GOD'S STORY

“The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2, ESV)

Life is a story, comprised of the heavenly realm and the earthly realm. What is God’s story, how does Jesus contribute to the story, and why is the Spirit a critical part of the story? To comprehend God’s story, knowing a portion of my story may help – the story of preparing for ministry.

Six months after graduating from High School, I began my enlistment in the US Air Force. After serving overseas on the island of Okinawa, the last two years were spent stationed near the Black Hills of South Dakota. While praying at a church altar during a Sunday evening service, I sensed a beckoning call to prepare for vocational ministry. The church pastor encouraged me to start considering a Bible college to attend. I made two inquiries: The alma mater of the pastor, and a college close to my hometown in Washington. The pastor’s institution never replied but the school nearest my home accepted my application.

After being discharged from military service in December, my wife and I moved to the Pacific Northwest to prepare for ministry. Classes started in January, so to graduate with my classmates required completing the program in 3½ years. Our first child was born a month after starting college and our second child during the summer months between the Junior/Senior years. After a June graduation, we moved to Montana for our first ministry assignment.

As a married student, my involvement with other classmates was mainly in the classroom, library, and chapel. I was uncertain about what kind of ministry to prepare for, so I asked several ministerial students what they were planning to do. They mostly spoke of becoming a pastor, majoring in Biblical Studies, and minoring in Pastoral Theology. After reviewing these two programs in the academic catalog, neither seemed to fit my sense of purpose. While assessing other programs, I discovered one entitled, “Religion and Philosophy”, which lined up with my hopes and aspirations. After declaring this as my major, I selected “Speaking and Preaching” as my minor (a better title may have been “Communication”; it included studies in listening, interpretive reading, and group discussion).

The Religion and Philosophy major required the classes in the Biblical Studies program plus church history, logic theory, ancient philosophy, historical theology, and two years, instead of one, of language study (New Testament Greek). The first year of Greek involved learning the linguistic structure. The end of the first year and the entire second year included translating four New Testament books, primarily to understand the four main writing styles used within the Roman Empire during the first century.

After completing the language study, I looked for a translation that was like my version of Mark, Ephesians, James, and 1 John. The New American Standard Version (NASV) was almost word for word with my own efforts and became my study Bible.

The work of translating involves textual criticism. Phrase structure and word selection must be personally determined – such as, should the word “steadfastness” or “endurance” be used (2 Peter 1:6); is the word “grasped” or “exploited” a better fit (Philippians 2:6); is the word “despising” or “ignoring” more appropriate for the context (Hebrews 12:2)? No matter how translators attempt to remain neutral, their theological platform influences their phraseology and word usage.

The Bible translations used in most churches are good, yet every translation has strengths and weaknesses. The NASV is recognized by scholars to be the most literal, but the sentence structure is sometimes awkward, causing needless difficulty remembering Scripture. The English Standard Version (ESV) is much more functional for memorization.

The New International Version (NIV) is an extremely popular translation, interpreted by a consortium of evangelical theologians. Yet, some phrases and words lean heavily toward Calvinism, favoring TULIP terminology. If someone considers reform theology as having some serious inconsistencies, the NIV becomes uncomfortable for study purposes.

A favorite college course for ministerial students is Systematic Theology. This manner of study is designed to establish beliefs by the declarations of Scripture and create clear-cut rules for faith and practice. The organized concepts are to come from the didactic (teaching) books, such as Romans, and not the historical (narrative) books, such as Acts. Yet, the combination of both the teaching and historical books are required for gaining a clear picture of God; they flow harmoniously together.

The first two chapters of the Old Testament, written by Moses, uses teaching and narrative to give a more accurate revelation of God’s nature. Genesis 1 (the first creation story) reveals God as the Hebrew Elohim, the majestic God. The beautiful poem is not a scientific treatise but teaches that God made everything out of nothing by verbal commands. Creation is also revealed as done in an orderly fashion, with the Almighty doing everything methodically, completely, and perfectly.

Genesis 2 (the second creation story) shows God as the Hebrew YHWH, the personal LORD. The name was mentioned only once a year on the Day of Atonement, in the Holy of Holies, by the High Priest – the holiest day, in the holiest place, by the holiest person. The correct pronunciation of the name is not entirely certain. YHWH was so revered that it was considered inappropriate to record the full spelling – vowels were omitted. The pronunciation evolved by adding the first letter from God’s other names recorded in Scripture – Adonai (Lord) and Elohim (God). The result was a two-syllable word: YHWH became Yahweh (LORD).

The word Yahweh gives attention to “the One who is”, his personal nature. Genesis 2 is a detailed narration of when the holy Lord God created the first man and woman. He is portrayed as personally shaping, forming, and breathing life into his image and likeness.

Through two creation stories, Moses introduces God majestically and personally, creating both by verbal commands (Genesis 1), and by intimate touch (Genesis 2). Using both instruction and narration the divine story begins, with the opening scene located in the Garden of Eden – the Lord God created a perfect dwelling place, a civilization of cooperation, but mankind chose a culture of competition, and everyone now lives with the consequence.

Scripture is more than a life roadmap, or a lifetime instruction manual, or a lifestyle handbook; it is God’s story, a beautiful drama, a five-act play – Creation, Choice, Consequence, Covenant, Coming King – with the encore of a New Creation. The production moves from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2) to the renewed Garden of Eden called the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22). To add suspense to the drama, God appears in the flesh at the end of Act 4 and personally introduces the concluding Act – “Your Kingdom come, your will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.” Today, we are living in the Last Scene of the Final Act, the eve of His imminent return. Gaining a clear understanding of God involves his relationship with heaven and earth, from creation to new creation, with Jesus Christ in the middle.

A few years ago, I came across a translation of John 1 (a historical narrative’s explanation of creation) that interprets the opening lines with a clearer focus. The NASV & ESV reads: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  One translation expresses the narrative this way: “Before time itself was measured, the Voice was speaking. The Voice was and is God.” (The Voice Bible)

The literal rendering of the Greek word “logos” is “word”, but words are how we communicate, and we communicate with the voice. The voice is the act of speaking, involving both sides of communication, what is spoken and what is heard. A voice is distinct and personal, bridging the gap between the sender and the receiver. The voice distinguishes people from one another. By the Word, God is definitively speaking and revealing himself to those willing to listen.

Merge John 1 with Hebrews 1 (a teaching letter’s interpretation of creation). Very similar to the NASV, the ESV reads: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Another translation better captures the essence of the passage: “Throughout our history God has spoken to our ancestors by his prophets in many different ways. The revelation he gave them was only a fragment at a time, building one truth upon another. But to us living in these last days, God now speaks to us openly in the language of ‘Son,’ the appointed heir of everything, for through him God created the panorama of all things and all time.” (The Passion Translation)

We speak to one another in English; God speaks to his creation in “Son”. Jesus is the voice accurately communicating the powerful activity of the living God.

John and Hebrews (narration and instruction) challenges the notion that faith in God can be reduced to rules or doctrines that can be merely believed or dismissed and not lived out in Christ. Systematic theology has value in understanding God’s aspirations but only when abiding alongside, and in close proximity to, story theology. When disengaged from story theology, systematic theology ends up deficient, defacing the majestic and personal God. Comprehending God’s nature requires the blending of teaching and history – declared truth and portrayed truth.

Studying Scripture is not just learning facts about faith and organizing them into a reasonable outline. A living faith in God is about knowing his story – “its plot, the characters, the protagonist, the villains, the struggle and the resolution; it is knowing the church’s place and our own place, within that story, the ongoing divine drama.” (N. T. Wright)

When anyone attempts to establish their life merely by decrees, proclamations, and laws, they fail to achieve what God intended; namely, to listen and abide in the Son, be led and walk in the Spirit, and reflect and reveal the living, breathing, pulsating, creating God. Scripture helps you recognize his voice, so you can increasingly and progressively fulfill your specific role in his story as it unfolds and expands.

