Faith of a Simple Man

FAITH OF A SIMPLE MAN

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Mary told Joseph she was pregnant, but still a virgin. Would you believe that? Could you believe that? Can you hear the gossip? “Did you hear about Mary?” “Still a virgin. Yea, right.”

Joseph loved Mary but what she was saying was impossible. It would take a miracle. But…Joseph prayed as he considered these things.

“Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20

A simple man he may have been, but he knew the prophecy. He knew the word of God.

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

He believed God and he stood by Mary—the woman chosen to bear the Son of God.

Christmas has come. Do you believe? Do you believe a simple carpenter could be used to care for the Son of God and his mother? Quiet your heart and trust the word of God.

Miracles happened then and the miraculous is happening still. Joseph’s faith in God—his trust that God’s word was true, along with his obedience—helped change the world.

“When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”
Matthew 1:24-25

Come and Coming

Come and Coming

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” Matthew 13:16-17

I ran across this verse today and it struck me. Not that I am a prophet, or of my own accord righteous, but I could empathize with this thought of how much these people living under the old covenant longed to see the fulfillment of prophesy—God’s Messiah. With the apostles and so many other brothers and sisters through history, I, too, desire and anticipate the fulfillment of scripture in Jesus’ return—as he comes on the clouds with power and glory. Word of God, riding on his white horse. The Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Sometimes, when the clouds are especially billowy and beautiful with sunlight streaming through, my heart leaps in my chest with excitement, thinking, “This could be it!”

In this passage from Matthew, Jesus was pointing out the tremendous blessing these people were being given. They were in the presence of the Messiah! The one who had been anticipated for so long, and that so many had desired to see and hear. The wait was over. When drawing the parallels with our own wait, we can almost feel the excitement—the“hallelujah”on our lips! The time had finally come.

This brought me to the story of Simeon. He desired only a glimpse of the Christ. He could die satisfied if he just knew the ancient prophesies had begun to be set in motion.

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:25-32

Oh, that we might project our own anticipation into the excitement felt that first Christmas! The desires of the prophets and righteous men of long ago were realized in the coming of a little baby. Simeon knew exactly what that meant—God’s salvation come. His promises fulfilled.

Christmas is a remembrance of that incredible blessing. Whether we see Jesus’ return this side of heaven or not, we have assurance in knowing that God keeps His promises.

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.’” Hebrews 10:36-37

by Siara Borning



Jesus Loves Me

Jesus Loves Me

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

Jesus loves me , this I know
God sent his Son to earth below.
Leaving Heaven for you and me
He came to die upon a tree.

The Little Lamb who came to die
Paid the debt for you and I.
No room in Bethlehem , except a stable?
No matter, God the Father’s love is able

To conquer sin’s strong grip of death 
And bring to us his Peace and rest.
Weary child, “Be still and know
The God of Heaven loves you so.

by Darla Lewis



Good Tidings

Good Tidings

“And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12

“Good Christian Men, rejoice
Good Christian Men, rejoice,
With heart and soul and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say;
Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before him bow,"
And he is in the manger now.
Christ is born to-day!
Christ is born to day!” *

Jesus Christ is born. These four words may well be the most powerful and impactful words in the history of man.

I recently saw a picture of a baby in a wooden manger. The caption read…
'A thousand times a baby became a king, but only one time did a King become a baby.'

A helpless, defenseless baby. An Angel announced his coming, yet our Saviour lay in a stable. Heaven came to earth and who saw his birth? A young girl, a carpenter, some farm animals And all of heaven! Joy could not be contained. Heaven’s armies offered resounding praise before an audience of... shepherds.

Humbly, meekly Jesus came. The Gift-giver became the Gift. He was wrapped in swaddling cloth, but from his first breath he came to give us life.

A King became a baby, a virgin bore a child and the angelic chorus lit the night sky with praise. I believe with all I am that nothing is impossible for God.

“And Jesus looked at them and said "What is impossible with man is possible with God." Matthew 19:29

*Dulce Jubilo (In Sweet Rejoicing), attributed to Heinrich Suso
1328 AD

Cherished Memories

Cherished Memories

“I remember the days of old. I ponder all Your great works. I think about what You have done.” Psalm 143:5

This is the season of frenzied shopping, baking breads, and decorating cookies to give as gifts. We look forward to spending time with our families. The ones who are blood relatives and those who are relatives by the blood of the Lamb of God.

It’s the time for us to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Saviour!

Today I remembered a time seven years ago when I had the pleasure of watching my granddaughter, Madison, sing at her first Christmas concert. Is there anything more precious than those little ones shouting out the words to Christmas carols?

I watched a little one shout out “Hi Mom!” in the middle of a song. Another tiny girl pulled her dress up over her head, and another got tired and just sat. Madison held the hand of the little girl next to her and, after every song, they would raise their hands as if in victory.

My oldest grandson, Brandon, sat next to me. I couldn’t help remembering his first Christmas show and the performances of my other grandchildren, either at church or school. Oh, the wonderful memories I have.

After Madison’s performance we visited my mom at the care home. We took a little Christmas tree for her room. She was sound asleep, but her Aide assured me Mom had a really good day. We set up the tree then I stroked her head and kissed her. She didn’t even move.

Memories of long ago Christmases with her and Popi filled my mind. They always tried to make Christmas special for the three of us kids. I think my father was just as excited to see us opening our presents as we were in receiving them.

I also remember the time I sang “Hallelujah” so loud that it was mentioned every following Christmas accompanied by tons of laughter. I hated it then, but today I smile. It’s amazing those memories remain vivid after so many years. I can still remember and yearn for both. I miss them!

My parents also treated the coming of the Christ Child with a reverence we don’t often see in this day and age. It was a true time for giving thanks because the Babe in that manager would grow into a Man who would give His life to save us from sin.

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

Oh, Yes! Our memories are gifts from God. We can take them out and unwrap them one at a time-—savor them over and over again.

Today God gave me that gift and I am beyond thankful for it. I smile as I think of the next generation’s Christmas performances that are coming up. I can’t wait!

by Eve Montano