The Shepherds…….. Chose to Overcome their Fear

Luke 2:8-20

The words, “shepherds watching their flocks by night,” paint an idyllic picture of peace and beauty that we associate with the Christmas season. The reality of  shepherds’ lives during Jesus time, however, was far from idyllic. 

Shepherds were the social outcasts of Jesus’ day. They were considered thieves and blamed when sheep came up missing from the flock. Living out of doors 24/7 meant they were filthy and smelled like sheep and all that goes with them. The duties of their job brought them in daily contact with insects, blood, feces and carcasses of animals which made them ceremonially unclean.

Being rejects, losers, mistrusted and despised, it is not too hard to imagine that they might have had much to fear from life and others around them.

 

What is your greatest fear this Christmas? Do you fear the expense, the tension of seeing certain family members or perhaps you fear buying the wrong gift?

 

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  

Sometimes as we go about our daily life, God steps in and does something that surprises or even scares us. That’s what happened to the shepherds

How has God surprised you recently? Has this “surprise” been a welcome one or has it caused you to be fearful of what it might mean? In what way(s) are you afraid?

 

¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The angel’s first words to the shepherds were “Do not be afraid.” Those are God’s words to us, also. The shepherds did not need to be afraid because the angel had great news for them.

Is it possible that God also has good news for you? What good might come from the “surprise” God has given you?

¹⁵ When the angels 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.”

The shepherds heard the news and decided to act upon what they heard. In spite of their fear, they chose to see if what the angel said was true.

 What will you do about the “surprise” God has given you? How will you find the good news that God has for you?

  

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

           

The shepherds found that God’s word, spoken through the angel, was true. They celebrated by telling everyone they met.

 

How will you respond when God’s word comes true? Will you share the good news with others?

 

Because the shepherds chose

to overcome their fear, they saw Jesus.

Will you?

 

Next time we will see what the wise men had to choose…

 

 

Joseph…..Chose to Change His Mind

Matthew 1:18-24

 

As a boy, Joseph learned to read and write at home. Around the age of five, he started his formal education at the synagogue under the guidance of the rabbis. There he learned the history of his people, the promises, the covenant, the gift of the land and the law. When his formal education was over, he started working in his father’s trade that he had learned at his father’s side.

 

Joseph was a carpenter. At least, that is what we have always thought. In Matt 13:55 the people say of Jesus, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” In our minds, we picture Joseph working with hammer and saw, chisel and rasp crafting fine furniture, creating useful household items or maybe building homes.

 

Perhaps Joseph had a different occupation. The Greek word tekton translated as carpenter simply means a person who works with his hands. This, of course, could be a carpenter, but it could also be a stone mason or even a day laborer in the field.

 

How does it change the Christmas story to think that Joseph might have worked at something other than carpentry? What ideas do you have about your Christmas celebration that God might want to change?

  

 

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.  ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

 

What a dilemma Joseph faced. Here was Mary, his wife according to Jewish custom, pregnant with a child that was not his. He knew what the law required in such a case – death for Mary and the child she carried. But he loved her. Despite his heartache and bitter disappointment, he did not want Mary to die. So he came up with his own plan, his own solution.

What dilemma are you facing? What situation has you searching for a solution?

 

Have you decided what to do? What plan have you made?

 

²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

God sent the angel to Joseph to give him new instructions and to encourage him to do what God said. Sometimes we think it would be easier to listen to God if an angel would appear and talk to us. But we have the Holy Spirit who promises to  give us wisdom.

Have you asked the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom about your dilemma? If not, take a moment to ask Him now.

 

²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

 

God had another plan for Mary and Joseph – one that had been set in motion long before their betrothal…even before they were born…in fact, before the world was created.

God has a plan to solve your dilemma. It might be different from the one you have chosen. Like Joseph, you might need more information to understand God’s plan.

Are you willing to consider that God might have another plan? Ask Him to show you if there is something else that you need to know.

²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

                                                            

Joseph changed his mind. He listened to what the angel had to say and took Mary as his wife, rather than divorcing her quietly.

 

Do you need to change your mind? Will you?

 

Because Joseph chose to change his mind, he saw Jesus. Will you?

 

Next time we will see what the shepherds had to choose….

 Christmas is a special time of year for me. There are many reasons for this that I won't take time to share here. A couple years ago, God began to speak to my heart about what I really wanted during the Christmas season. It finally came down to the question, "Do you want to see Jesus?" From that question, God led me to write a series of reflections. A year ago, I had the privilege to prepare an afternoon service based upon that question for the New Salem Church of the Brethren where I was serving on a preaching team. Now God has put the question on my heart again and so I would like to take a break from my postings about the Dominican Republic to share those reflections with you. While your experience will be different than if you had been there in person, I hope these reflections will help you to see Jesus during this Christmas season.

 

 

It’s Christmas time. Already the lights are up; the trees stand tall covered with tinsel and sparkling glass bulbs; the stores are playing Christmas carols and running specials. The air is crisp and cold as we hustle here and there collecting what we need for another Christmas celebration.

For Christians, the challenge is to see Jesus in the midst of all the other activities. But we aren’t the only ones. Years ago another group of people – a nation – wanted to see Jesus. Only they didn’t know him as Jesus. They were looking for Messiah – the Warrior/King who would set them free and establish a throne and kingdom. Although many prophecies spoke of the Suffering Servant and the Sacrificial Lamb, this is not the One they were expecting.

If they were to see Jesus for who He was, there were choices they needed to make. Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and wise men represent the choices the nation of Israel faced. We are faced with these same choices today if we want to see Jesus – whether at Christmas time or any time of the year.

 

 

         Mary...................... Chose to Obey

        Joseph..................... Chose to Change His Mind

        The Shepherds..... Chose to Overcome their Fear

        The Wise Men....... Chose to Believe the Promise

You are invited to spend time reflecting upon these choices and how they relate to your own life. Not all the reflections will apply to your life situation, but my prayer is that at least one will touch your heart and bring you closer to Jesus. Feel free to spend as much or as little time as you like with each one. We will begin with Mary:

 

Mary …….. Chose to Obey

Luke 1:26-38

 

Mary was a young woman of Galilee. She lived in a small family house of stone and mud-brick. She worked like any young girl, grinding wheat and barley into flour, preparing dishes of beans, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts and occasional chunks of mutton. Wool had to be made into clothing. Bread had to be baked. A few chickens and a donkey had to be fed.

 

Almost daily she carried a large jar of water from the town well for washing and cooking. The well was a favorite spot where women talked and traded bits of everyday news. Here at the well Mary listened closely to stories about married life.

 

For Mary was betrothed to Joseph. The marriage contract had been signed. Excitedly she went about her daily chores while eagerly anticipating the day he would come to take her to his home. Plans for the celebration occupied her mind as her hands busily prepared what she needed to set up her own household. All the while her imagination soared…..

 

 What are you looking forward to this Christmas season? What plans are you making; what are you busily preparing?

 

²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

 

Can you imagine Mary’s shock when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and spoke? What would you think if that happened to you?

 

³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

  

Perhaps you have heard a message just as troubling as Mary’s that has caused you to wonder what God means. Maybe it wasn’t an angel but a Bible verse or something in a sermon or perhaps the still small voice inside.

Perhaps He is telling you not to go into debt this Christmas. Perhaps He wants you to reach out to that impossible person at work or in your family. Perhaps it has nothing to do with Christmas at all. Whatever it is, what you have been asked to do seems impossible. Like Mary, you ask, “How will this be?” And like Gabriel, God has replied, “Nothing is impossible with God.”

 

What has God asked you to do?

 

What are your questions, your doubts, your fears?

 

 

The angel promised Mary that obedience would bring a great reward – a son who would do great things.

 

What reward might your obedience bring?

 

³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.”

³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

                                                                  

Surely Mary, as a good Jewish girl, knew what she would face if she became pregnant before Joseph took her as his wife – shame, rejection, perhaps even death. Yet Mary chose to obey, to trust that God would honor her obedience and work everything out.

 

What difficulties will you face if you choose to obey God?

 

Will you believe Him? Will you trust Him?

 

Because Mary chose to obey, she saw Jesus. Will you?

 

 

Next time we will see what Joseph had to choose.......

The sun has been up for over an hour, shining brilliantly in a clear blue sky. But as I sit here, I realize the fog is creeping in, slowly but surely obscuring familiar landmarks, trees and houses. The sky is more gray now than blue. The sun is still shining but now its rays must fight their way through the haze. I wonder, who will win today? The fog or the sun?

Could this be a picture of the Christian life? When we first meet Jesus, the Son shines brilliantly in our lives – everything is fresh and bright and new. But as we continue on our way, the fog slowly creeps its way into our lives. We have struggles and disappointments. Bad things happen. Perhaps sin overtakes us, almost before we realize it is there. The Son is still shining in our lives, but now there is a haze, a shadow cast on our way. What once was clear and well-defined now appears in shades of gray. And, if we are honest, sometimes we wonder who will win.

I’ve been sitting here now for thirty minutes – waiting... thinking... writing.... Slowly but surely, the sun beat back the shadows. What was for a time obscure is now once again distinct. The fog has retreated. Yes, there are still clouds on the horizon and shadows on the distant hills, but the world in front of me is vibrant and alive. The sun won.

So it is with us. If we wait, simply wait on the Son; if we are quiet and think and listen, the Son will overcome the shadows. His light will shine into our world. He will make clear what we are to do – repent…trust…take action…or maybe simply wait. The clouds may still be there on the horizon, but for today our world will be bright and clear. The Son, you see, always wins.

 

 

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."                 John 8:12

Hello from Jarabacoa!

I know it has been a long time – too long – since I have sent an email update or newsletter or posted on my blog. It isn’t that I haven’t thought about doing it many times – I have. It just hasn’t seemed like I had anything to say or I didn’t have time to sort through all the things I wanted to say. I’ve been here just over two months and most of that time has been spent on two things – learning how to live in Jarabacoa and carrying out my duties in sponsorship while at the same time learning just what those duties are. This learning curve has been tremendously steep and I’m still climbing. It seems every day there is something new to learn. I’m not going to try to explain any of that here. That may be the topic of my next newsletter which will hopefully be mailed soon.

Instead, I just want to tell you about something that has struck my heart. On my lunch break for the last week or so, I have been reading the book, Kisses from Katie, which tells the story of a young single girl living an unbelievable life in Uganda. She has adopted fourteen Ugandan girls and started a non-profit ministry to help support several hundred other children. Someone recommended the book to me a couple years ago so when it showed up in a box of books that were donated to the ministry here, I took it. It is an incredible story of God’s love and His heart for children that is reflected in the life of one ordinary girl. I won’t try to recount the story here. I suggest you find the book and read it for yourself.

As I have read this book, one thought has kept running through my mind – I am not Katie. I do not love the way she loves. I could not live the life she is living. Yes, I have left family and friends behind to come to a foreign country where I still don’t really speak the language at an age when most people are thinking about retiring and slowing down. But, I have an amazing apartment in which to live. I have a great car to drive. There are challenges to life here, but I can get just about anything that I need – it just takes a little longer. I can even purchase a number of my favorite foods from the U.S. even if they cost a little more than I like to pay. I am surrounded by others from North America who understand me and are here to help. No, I am not Katie.

I want to be able to say that God spoke to me and told me, “It’s okay not to be Katie.” But He hasn’t. Instead He continues to convict me and challenge me with the example of Katie’s life. One quote from her journal, I think, says it all.

“We aren’t really called to save the world, not even to save one person; Jesus does that. We are just called to love with abandon. We are called to enter into our neighbors’ sufferings and love them right there.”   (Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis, pg 214)

 It might be okay not to be Katie. After all, I am Karen, a unique child of God with a special plan for my life specifically designed for me by my heavenly Father. But, it isn’t okay not to be Jesus to those whose lives I touch. That just is not okay.

Father God, please pour out your grace on my life. Help me, to love others the way that you love them, the way that you love me. Forgive me for the times that I have failed, when I have let hurt feelings or pride or my own ideas stop me from loving. I am so grateful for your mercy, that every day you give me new opportunities to love those around me. Thank you for your Son and his example of perfect love, thank you for your Holy Spirit who enables me to love and thank you for loving me.

 

A new command I give you: Love one another.

As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

John 13:34

 

 

A New Place - A New Life

I’m sitting here in the early morning hours listening to the dogs bark and the roosters crow. It’s too early for the music to start but I do hear snatches of conversation from neighbors starting to stir. It’s cool right now, but the lack of clouds promises a hot day to come. Yes, I’ve arrived. I’m in my apartment at Jarabacoa, and it feels like home.

The trip from Guatemala to Santiago was good and basically uneventful – oh, except for the second security checkpoint in San Salvador that I didn’t know about where they completely emptied my carry-on suitcase and computer bag that I had so carefully packed to make everything fit. The repacking job didn’t go so smoothly, and I was one of the last people on the plane just before they closed the door.

It’s hard to believe that it has been two weeks already since I landed in Santiago. I have met so many people. I can find the bus station, grocery store and a couple gas stations. I have yet to find the ice cream shop where we had ice cream on one of our mission trips, but that’s on the list. I know my way to ANIJA, the Kids Alive school and The Ark, the Kids Alive children’s home. I’ve been to Palo Blanco, the Kids Alive care center turned school, but haven’t driven there yet.

Driving here is crazy – that’s the best way to sum it up. Every time I pass the large picture of Jesus, which is one of the landmarks in town, I thank Him for keeping me safe. Here are some of the rules of the road that I was given:

·         A turn signal or hand out the window means something is about to happen – not necessarily a turn or a stop.
·         Driving against traffic is okay if it gets you to your destination more quickly.
·         The full width of the road is used. This means that on a two-lane road you can be three or four vehicles across at any given moment.
·         It's okay to pass on the left and the right.