“The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2) Everything orbits around the Spirit of God resting over his creation, especially those who abide in the Son of God, displaying his mirror image. Followers of Jesus are to be dynamically engaged by the power of the Spirit in the last scene of his amazing five-act drama, which is enriched with a glorious finale.

A classic song of the church written by Fanny Crosby includes the resounding chorus: “Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O come to the Father through Jesus the Son, and give Him the glory, great things He hath done.” (To God Be the Glory).

The older way of representing God involves standing with two tablets in your hand, declaring to others holy directives and pronouncements (Exodus 20). The newer way includes kneeling with a towel in your hand, cleansing others by the holy touch of grace (John 13). Through speaking and kneeling, give a true and clear narrative of God’s majestic and personal story.

Adhere to his voice, live in the Spirit, and, within the circumstances and situations of life, be an ongoing, resounding story of praise to God.

THE LORD'S PRAYER AND 23RD PSALM

My morning begins each day by having a private time with the Lord. The practice started when in college. Initially, as a husband, a father of young children, a student with a full load of academic classes, a fulltime job at a banking system, and an active member of a local church, the devotional time was usually brief, just a few moments. Sometimes, my time while driving somewhere completed what was started in our small apartment.

Today, as a senior adult, personal time with the Lord has transitioned into hours. Mornings involve Scripture reading (usually from more than one translation), prayer, study, meditation, and journaling. I sometimes grieve of how little time was given to this spiritual discipline when I stood regularly behind a pulpit every week. There would have been more life-changing truths given to the people who regularly heard my sermons.

One morning, while giving thanks to God for his goodness and grace, a strong prompting stirred in me to start memorizing Scripture once again. In the late ’70s and early ’80s, I gave oversight to a small congregation in Minnesota, my first assignment as the main pastor. I took it upon myself to memorize 1 Timothy, one of the pastoral letters of the New Testament. Eventually, the busyness of sermon preparation, church administration, counseling, visitation, outreach, and church maintenance, ended the practice.

Now, decades later, I found myself sensing the need to commence the daily routine. I asked the Lord to guide me to the most personally beneficial passages and to help me to accomplish the task. But, where was I supposed to begin?” Back at the beginning!

As a young child, my family did not regularly attend church. My involvement in a local church ended during Kindergarten.

A few of us neighborhood boys often played together, primarily Victor Hardy, Stevie Nelson, Dean Jackson, and myself. Dean attended the nearby Presbyterian Church, not because he wanted to, but his grandmother required it of him; he was just as devilish as the rest of us. Dean frequently tried to get out of attending church but, if you knew his grandmother, that was impossible.

Each summer, Dean attended a Vacation Bible School. One year, the prize for bringing the most friends was an item he wanted and asked me to attend. The teacher was probably not very happy with his selection of a guest; our behavior was far from angelic – disruptive and unruly. However, when the week was over, I had learned the Lord’s Prayer and the 23^rd Psalm.

I decided that my pursuit to once again memorize Scripture would start with these two passages. I started with the Lord’s Prayer, something I had sung at weddings but rarely gave thought to.

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory,

forever. Amen (Matthew 6:9–13 ESV)

Although the caption in numerous Bibles is entitled “The Lord’s Prayer”, a better subtitle would be “The Disciple’s Prayer”. Jesus taught his followers to pray this way; a Lord’s prayer is recorded in John 17.

There are many wonderful lessons contained in this perfectly structured prayer. However, I wish to only show what came from memorizing; what energized a passion to transition Scripture from mind-knowledge to heart-knowledge.

With the Lord’s prayer in my heart, words and phrases came to mind throughout the day in various circumstances and situations, prompting further inquiries about phrases and word meanings. By additional research and study, the simple prayer took on greater intensity and significance. Through pondering, it became personalized and the content captivated my personality.

Whenever I outwardly recite the prayer, as recorded in Scripture, my inward nature realizes:

Our Father in heaven,

let your name remain holy.

Let your holy kingdom come,

let your holy will be done,

In the very core and structure of the earth,

as it is done in the very core and structure of heaven.

Please, give us this day our basic needs of life,

both tangible and intangible:

A mind filled with peace,

a heart filled with joy,

a body filled with health,

and a soul filled with love.

And, please forgive us our numerous violations

of thought, of word, and of action,

as we also have forgiven all those who violate us.

Lead us away from temptation

to the place where evil no longer tempts.

And deliver us from the evil one,

and the day of evil, which is to come.

For Yours is the kingdom,

and the power and the glory are of Your kingdom,

for time without end.

As one of Your many followers

I make this request to You, Lord God,

please bring it to pass for Your namesake. Thank you.

The Lord’s Prayer became much more alive and meaningful through the doorway of memorization.

Then what happened to the 23^rd Psalm when it transitioned from mind-knowledge to heart-knowledge? This is what is recited:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

                   

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

forever. (Psalm 23 ESV)

Inwardly, however, I hear:

The Lord is my perfect Caregiver, he is my every need.

He makes me lie down in fresh meadows.

He leads me beside waters of rest. He restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I nervously stroll

through the valley of deep darkness,

I calmly fear no evil, for you are with me;

your instructions and guidance make me brave.

You prepare a feast of gladness before me

in the presence of my adversaries;

you anoint my being with your Spirit;

my cup of joy overflows.

Only steadfast love and mercy shall accompany me

all the remaining days of my life,

and then I shall dwell in the Lord’s visible presence

for time without end.

A greater sense of peace and joy, connected to a more in-depth sense of His presence, awaits those who pursue for themselves, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against you.” (Psalms 119:11)

Here are some practical thoughts about memorizing:

Ask the Lord to guide you into what you should personally memorize. Gain an ear to hear his voice as part of the transforming process.

I memorize mostly in the English Standard Version of the Bible; it is an excellent translation and uses the most common sentence structures of today. Since restoring the practice of memorizing Scripture, verses from Numbers, Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Matthew, John, Romans, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Hebrews, and 2 Peter are now part of the fertile soil of my soul. Some passages contain only a few verses (such as Job 19:23-27; John 14:1-3), other passages are lengthier (such as Psalms 139, John 15, and Romans 12). To help with retention, the memorized Scripture is recited daily, throughout the day during undemanding moments.

There is no timetable for memorizing. The passage being learned, or a portion of that passage, is recited every morning until it can be spoken, by memory, naturally and with normal voice intonations. The verses most recently memorized, John 1:1-18, began January 1 and became fully memorized by March 30. Presently, Hebrews 1:1-4 is being memorized and a passage in Proverbs is scheduled next.

An additional benefit to Scripture memorizing is greater mental retention. During the earlier years of ministry, when regularly speaking to others, I was very dependent upon pages of written notes. Today, when an occasion comes, I rarely need to use any.

Older people often become anxious about losing their memory or having reduced mental capabilities. The brain is a muscle that needs exercise, just like the rest of the body. This spiritual practice strengthens mental comprehension and retention.

During your daily quiet time with the Lord, add to Scripture reading, meditation, Bible study, research, prayer, and thanksgiving, the practice of memorizing God’s word. Ask the Lord to lead you to what verses in the Bible you need to shift from a simple mind-knowledge to a wonderful heart-knowledge. The Holy Spirit will faithfully show you what to memorize and will move you into a more transforming realm of abiding in Christ.

The Anxious Heart

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things–-which things you have also learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4–9 ESV)

Understanding human behavior involves examining the inner core of a person – the heart. The issues of life come out of the blending of intellect, emotion, and volition (will). In the center of the Bible, the heart of the book, are three writings that help manage these three attributes of the human condition.

The book of Job deals with the Volition; it is all about the will. Three friends tried to force their will upon Job, and Job attempted to force his will upon God. A verse often quoted by people to affirm faith is usually quoted outside its intended tenor (Think: Satire). Job is upset, feeling he is being victimized by God, and says, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15) He is not affirming faith but expressing arrogance: “Though God shames me by his actions, I will honor him with my attitude.” Job was telling his friends that his attitude was superior to God’s actions. Therefore, the Lord should yield his behavior to Job’s perspective. Eventually, Job is confronted with a clearer vision of reality and places his Volition back under the care of the Almighty.

The book of Proverbs gives attention to the Intellect. Godly wisdom needs to transform human thinking. The numerous pithy sayings shape the mind to correctly live with a sense of awe and wonder before God, producing humble and truthful affections for Him.

The book of Psalms is filled with every type of Emotion – joy, anger, love, hate, affection, jealousy, surrender, revenge, arrogance, humility. Not a human feeling is omitted in the ancient hymnal. It permits us to give God our rawest emotions, venting the heart and stabilizing the mind during the teetering moments of reaction. People are to regularly yield to the Lord both the thrills and frustrations of life, preventing them from growing into misguided bliss or raging bitterness.

In 2017, I spent Pentecost Sunday in Jerusalem. After attending church in the Old City, I sat on the south steps of the Temple Mound and reflected on the sermon Peter preached a week after the risen Savior ascended into heaven. For me, it was a hope-filled meditation: Approximately 2000 years ago, in a morning gathering at the Temple, the Holy Spirit empowered the newly created church and mass conversions soon followed.

Not wishing to be jostled by the typical afternoon crowds in the narrow passageways of the Old City, I walked along the broad roadway adjacent to the Kidron Valley. When eyeing the traditional site of the Garden of Gethsemane, I wondered about Jesus’ final journey to the place of agonizing prayer. What was he thinking and feeling? A few issues were discussed with his followers while traveling, yet he left the Last Supper distraught about the immediate future. In the quiet moments, when not conversing with friends, what were his thoughts?

The gospel narratives show the Passover meal as filled with emotion; Jesus experienced both deep affection and great disappointment. He then headed to an olive orchard with a heavy heart. Short from experiencing death, this time of prayer would prove to be the worst agonizing moment a person could ever endure. What happens when emotions are depleted and disjointed? Lovers of God are often drawn to the centuries-old songs of the covenant, the Psalms.

Thinking about the Psalms came naturally to Jesus. In trying circumstances, he would quote from the songbook. Consider a statement made while being crucified on the cross: the heart-wrenching moaning, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me!” (Literally: “Why are You so far from helping Me!”) Was he quoting Psalms 22:1 as a Messianic testimony? In the emotion of the moment, was He signaling the crowd of onlookers to recall the psalm’s entire lyrics; was He challenging them to ponder the whole poetic prose?

Devout Jews would have immediately detected the framing of His cry. This was not a random thought but a familiar song, regularly sung. They would recognize his torturous groaning in its proper context. Psalms 22 would appear both individually reflective, as well as corporately prophetical. The song was reinforcing his love for both friend and foe in the definitive time of Passion.

At Gethsemane, the site of an olive press, a crushing experience was awaiting him. Would the terrain toward the garden have caused a song of comfort to come to mind? If so, which Psalm aligns with the Kidron Valley while walking to a place of prayer? May I suggest:

               The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

                    He makes me lay down in green pastures (the Garden), (Matthew 26:39)

                    He leads me beside still waters (Kidron brook), He restores my soul.

                    He leads me in paths of righteousness, For His name's sake. (Matthew 26:42)

                    Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; (Kidron valley)

                    I will fear no evil for you are with me, your rod and staff they comfort me.

                    You prepare a table (of prayer) before Me, in the presence of My enemies; (Matthew 26:25)

                    You anoint My head with oil (Gethsemane), My cup overflows. (Matthew 26:39)

                    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my [remaining] life;

                    and [then] I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23, transposed)

Was this the Psalm that would strengthen Jesus for his ordeal? Maybe not, maybe another, but the collection of Hebraic songs was created for times like these.

Consider another example from the life of Peter: The letter entitled “2 Peter” was initially viewed with suspicion and became the last manuscript added to the New Testament. The penmanship and content caused facets of controversy; it was unquestionably different from his first letter. Yet, when considering the content of Mark’s gospel as coming from Peter, then the letter entitled “1 Peter” may also have been inscribed by someone helping him clarify and organize his thoughts, possibly Silas or Mark (1 Peter 5:12-13). Second Peter may be the only document actually penned by him, giving the clearest picture of his testimony, his message, and his personality.

