings and the resonation of undistinguishable singing.

At first, only one spoke. “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Then, the curtain was drawn back even more and the sky was filled with angels!  “Glory to God in the highest!” they sang, “and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” 

The flapping of their wings stirred the air, whipped our hair, and blew our tunics in all directions.  Amazingly, the sheep were calm during this majestic occurrence.  It was almost as if this was nothing unusual happening. Perhaps this was not the first time they had seen angels.  Who knows?  We, on the other hand, were awestruck.  Tears streamed down our dusty cheeks. We fell to our knees, marveling at the beauty of heaven displayed before us. 

Then quietly and slowly, the curtain returned and the angels were no more.  We rose to our feet and began to run in the direction of Bethlehem to see this babe.  How did we know where to go? 

Mathias, the only way I know how to explain it is to think of my relationship to my sheep.  When I am grazing in a field with several of my friends and their flocks, our sheep get all mixed together.  Sometimes five different flocks can be mingled together at one time.  But as soon as I call to my sheep, they separate from the others and follow me home.  They know my voice.  Each and every one of them can distinguish the voice of their shepherd and they know whom to follow. 

That’s how it was that night.  It was as if a shepherd had called my name.  I knew his voice and he called me out from among all the rest.

Where did we go?  To a palace?  To a temple?  To a stately manor?  No, we went to a stable.  But isn’t that where a shepherd would call his sheep?  To a stable?

What did we see?  A burning bush like our ancestor Moses?  Writing on the wall?  A vision?  No, we saw a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger – just like the angel had said.  He didn’t speak, but somehow he called our names.  He is the Christ, Mathias.  The one of whom the prophets spoke.

Do you remember the prophet Isaiah’s words? “He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”  When I saw the babe (who later his parents told me was named Jesus) I knew this was the one the prophet spoke of.  And didn’t the prophet Micah say the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem?  It all makes sense to me now, and yet it is still a mystery. 

Why me?  Why did God choose to send the angels to announce the Savior’s birth to me – a lowly shepherd?  I don’t know the answer to that, my brother.  All I know is that one starry night, I was a shepherd.  And then God spoke my name and I became a sheep.  And now, my friend, God is calling your name as well.  

I don’t know what will become of this baby in the manger, but I do know this…the world will never be the same again – nor will I.

Shalom,
Your brother, the sheep.
©Sharon Jaynes

The Shepherd became a Sheep

By Sharon Jaynes

 The angels appeared and called to me

“Be not afraid, dear one.

For you are now a lowly sheep

For your God sent His Son.”

“Go to the babe and see him there

We will lead the way.

The shepherd has chosen you – a sheep

To celebrate this day.”

We ran and saw the baby there

I’ll never be the same.

He raised his eyes, said not a word,

And yet he spoke my name.

Years have passed and now I know

This babe became a man.

He lived and died and rose again

And now I understand.

“Follow me,” Jesus said,

“And I will lead the way.”

“My sheep listen, know my voice

And with me they will stay.”
 

I was a shepherd, to be sure.

My sheep slept at my feet.

But on that night the babe was born,

And I became a sheep.

©Sharon Jaynes 

Let’s Pray  Dear Heavenly Father, I am so glad that you sent the angels to common man – to proclaim the Savior’s birth to lowly shepherds.  And I am so glad that you looked down from heaven and chose to announce the Savior’s birth to a common girl – me.  Thank you for sending a Shepherd for me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen

 Now It’s Your Turn
The shepherds were not the only ones excited about Jesus’ birth.  Why not try your hand at some creative writing.  Imagine that you are one of the wise men (wise women).  Try writing a letter to one of your family members after visiting Jesus and delivering your gift.

 More From the Girlfriends
It is hard not to get so caught up in the pre-Christmas swirl of activity that we lose focus on what’s important.  If you would like ways to keep Jesus the focus of your holiday season, you’ll love Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas by Sharon Jaynes.  It’s packed with helpful ideas and holiday inspiration.

Today’s Truth 
“Suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests’” (Luke 2:13-14 NIV)

Friend To Friend 
When my son was four-years-old, I overheard him singing “O Holy Night” in his best vibrato voice.  I chuckled as I heard him bellow, “Long lay the world in sin and ever whining!”  Sin and error pining wasn’t in his vocabulary, but he definitely understood the concept of ever whining. The words to Christmas carols explain the gospel to many unsuspecting listeners.  I can still remember the exhilaration I felt hearing Joy to the world the Lord has come being sung over the intercom of a department store.  A preacher on a soapbox would have been offensive; however, the sweet music on the intercom was singing the gospel, with shoppers humming along. 

 During the holiday season, savor the richness of carols and use them for your own personal or family devotional times.

For example, let’s look at the words to Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Did you ever wonder why the angels were so excited?  The next line gives us a hint.  “Glory to the newborn King.”  They were excited because a new king was born!  Check out all those exclamation marks! The next line says “Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”  Some people are not too crazy about the word “sinner.”  But originally it was an archery term that meant the distance between the bull’s eye and where the arrow landed on the target.  Therefore, “sin” meant “to miss the perfect mark.”  And it still means that today.  Sin means to miss the mark of God’s perfection.  The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And because of that sin, we are separated from God.  We didn’t become a sinner the first time we did something wrong.  We were born that way…but the good news is that God didn’t leave us that way. 

The first verse of Hark the Herald Angels Sing tells us WHY Jesus came – to reconcile or join us back together with God.  It also tells us TO WHOM Jesus came – “to all nations.”  No wonder the angels were so excited! Verse two tells us WHO Jesus is.  Can you list all the descriptions of Jesus found in verse two?  He is adored in heaven.  He is the everlasting Lord.  He is the offspring of a Virgin’s womb.  He is God with flesh and bones.  He is Deity.  He is Emmanuel, which means, God with us. Verse three tells us HOW the Christ child made eternal life available to all mankind. He laid aside His glorious heavenly position, came to earth as a man, and gave His life so that we could experience a second birth- a spiritual birth- and live eternally in heaven.

This one Christmas carol shows WHY Jesus came, FOR WHOM He came, WHO He was, and HOW He would accomplish His purposes to reconcile us with the Father.  All that is packed into one Christmas carol!  Now pick out another carol and see what treasures are tucked inside.

Let’s Pray 
Dear Lord, when I read the words to Hark the Herald Angels Sing, I understand why there are so many exclamation marks.  I understand why the angels were so excited.  They had been waiting since the fall of man for Your marvelous plan of redemption to be set in motion.  Help me never forget Your amazing gift! 

In Jesus’ Name, 
Amen

Now It’s Your Turn 
Did you know all that theology was packed inside Hark the Herald Angels Sing?  Now, pick another favorite Christmas Carol from a hymnal, or write down the words from memory, and see what you can learn about Jesus and His birth.

It is hard not to get so caught up in the pre-Christmas swirl of activity that we lose focus on what’s important.  If you would like ways to keep Jesus the focus of your holiday season, you’ll love Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas by Sharon Jaynes.  It’s packed with helpful ideas and holiday inspiration.

December 16, 2009 

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style 

Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth 
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV).

Friend To Friend 
With Christmas just around the corner, it is easy to get so busy with the cooking, decorating and shopping that we forget why we’re doing all this in the first place.  Sometimes, the very people we love get lost in the hustle and bustle of packed schedules, holiday parties, and Christmas musicals.  This Christmas, let’s keep our focus on Jesus and not forget to invite the honored guest to His own birthday celebration.

Today, I want to share a poem that I wrote a few years ago that helps me keep a proper perspective on Christmas. 

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style 

©By Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family – I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family – I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family – it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of your way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never fails.  Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust.  But giving the gift of love will endure.

Let’s Pray 
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, that starry night in Bethlehem.  Like the Shepherds, I am still amazed at Your great love.  May I not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, but celebrate Jesus’ birthday with joy!

In Jesus’ Name, 
Amen

Now It’s Your Turn 
What are some ways that you can make sure to love your family well this holiday season?

Are there any activities that you need to eliminate from your busy schedule to alleviate over-commitment?  Is your family being neglected because of a hectic Christmas schedule?

If that question wasn’t painful enough, here’s another one.  Is Jesus being neglected as you prepare for His birthday?  Ouch!  I just stomped on my own toe!

Today’s Truth 
“I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13, 14 NIV).

Friend To Friend 
Myra was a woman battered and scarred from severe arthritis. Her legs were held captive in a wheelchair, but her soul was forever free.  With one pencil in each crippled hand, she used the erasers to type words on her typewriter.  The joy of her efforts in typing the words outweighed the pain of creating them.

One day, when a friend was leaving Myra’s home, she patted her wheelchair and said, “And I thank God for this!”  Prior to her wheelchair days, Myra’s talent had been hidden like a treasure in the sand.  But after the crippling affect of arthritis confined her, the talent locked away freed her.  God used one of her most precious poems to show me our incredible worth.

The Touch of the Master’s Hand It was battered and scarred, 
And the auctioneer thought it 
Hardly worth his while 
To waste his time on the old violin, 
But he held it up with a smile. 
“What am I bid, good people,” he cried, 
“Who starts the bidding for me?” 
“One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?” 
“Two dollars, who makes it three?” 
“Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three.” 
But, No, 
From the room far back a grey haired man 
Came forward and picked up the bow. 
Then wiping the dust from the old violin 
And tightening up the strings, 
He played a melody, pure and sweet, 
As sweet as the angel sings. 
The music ceased and the auctioneer 
With a voice that was quiet low, 
Said, “What now am I bid for this old violin?” 
As he held it aloft with its’ bow. 
“One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?” 
“Two thousand, who makes it three?” 
“Three thousand once, three thousand twice, 
Going and gone,” said he. 
The audience cheered, 
But some of them cried, 
“We just don’t understand.” 
“What changed its’ worth? 
Swift came the reply 
“The Touch of the Master’s Hand.” 
And many a man with life out of tune, 
All battered with bourbon and gin, 
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd 
Much like that old violin. 
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine 
A game and he travels on. 
He is gong once, he is going twice, 
He is going and almost gone. 
But the Master comes, 
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand, 
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought 
By the Touch of the Master’s Hand 
-Myra Brooks Welch

Let’s Pray 
Heavenly Father, my Creator, my life is much like that old violin.  It may not look like much to most, but because of the touch of the Master’s hands, I have great worth.  Thank You for touching my life.  Please use my hands today to give others a special touch from You.

In Jesus’ Name, 
Amen

Now It’s Your Turn 
Go back and read the words to Myra’s song.  How is your life much like the old violin?

Have you ever looked at another person and viewed them as worn out, broken or worthless?  Be honest.

What would God say about such a person?

Perhaps you know someone who feels worthless.  Today, consider speaking a word of encouragement to let them know just how precious they are to God.

If you would like to learn more about your true worth and begin seeing yourself as God sees you – as a chosen, holy, dearly loved child of the King – then check out Sharon’s book, I’m Not Good Enough…and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves.