Angel Messengers

   Throughout history God has sent his messengers (Angels) to make announcements of great importance to people. Sometimes these messengers are seen as heavenly beings, at other times they appear as normal men, but the message is just the same, moving.

Abraham met three men at his tent

     Take for instance the day that three men show up at Abraham’s tent in Genesis 18. In traditional Bedouin hospitality, Abraham says, “Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.” after the traditional informalities, one of the men asks, “Where is your wife Sarah?” and follows up with the statement, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Farm fields in Israel

     In a more dramatic fashion a man of God who looked like an angel of God came to Manoah’s wife in Judges 13. He likewise announced the birth of a son who would “be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”
     The Bible says, “the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush.” (Ex 3:2) Joshua “looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand.” (Josh 5:13) “The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat.” (Judges 6:11) “David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth.” (1 Chronicles 21:16) and the Angel of the Lord met Elijah the Tishbite. (1 Kings 1:3)
     When an angel speaks to a person, it is always life changing. But, beware, “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (1 John 4:1; 1 Kings 13:18; Jer 14:14; 23:16; Mt 7:15). Paul said, “even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” (Galatians 1:8) Check the message before you believe it!
     John did check the message of the Angel. He asked, “How can I be sure of this?” And even though the angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God,” John dubious until the baby, John the Baptist, was born. But history records he was born, and all things occurred according to the word of God. (Deut 18:18)

Advent Devotions, Walk the Bible

     You can read more about the meeting between Zechariah and Gabriel in the book Advent Journeys, available as a book, as a Kindle e-book, and readable through Amazon Prime) Order, or read the book today!

Christmas Shopping

     Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday, Great deals for myself, and for good friends. How do I get what I want and strategize to outdo the others who want the same things? December could be called “National Shopping Month.” Almost everyone will be in the store at least once (and probably more) to shop the sales, get gifts for important people, and to meet expectations of others.
     Christmas is a time full of traditions and expectations, but who’s expectations are we attempting to meet? I am not saying shopping is bad, but Christmassing to the exclusion of the special child born on that day misses the reason for the season. That’s why I started the original Advent Journey project more than 30 years ago.
     My Advent Journey began in a Sunday School class of young parents I taught in Wichita, KS. Through m weekly preparation I was moved to expand the lesson plans presented in the book with family activities. I shared the idea of doing something with our children every day from the Sunday after Thanksgiving until Christmas morning.

Nativity Scene

     Over the years, the Advent Journey expanded. The daily activities became more developed and included community activities. I created a paper chain that I hung by the breakfast table with a link for each day of Christmas. Each link included a verse we read together at the dining table, and an activity that would happen some time during the day.
     I added new activities and developed the plan to fit the interests of my growing children so it would not get boring. During the Middle School and High School years, the paper chain became a game sheet that my children took to school in their lunch. The plan and time together has given our family many happy moments and memories.

Advent Calendar

     I have shared the ideas with others over the years. I continue to want to share it with young families (please help me by sharing this post … and the website link!!)! A booklet of family activities can be downloaded for free from my website www.KosherCopy.com , under the Advent tab. The Bible verses I shared are also updated for this year, so families today can create their own paper chain.
     But why would someone want to take so much time to do this?? Because that is what Christmas is really about. God would want us to do this. The Bible commands us to pass on the faith (not the store bought gifts).

Great Book for Christmas

     So, what is your December filled with? Shopping and parties and travels? Does it contain time with the Savior, and sharing the faith (remember there is a difference between cultural tradition and true faith) with your family? The Bible tells us to Love the Lord Your God with ALL your heart, mind, soul and strength.

Jesus and Chanukah

The conversation comes up way too often. Someone says, “Merry Christmas.”

I reply, “Happy Chanukah.”

They say, “I thought you were a Christian. Christians don’t celebrate Chanukah.”

I reply, “Jesus did. When I celebrate Chanukah I think of Jesus.”

They reply, “Jesus did not. It was not even around then.” [Although I think they would rather say, “Why would Jesus do that, He wasn’t even Jewish.” But most know better or have enough doubt that they don’t want my answer on that one.]

The fact is, Jesus did celebrate Chanukah. It is recorded in John 10:22: “Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter.”

The Festival of Dedication was a time Jewish people stopped to thank God for restoring the Temple from the desecration of Antiochus Epiphanes, which is recorded in the New Testament also. “When you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation, spoken of through the prophet Daniel (9:27; 12:11) —let the reader understand…’” (Mt 24:15; Mk 13:14) The Abomination took place on the 25th day of Kislev (Jewish month), and Judas Maccabeus restored worship on Kislev 25 three years later. (The story is in our book Advent Journeys)

The problem which allowed the desecration of the Temple was not a mighty army entering Israel, but rather a people who blended with society. At first the people sought to dress and decorate their homes like Greeks (vases and colonnades, then the little figurines or idols). Then they blended more, with music and cultural habits. This extended to the family of the High Priest. The High Priest’s brother took a Greek name and then he took his brother’s office by deceit and bribery. The cultural shift opened the door for a tyrant to enter and take over.

Matthias (father of the Maccabees) was sickened by the cultural shift. He saw the things happening in Jerusalem and moved from the city to the country. Then, when he and his village were forced to bow down to an idol, he took his stand and refused to submit himself to the humiliation, to the soldiers or to the culture. A battle erupted, which the Jews won. Then worship was restored and the Jews were able to dedicate the Temple.

To remember the dedication, the Jewish people light a candelabrum called a menorah each night for eight nights (beginning tonight … Christmas Eve coincides with the first day of Chanukah this year). Jesus would encourage us, “let your light shine!”

Do Angels Sing?

A consistent theme of the Christmas story is the appearance of Angels to people. The story begins with an Angel who comes to Abraham on Mount Moriah and tells him, “through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed.” (Ge. 22:18, repeating the promise given by God in Ge. 12:3) The Angel also visits Zechariah (Luke 1), Mary (Luke 2), Joseph (Matthew 1), and shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem (Luke 2). These Angels are a major part of the Christmas story; they bring the good news and promises of God to earth.

This week in Advent Journeys we are experiencing Christmas through the journal of a shepherd. In Saturday’s journal this shepherd wrote how “an angel of the Lord appeared … and the glory of the Lord shone around them.” The angel said to the shepherd and his co-workers, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Then the Bible tells us, “a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”

There are many who tell us that Angels do not sing, because the Greek word used for the communication of the Angels in this passage is λέγω (legō), which means “to say or to speak.” The dictionary also tells us this word covers every kind of speaking: to bid, boast, call, describe, name, tell, utter. When this word is used in scripture (and in other places) most often it describes someone speaking or talking. But in a wider sense, this word conveys communication. What many ignore is that singing is a form of communication.

The truth which many scholars (who study this passage in a very narrow way) miss is that when multitudes of angels come together in communication it is most often through the medium of singing. The pattern of speaking which we see in this passage is a basis for the way we worship. Mary led Israel to worship through singing in Exodus 15. They continued singing as they traveled in the wilderness (Numbers 21:17) and as they settled in the land of Israel (1 Chronicles 6:31). God commanded Moses (Dt. 31:19), David (1 Chronicles 15:8) and others to write music.

The Bible tells us of the true songs of pure worship which are sung in heaven. These include ‘a new song’ which is sung in Revelation 5:9-10 “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” The angels also sang the new song of Moses, ““Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:3-4)

The song of the angels to shepherds in fields outside of Bethlehem was a vibrant means of communication. “Fear not,” should explain to us we should fear neither hearing, speaking or singing the message of God. “Behold, I bring you Good News of Great Joy,” gives an example of how we should communicate the Gospel (good news) to those who have not heard. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” gives us the example that all of our music should be pointed to God (and not to we ourselves). This song also teaches (as does the song previously mentioned from Revelation 5) that as a result of our worship (and like the shepherds who “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child”) we should “be a kingdom and priests to serve our God.”

The Apostle Paul tells us to be like the angels, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15-16). Never let anyone tell you not to sing the joyous message of Christ, especially at Christmas!

Christmas Sunday School

For many years I have served as a Minister of Education at churches in Wyoming, Kansas and North Carolina. As a Minister of Education I developed educational programs for all age levels from Preschool to Adults. I found and trained workers to staff these programs.

As a retired minister, I continue in my life’s work, but at a slower pace. One area where I continue to serve is in the Preschool. During my time of service I encouraged everyone to volunteer with Preschoolers once per month during the time of the worship service (we called this “extended session.”) As an example (because I must do as I said) I serve in the Kindergarten class (our Minister of Children finagled a way to get me to serve twice a month), and develop my lesson plans where the curriculum is weak.

I have observed across the years that faith development in children is not automatic and a guide is required both at home and in church to to help children find the right path. I have shared in previous posts how I developed and carried out a lesson plan for the Christmas season each year with my family and in church. During the two weeks of teaching this month I drew upon my plan for Sunday’s lessons.

Last week’s lesson for children, and the journal in the devotional Advent Journeys, was about how the Angel Gabriel met Zechariah at the Altar of Incense in the Temple. My activity as I taught children was to have them lay down on a large sheet of paper with a crayon in each hand in order to draw angel wings snow-angel style. After the wings were drawn my helpers and I made an outline around the child’s body and let them color in the picture. As they colored, we taught the lesson.

This week’s lesson for children and the journal in the devotional Advent Journeys is about Joseph and Mary as they travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem and give birth to a Child. The birth of Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season, so it is with great joy that I look forward to teaching the children in our church tomorrow.

As I thought about what to do (more than just crayons and paper), I decided to give them something that hopefully will last a lifetime: a nativity scene.

In our family we proudly display a nativity scene made of clay by my daughters and myself many years ago. Although rough and misshapen, the set contains many memories, and is hand made. The scene brings back memories of the class, my daughters' childhoods, Christmases of the past and the Christmas message. It is a keepsake which is the springboard to stories and sharing as people visit our home (and as I write this blog).

I decided to give the Kindergarten children in my class a gift. I bought air-dry clay and took it to breakfast this morning, where I practiced (and got it right the first time!) One pinch of clay rolled between my fingers to make the head. Three pinches of clay shaped like a bell to make the body. A coffee stirrer (I will use toothpicks in class) for the arms, and another pinch made the body and head for the baby. I cut small mangers out of pressed wood (looks like hay), and will put it in a box for a stable.