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daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
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Wednesday,
December
23,
2020
Our friend Joe Ulicny took this photo of his home built in the 1840's all decorated for Christmas after the first seasonal snow several years ago. At first glance you might think this is a Currier & Ives print.
(Click on photo to enlarge)
"The
Blessing Of Renewed Joy"
Note:
Today's message is a bit longer which can happen
when you study a passage!
Message
summary: At times we
see again the clear, unmistakable light of God's
guidance as the wise men did as they looked upon
the star a second time. Truly this is a time of
great rejoicing. But sometimes the guidance is not
as clear and we may not see the "star".
Listen
to this message on your audio player."Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him" (Matthew 2:2). “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy" (Matthew 2:10). "So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19).
This
week planet earth experienced a heavenly
phenomenon as Saturn and Jupiter aligned for the
first time since 1623. But it was the first
time since 1226 that the alignment was visible to
those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. This close approach is called a
conjunction. Ester has been excited about this and
was prepared to take a photo but in our area it
was cloudy just after sunset blocking the event in
the western sky from our view.
Some
have speculated the alignment of Saturn and
Jupiter, the two largest planets in our solar
system, was the "Christmas star" that the wise men
saw and followed. But only God really knows! He is
perfectly capable of putting a light in the sky
that had nothing to do with stars and planets or
any other natural phenomenon. It is our prayer
that in this unusual year it may be a reminder of
what the birth of our Savior means for the final
salvation of mankind.
We
tend to compress a lot that happened over several
years into the four weeks or so in December when
we especially give consideration to the Christmas
stories. However John's conception would have
occurred some 15 months before the birth of Christ
and John's birth some six months before Christ was
born. While contending for the supernatural
conception of Christ (His Virgin Birth) there's no
contention that Christ would not have developed in
His mother's womb in the normal manner for nine
months. And an event often considered part of the
manger scene actually happened sometime after the
birth of Christ; that is, the visit of the Magi.
Contrary to traditional Christmas pageantry and artist's portrayals of the nativity setting, Scripture indicates that the shepherds were present at the birth of Christ in Bethlehem’s stable, but not the wise men. However don't be bothered by seeing the traditional manger scene with shepherds and kings. It is representative.
Contrary to traditional Christmas pageantry and artist's portrayals of the nativity setting, Scripture indicates that the shepherds were present at the birth of Christ in Bethlehem’s stable, but not the wise men. However don't be bothered by seeing the traditional manger scene with shepherds and kings. It is representative.
Careful consideration of Scripture actually
reveals that the wise men who followed the star
arrived sometime after Christ's birth.
They had first seen the star while in the east and
had traveled to Jerusalem to inquire regarding the
exact place of Christ's birth. In the verse
following today's text we read that the Magi came
"into the house" (Matthew 2:11). Another
sense of when this happened is in Herod's abortive
slaughter of the infant boys under 2 years of age
"according to the time which he had determined
from the Magi" (Matthew 2:16).
Just
who these wise men (or Magi) were remains a
mystery. Possibly they were among those from the
Jewish line who stayed in the East (present day
Iran) following the Exile or perhaps they were
proselytes who were very familiar with the
Messianic promise. After receiving the information
that Christ was to be born in Bethlehem they went
there with a specific purpose - to worship the
Christ Child.
Apparently after initially seeing the star in the east, it was no longer seen for a period until after they had been to Jerusalem and were on their way to Bethlehem. (Compare 2:2 with 2:9,10.)
These
men were earnest seekers. The journey from the
east to Jerusalem was likely long and hard, but
they were persistent. It was the reappearance of
the star on the way to Bethlehem that prompted the
response described in the KJV when they "rejoiced
with exceeding great joy". The apparent
redundancy in the English is an attempt to convey
the richness of emotion that Matthew uses four
Greek words to express. The Amplified says, "thrilled
with ecstatic joy".
Why were they filled with such great joy? After all, at this point they had not yet seen Jesus (read the text carefully). Clearly, it was the reappearance of the star that prompted their joy. It reassured them that this was the real thing and also gave them the ability to continue their journey to find the Christ child.
We have here an example of how God reveals Himself to the earnest seeker. They had seen the star while in the East and then went to Jerusalem by faith. The reappearance of the star on their way to Bethlehem gave them a reassurance that their seeking was not in vain!
At times the light of God's guidance is remarkably clear like the star seen by the wise men while in the east. At other times God's leading is less clear, such as when the guiding star was no longer visible. But like these wise men, as earnest seekers, we walk by faith and obedience to God's Word.
Apparently after initially seeing the star in the east, it was no longer seen for a period until after they had been to Jerusalem and were on their way to Bethlehem. (Compare 2:2 with 2:9,10.)
These
men were earnest seekers. The journey from the
east to Jerusalem was likely long and hard, but
they were persistent. It was the reappearance of
the star on the way to Bethlehem that prompted the
response described in the KJV when they "rejoiced
with exceeding great joy". The apparent
redundancy in the English is an attempt to convey
the richness of emotion that Matthew uses four
Greek words to express. The Amplified says, "thrilled
with ecstatic joy".Why were they filled with such great joy? After all, at this point they had not yet seen Jesus (read the text carefully). Clearly, it was the reappearance of the star that prompted their joy. It reassured them that this was the real thing and also gave them the ability to continue their journey to find the Christ child.
We have here an example of how God reveals Himself to the earnest seeker. They had seen the star while in the East and then went to Jerusalem by faith. The reappearance of the star on their way to Bethlehem gave them a reassurance that their seeking was not in vain!
At times the light of God's guidance is remarkably clear like the star seen by the wise men while in the east. At other times God's leading is less clear, such as when the guiding star was no longer visible. But like these wise men, as earnest seekers, we walk by faith and obedience to God's Word.
At
times we see the clear, unmistakable light of
God's guidance as the wise men did when they saw
the star a second time. Truly this is a time of
great rejoicing.
But
sometimes the guidance is not as clear and we
may not see the "star".
Where are you today in your walk of faith? For some the answer will surely be, "I haven't seen the 'star' for a long time". Keep seeking, believing, following, and obeying Christ, my friend. Remember this important truth: "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Where are you today in your walk of faith? For some the answer will surely be, "I haven't seen the 'star' for a long time". Keep seeking, believing, following, and obeying Christ, my friend. Remember this important truth: "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, Your Word is a lamp unto my
feet and a light unto my path. Help me to journey
in faith when the path is dimmed or obscured by
that which You have planned for me. When I can
only see through a glass darkly, help me to trust
You for what is yet to come. May I have a
believing, obedient spirit even when I don't fully
understand Your plan. The wise men who followed
the star in the East at times lost sight of it.
But when the star shone brightly again they
rejoiced with exceeding great joy. When walking by
faith and not by sight, we too rejoice greatly
when Your light shines through the darkness
leading us toward our eternal homeland. Amen.
Special Year-end
Financial Appeal
We want to
thank all who have financially supported our
ministry this past year (and some for many
years!). We realize there are many fine
ministries and causes requesting support at this
time but if the Lord would lead you we surely need
and appreciate the financial support from our
readers and listeners. Like many ministries,
we typically see a spike in giving at the end of
the year for which we are most thankful.
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To
donate directly online click here.
This will open to a page that designates the
offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized
Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To
donate directly online click here.
This will open to a page that designates the
offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized
Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
Please Note: We
also provide this easy option due to the
convenience, for international supporters, and
for those who may not be concerned regarding
receiving an official tax deductible receipt. Click here to
send an offering using PayPal. This
will open to a page that states "Brooksyne
Weber"Thank you,
Stephen & Brooksyne
Today
we will share several photos of Lancaster
County farmhouses in our area.
This stone house is on the grounds
of the Nissley Vineyards
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
This
large brick farmhouse is on Bullmoose Road
about two miles due west of us.
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
This stately home is on Old River
Road near the Susquehanna River.
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
This
red farmhouse on Donegal Springs Road is a
colorful contrast to the snow!
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"We Three Kings" Video
The song was written by John Henry Hopkins
Jr. in 1857. At the time of composing the
carol, Hopkins served a church in
Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light
"Silent
Night" Video Herb
Basso A very colorful man of
Italian descent who was in the church we
served in New England in the 90's. Herbie
is now with the Lord. Before we left the
New England area Herbie and Celia took us
out to dinner in Rhode Island. I can still
recall Herbie, with a little suction at
the snail's head, sucking the meat from
the shell straight into the mouth, one
after the other. He was thoroughly
enjoying the taste of escargot.
Resources
for Christmas Celebrations
(We
will leave these resources posted
below our daily messages through
Christmas)
Each year
we share several online resources that
we have used over the years and that
may be a blessing to you, your family
or church during this Christmas
season.
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services over the years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This page was first posted in 2005 soon after my Mom passed away.
Christmas Knowledge Test
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services over the years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This page was first posted in 2005 soon after my Mom passed away.
Christmas Knowledge Test
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& Brooksyne
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
© Copyright 2020 Stephen C. & Brooksyne
Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA