The Star

I watched the heavens in amazement over most of the past year as Jupiter and Saturn appeared and traveled the sky together. Tonight, it was more. The two planets combined to make a show that reminded us of the first Christmas, over 2000 years ago.

Jupiter & Saturn from Brooklyn, NYC

In today’s world, especially in the cities, we miss most of the spectacular beauty God has set in the heavens (Psalm 8:1) God tells us to consider the heavens, the moon and the stars, that are the work of His fingers (Psalm 8:3), but in civilized countries, (it is sad to say) it is more convenient to stay inside.
But long ago, people did not stay inside so much. The homes were smaller (or tents), and lacked the modern diversions that rob so many of God’s beauty. In early Babylon, most people made a practice of stepping outside to observe the heavens. Religious leaders, who were the first scientists, built ziggurats in strategic locations to see the moon and the stars. Observers in Mesopotamia discovered the first seven planets, including Jupiter and Saturn, and marked their movements on a nightly basis.

In early Persia, Magi observed the heavens regularly so they could inform the king of changes in the stars that might give clues to major world events. It is evident that they shared information with others, for these early astronomers clearly understood a prediction written by Balaam who worked for King Balak of Moab. This astronomer / astrologer / prophet / priest / magician prognosticated in the days of Moses, “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth. … A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”

In my book Advent Journeys, I explain how the Magi saw the star, visited their king, and made a journey to the land of Israel to find the new king the star was predicting. The Eastern scholars experienced amazing things as they traveled from Persia to Palestine. They saw a wonder and visions upon their arrival in Bethlehem, which would not be forgotten during their lifetime … and in fact, is remembered even until today.

     

This Christmas, what is your practice? Is it sitting inside? Following status quo traditions? Giving and receiving gifts? Is it more? This year, make it more! Begin with a sight in the heavens that has not been seen for 800 years! Then take a look at the story from a different vantage point, through the eyes of the Magi, so you can really understand why the heavens came together to make an amazing display, which was seen by the Wise Men, and still talked about today.

Philo, Josephus and John

The Christmas Story began in the mind of God, long before the creation of the world.

The Sea from Joppa

Josephus the Historian writes it this way: About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Christ. And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had first come to love him did not cease. He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared. (Book 18, Chapter 3, 3)

A path down to the Sea of Galilee

Philo says it this way: “Of other lawgivers, some have set forth what they considered to be just and reasonable, in a naked and unadorned manner, while others, investing their ideas with an abundance of amplification, have sought to bewilder the people, by burying the truth under a heap of fabulous inventions. But Moses, rejecting both of these methods, the one as inconsiderate, careless, and unphilosophical, and the other as mendacious and full of trickery, made the beginning of his laws entirely beautiful, and in all respects admirable, neither at once declaring what ought to be done or the contrary, ... embracing the creation of the world, under the idea that the law corresponds to the world and the world to the law, and that a man who is obedient to the law, being, by so doing, a citizen of the world, arranges his actions with reference to the intention of nature, in harmony with which the whole universal world is regulated. accordingly no one, whether poet or historian, could ever give expression in an adequate manner to the beauty of his ideas respecting the creation of the world; for they surpass all the power of language, and amaze our hearing, being too great and venerable to be adapted to the sense of any created being.” (On the Creation)

Synagogue where Jesus taught

John the Apostle says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1)

Herodium, favorite home of Herod the Great

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world”... “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:16-19)

Normal People, like Mary and Joseph

The Christmas story is about people, normal people just like you and me. This week in the book Advent Journeys we will travel with Joseph and Mary the parents of Jesus.

This is my book Advent Journeys
Order a copy today for Christmas!

Many people want to make Mary something unusual something mystical someone godly who is beyond the reach of humanity. God does not do things like that. God chooses normal people who have the right to say yes or no. Mary fortunately said yes.

Jesus works in Joseph's Carpenter Shop
At the Church of Joseph in Nazareth

Sometimes God chooses good people. I really think this is the case with Mary and Joseph. They lived lives dedicated to God and they had a desire to serve him. As we look through the story of Mary and Joseph, we discover they are people who have a desire to please God, and they spend time in prayer.

A small farm outside of Nazareth

This is not always the case. There are times when God chooses people who are not so good ... as in the case of Jonah or Samson. God chose people who were on the border and maybe even on the side of rebelling against God. But God still used them, in spite of their objections. These men, because they were unwilling to follow God’s directions, were robbed of the joy of serving.
.   The fact that Mary and Joseph are normal is proven by the fact of their surprise. When Mary found out she was to be with child she wasn't joyful. She wasn't amused. She did not say “no,” but did express worry, because she did not know how, or why God would bring this about. She probably worried about what people would say and how it would affect her life. After discussing the situation with God, she said, “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Supposedly Mary's parent's home
Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth

When Joseph heard the news he wanted to privately put Mary away because he was embarrassed. He knew he had not done anything to bring about the pregnancy. An angel came to Joseph, and spoke to him in a dream about what would happen. Joseph believed the Angel, and obediently followed God’s plan.

Joseph and Jesus

In both cases the angel came to them and convinced them of the sincerity of God's task for them to do. The angel let them know the task would not be easy, but both Joseph and Mary were obedient and willing.
.   In the story we see trials come immediately. A tax collector comes to Joseph when Mary is great with Child. He tells them they're called to go to Bethlehem and pay their taxes. Travel would not be anything easy because it would take almost a week to travel to Bethlehem. A great mountain range stood along the journey. You can read more about the travels of Joseph and Mary. Have you ever wondered what their trip was like?? You can read about it in the book Advent Journeys.

Nazareth Today

Trials did not end with the birth of Jesus but they continued for King Herod came after the child with a vengeance. Mary and Joseph had to go into Egypt into a land of exile where their forefathers have been slaves for 430 years. They live there with the strange people for a number of years, until God cleared the way for them to come back to their own land.

Merry Christmas from Nazareth

This Christmas, think about it are you a superior individual? Are you super unique in a way that makes you stand out from the crowd. Or are you a normal person, like Mary and Joseph. if you're a normal person, the Christmas story is for you because we all need the salvation and the love that God brings

Special Christmas

     Christmas is a special season, filled with great joy for most Christians. The holiday is infused with faith, social gatherings, worship services, special events, music, decorations, communication from friends who live far away, good food, helping others, giving gifts, and receiving presents. Some Christmasses are just what you expect, and others are memorable. Special Christmases I remember include some when I was young, my daughter’s first Christmases, and a Christmas out west when we got snowed in and built snow tunnels. I remember Christmas Eve worship in Kansas, with my wife’s family, and the privilege of bringing her grandmother to church when she was in failing health.

Christmas in Denver with 34" of snow

     I have fond memories of the plays and musicals I participated in during the Christmas season. These events ministered to others, and built friendships as I worked with others on the production. I worked with Ronda and Brent Hart to decorate our church and mask the hallway for “Follow the Star.” I also work with them as the Bethlehem Rabbi in a production entitled Walk Thru Bethlehem. I have watched with great joy as God grew a small youth production in Apex, NC, entitled Journey to Bethlehem into a production that ministers to thousands of people each year.

Bethlehem Rabbis at Walk Thru Bethlehem

     In the first century, in a time when there was not yet Christmas, there was a village priest by the name of Zechariah, who served on rotation at the Temple in Jerusalem. (That means he worked each of the three harvest festivals and two other weeks annually, for a total of five weeks per year). The man Zechariah was an older priest, almost ready for his time of retirement.
     To be sure, there were special times of service in the Temple, and then there were times when the duties overtook him. On days when work was light, Zechariah was full of joy. At times when the tasks were great and the stress level was high, the village priest forced joy into his heart, because he knew that this pleased God.

Temple model at the Israel Museum

     Zechariah had learned to be joyful at all times. He had faced various problems in life, and with God’s help, they had all been overcome. All except one, and that was OK, because God is always in control. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth desired a child, but while they were young, and even in middle age, when it is still possible to have children, none were born. Elizabeth was barren. Zechariah found joy in his wife and in life.

Birth of Jesus

     In Zechariah’s final year of service, possibly in the week of his retirement, was an amazing week for the village priest (which I share in my book Advent Journeys, available as a book, as a Kindle e-book, and readable through Amazon Prime) and his wife Elizabeth. God chose Zechariah for a special place of service, tending the altar of incense. And while at the altar God sent the angel Gabriel to communicate that Zechariah's wife Elizabeth would give birth to a child. The priest was shocked! This was a story like that of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, Elkanah and Hannah, and Boaz and Ruth. The retiring priest was amazed!