The letter shows the feelings of the emissary shortly before his execution, when emotions were unsettled and restless. Was he meditating on a Psalm while imprisoned, awaiting his impending doom? Are there clues in 2 Peter that indicate an ancient poem was filling his thoughts and settling his nerves? Before reading his final letter, hopefully without interruption, consider Psalms 90 (the prayer of Moses):

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

                   

                    You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of Adam!”

                    For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.

                   

You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.

                   

For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

                   

For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their pride is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?

                   

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants and your glorious power to their children. Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! (Psalm 90 ESV)

Now read 2 Peter. Was this Psalm transforming his emotions with grace and truth, bringing his feelings into harmony with heavenly thoughts, while contemplating his final task and immediate future? Maybe!

The risen Savior promises those who follow him: “Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:1–3 ESV)

The best posture for your heart (Intellect, Emotion, and Volition) connects the Helper, sent from the Heavenly Father on Pentecost Sunday, with the contentment of a spiritual song. Let the Psalms fill your life with calmness and confidence.

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS CARD

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore, he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace. (Micah 5:2-5 ESV)

            The first Christmas card, as we know it, was designed in 1843 by the artist J.C. Horsley and measured about the size of a postcard. From his design, one thousand cards were lithographed and hand-colored three years later for Sir Henry Cole, the first director of the South Kensington Museum, London. The card showed a Victorian family celebrating the spirit of the season around a table. They were making a toast to the health and happiness of their family and friends. Flanking the scene of cheer and celebration, in stark contrast, were two phrases: “Clothing the naked,” and “Feeding the hungry.”

            The first Christmas card did not set too well with most church people. The scene contained too much revelry and the reminder of benevolence was too graphic and convicting.

            Actually, Horsley and Cole’s creation was not the first Christmas card. The first announcement of celebration and cheer occurred before the Incarnation of Christ, the honor going to the prophet Micah. His card had the backdrop of Bethlehem on its cover and spoke of a glory that would come out of humility. The town was not considered great in the eyes of the public, but it would be the scene of one of the greatest events ever witnessed on earth.

            When the nation was divided, Micah was the final prophet of the northern kingdom and was a contemporary of Isaiah. He was the country preacher while Isaiah was the court preacher. Micah’s prophetic word includes three sermons. His first sermon announced that God Himself would soon respond in judgment to the waywardness of His people. His second sermon stated the Lord condemns anyone who plots and performs wickedness. His third sermon revealed God was angry with those pronouncing peace when there was no peace. The promoters of a false peace knew right from wrong yet they were saying what people wanted to hear instead of the truth. In this setting, Micah presented the first Christmas card; out of lowly Bethlehem would come a Shepherd who would not only bring peace but is the Author of peace. He would come as peace personified.

            The setting surrounding the first Christmas card is not much different than today The Lord is opposed to the proud and angered by wickedness. God is about to appear to address a world living in willful rebellion and selfishness. Yet, is there not hope for the individual who wants a different life and outcome? Yes! Christmas cheer is grounded in the message of Jesus.

            Micah’s announcement contains the true outline for a joyous Christmas.

A divine Shepherd has come

            The country preacher announced the Savior could be compared to someone tending sheep. Jesus used the same metaphor while here on earth.

            “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:11-16 ESV)

            A Shepherd has come emphasizes two blessings. First, those following Jesus belong and are embraced by the gracious Lord instead of a menial minion. Secondly, since they belong to Him, they are the special object of His affection and attention. He is so concerned for them that He is continually near them and cares for, protects, and guides.

            What God did, in sending His Son, reveals He is someone you can love instead of someone you should shun. Soren Kierkegaard described this love relationship in a story about a king and a maid. The story is a Christmas story, although not framed in that setting.