I have started becoming familiar with my responsibilities. One of my major tasks will be to check in the projects for the sponsors that the children do four times a year. It was so much fun to see so many familiar names on the labels. I have assisted in mailing the summer letter project, collecting the projects that were missing and distributing supplies for the Christmas project which we are starting now. Another of my responsibilities will be to visit each site regularly to check in with the sponsorship coordinators. This last week I visited Constanza – The Ark II and school. As the crow flies, it is only 15 miles from Jarabacoa but takes an hour or more to drive there because of the curvy mountain roads.

Lillie, the sponsorship coordinator at Constanza and some of her kids
 

I wish I could say that I have jumped right in with my Spanish and have been able to communicate, but that simply isn’t true. Spanish here is different than Guatemalan Spanish and seems more difficult to understand. The first week I was here, I went to the bus station to pick up a package. The clerk talked to me for 5-10 minutes. All I understood was that the bus wouldn't arrive until 5:00, the office closed at 4:30 so I needed to come back the next day. Who knows what else she said. When I came back the next day, neither of us said a word. With a big grin on her face, she just went back and got the package.

Sunrises are amazing!

Everything here is new, exciting yet scary at the same time. Now that I am here, it does seem like I miss family and friends and familiar places a little more than in Guatemala. But almost every time that I have opened my Bible, God has sent reassurance directly to me that He is my salvation; He is my rock and refuge; He is my hope; He has called me and will sustain me. So, with the Psalmist, this is my declaration:

 ¹⁴ As for me, I will always have hope;
    I will praise you more and more.

¹⁵ My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
    of your saving acts all day long—
    though I know not how to relate them all.
¹⁶ I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
¹⁷ Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
    and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
¹⁸ Even when I am old and gray,
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Psalm 71:14-18

My favorite place for early morning devotions.

Preface: I wrote this blog entry about a month ago, and have been rewriting it ever since. Now it’s my last Saturday in Antigua, and I sense the need to post this before leaving. This experience impacted me deeply. I don’t know if these words adequately capture my feelings and thoughts but, for now, it is the best I can do.

 

Even though the sun was shining brightly outside, the room we entered was dimly lit. Despite the many candles placed around the room, the darkness was palpable, almost as if it had a life of its own. I felt the weight of that darkness – physically, emotionally and spiritually. It was not what I had expected to experience on this day of adventure.

It was a beautiful day. I was on a “field trip” with four other students from CSA to visit Lake Atitlán. It is a huge lake, formed thousands of years ago through a massive volcanic eruption. The incredible blue of its water, the towering volcanoes surrounding it and the picturesque villages lining its shore make it an amazing place to visit.

In one of the villages, we visited Maximon. I wasn’t exactly sure what we were going to see. I did know that it was related to Mayan worship both past and present. In my mind’s eye, I imagined a statue in a garden, perhaps similar to some of those around the cathedrals in Antigua. That isn’t what we found.

At Maximon’s house, we were led into the small room lit by candles. Maximon sat on the floor – a wooden statue of a man, trunk and head only, no arms or legs. On his head were two hats, in his mouth was a large fat cigar, around his neck were many scarves. On the floor in front of him was food that had been brought as an offering and a small bowl where we were expected to put our admittance fee. Worshipers of Maximon would put their payment for their requests in that bowl or tuck their money into the scarves. Waiting there in the darkness sat several people who had come to seek his help.

La Azotea Centro Cultural (museum)

Legend has it that Maximon was a hedonistic man whose arms and legs were cut off because of his vices. Before that happened, he was possessed by a god and turned into a saint. Now he is the “grandfather protector” of Guatemala. Yet, for his protection and his help, these people who already have so little must pay more.

I know that Maximon is part of the Mayan/Guatemalan culture, and I respect that history. But this was not simply a display in a museum. This was reality – people literally sitting in darkness, looking for help where no help would be found.  In that moment, I understood the futility of expecting anything in this world – whether made of wood or electronic components or even flesh & blood – to meet our deepest needs.

Tu amor no se rinde - Your love never gives up

When I walked into my church service the next morning, the stark contrast hit me – light instead of darkness, life instead of death, hope instead of hopelessness. I love, serve and live for a God who is alive, who moment by moment gives me the very life that I offer back to him. He will never ask me to give more than what He has already given – the sacrifice of His only Son. No other god ever gave such a gift for me. No other god ever loved me the way He does.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) I want to play a part in bringing His Light to the world. That’s what Kids Alive wants to do also. Yes, we will feed, clothe, educate and help with whatever is needed, but most of all, we will offer Jesus who is the Light of Life.