            “Once upon a time, a king fell in love with a maid. It’s an old theme on how love overcomes all barriers of class and of race and of nationality. But for all its beauty, the king did not see the matter easily resolved. Racking his mind and heart was the question: How to declare his love?

            “Unable to answer it, he summons to his palace all the wise people of his kingdom and put the question to them. As one, they responded: ‘Sire, nothing could be easier. Your majesty has but to appear in all your glory before the humble abode of the maid and, instantly, she will fall at your feet and be yours.’

            “But it was precisely that thought which so troubled the king. In return for his love, he wanted hers; not fear that would lead to her submission. He wanted her glorification, not his. What a dilemma: Declaring your love means the end of your beloved, and not declaring your love means the end of love.

            “Night after night he saw love’s truth: Freedom for the beloved demands equality with the beloved. So, late one night, long after his courtiers and counselors had returned to their chambers, the king stole out of a side door of the palace and appeared before the humble abode of the maid dressed in the garb of a servant.”

            God, during one of the darkest times in history, slipped out of His robe and came as a baby to reveal His great love. He came to us as one of us.

            The Lord came as a loving Shepherd.

Everyone can enter His fold

            People have an opportunity to abide in Christ and be cared for by Him.

            My wife and I have lived in the Black Hills on three separate occasions. When our oldest daughter was only five years old, we decided to cut down our own family Christmas tree. My little girl and I went with a friend from the church to find the perfect tree. He had grandparents who lived in a cabin nestled in the forest. They gave permission to remove a tree from their property.

            We set out from their home into the woods and came to a stream. Earlier in the week, the water was frozen but a warming trend got the stream flowing again. The best trees were located on the other side. An old log was laying across the ditch making it possible for us to crossover.

            My daughter was too scared to traverse the piece of fallen timber so I had her climb onto my back. Once we were on the log and she saw the water rushing under us, she started to wiggle. We were about to go into the stream. Instead of falling, I jumped in and landed on my feet with water up to my knees. I waded across to the other side with my daughter still on my back, perfectly dry. Although there is more to the story, when we got home I announced to my wife, “This tree may have been free but it cost a lot!”

            When your fears get the best of you, He carries you. And if the situation gets worse, His strength will support you to the other side.

            Included with this special relationship with God is the robe in His majesty. Jesus became a man in order that everyone might be clothed in truth and righteousness. The One who knew no sin became sin, providing people with a righteousness not of their own. Personal righteousness is insufficient and lacking, yet His righteousness places upon the believer a robe of majesty and might.

Peace is found in His fold

            A retired couple was alarmed by the threat of nuclear war so they undertook a serious study of all the inhabited places of the globe. Their goal was to ascertain a location least likely affected by a nuclear war; a place of ultimate security. They studied and traveled; traveled and studied. Finally, they found what they considered was the perfect setting. On Christmas, they sent their pastor a card from their new home, the Falkland Islands. Their paradise, shortly afterward, became a war zone for Great Britain and Argentina.

            Jesus promised, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

            There is no place you can go where peace is assured accept into the loving arms of the Lord. When someone yields their life to Jesus, they do not have to look for a perfect paradise; one is being prepared for them.

            Several years ago, a submarine was going through a series of test and had to remain submerged for many hours. When the vessel returned to the harbor, the captain was asked, “How did the terrible storm affect you last night?”

            The officer looked at him in surprise and responded, “Storm? What storm? We didn’t even know there was one!”

            The submarine had been so far beneath the surface that it reached the area known to sailors as “the cushion of the sea.” Although the ocean may be whipped into huge waves by high winds, the waters below were never stirred.

            The human heart will be protected against the distracting waves of worry when trust is placed in Jesus. Sheltered by His grace and encouraged by His Spirit, believers find the perfect tranquility that only Christ can provide.

Merry Christmas

            Take to heart Micah’s greeting in the first Christmas card. Make it personally meaningful: The Shepherd has come, enter His fold, and discover His peace. Make Jesus your Lord and come under His care. If you do, you will truly experience a very merry Christmas. Blessings!