“Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs, And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.”
Isaiah 40:11
While shepherds watched their flock by night, an angel appeared, and God’s glory shone bright. The angel told the shepherds to not be afraid since a proclamation of great joy was being made! A Savior for all people was born, who was Christ the Lord! And then more angels praised God for the Baby adored. Straightway to Bethlehem the shepherds went to see this One Whom God had sent. To everyone they saw, they made known what was told of God’s gift, Who was cut from the shepherd’s mold. He would have a flock–the Good Shepherd He would be- He would die for that flock, both for you and for me. To rescue and die for the lambs–no greater love could have been sent to us from above. If you’re not yet His lamb, be aware there is danger– we have need of the Good Shepherd, once a babe in a manger. Just receive Him as Savior–then learn of His great care in shepherding your life as you come to Him in prayer. At Christ’s birth, we were blessed, and God’s message came then— of “peace on earth and good will toward men!”
P. A. Oltrogge
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12
“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they might have life and might have it abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:9-11
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14 (King James Version)
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made [f]widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
(From Luke 2 NKJV)
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“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 King James Version
A blessed Merry Christmas UNTO YOU, dear follower or friend of this blog…
Greetings dear followers and friends of this blog,
As a “gift,” by way of suggestion, you may enjoy taking in a wonderful Christmas concert from December, 2020, or a previous year (with full orchestra) by doing an internet search for: You Tube Alistair Begg Christmas Concert, A Parkside Christmas, presented by Parkside Church in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth have been from of old, From everlasting.” Micah 5:2 NLT
From destined Bethlehem Ephrathah, a town that was very small, would come the One who would be Ruler of Israel and the Lord of all.
The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, a virgin humble and mild, who God the Father had chosen to bear the Messiah—Jesus, His Holy Child.
Coming forth from the family of Judah, Jesus’ birth was lauded that night, by rejoicing angelic voices, as the world’s Savior from sin’s blight.
His goings forth, the prophet Micah said, were actually “from of old– from everlasting,” as He preexisted with God the Father, if the truth be told.
After His birth, Mary laid Him down in a manger—a depiction very sweet. But He was Immanuel, the eternal Mighty God, sent to bring about Satan’s defeat.
P. A. Oltrogge
…this writing inspired by a devotional written by Kenneth E. Hagin, Founder, Rhema Bible Training College
Joseph, betrothed to Mary, was troubled, having learned she was with child, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying…
“‘Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: Behold the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His Name Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us.’” Matthew 1:20-23 NKJV
Prior to this, Mary had been visited:
“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!’
“But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’
“Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’ And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.’
“Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.”
Luke 1:26-38 NKJV
“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’”
Luke 2:7-14 NKJV
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 18:11 NKJV
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 NKJV
“The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—“. Acts 10:36 NKJV
I wonder how Christmas celebrations in heaven today would actually be.
Perhaps there are extraordinary garlands and a most brilliant Christmas tree!
Surely, the angels who lauded Jesus’ birth to shepherds in the field back then
are still singing the beautiful chorus of “Peace on earth, good will to men!”
Those shepherds who first heard the message are now in the presence of the Lord,
along with many faithful Christians who have gone on to their eternal reward.
Mary and Joseph, the chosen couple, would remember the time of Christ’s birth—
what a role they had in providing tender care for the Redeemer of the earth!
Beautiful carols, written over the centuries, must be so gloriously sung,
the saints joining in with grateful praise—people of every nation and tongue!
Love, joy, and peace would surround overwhelmingly in that heavenly place—
Christmas, or any season in heaven, will be the richest experience of God’s grace.
The wise men who traveled from afar, and fell down in worship of the Child,
are there in heaven, for they recognized Him, as the King who’d been born undefiled.
And, oh, The Bright and Morning Star—Jesus Himself, would tower over heaven’s Christmas tree.
He, who was crucified on a “tree” long ago, reigns in victory throughout eternity!
P. A. Oltrogge
Noting these scriptures after, and because of, Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross, also known as “the tree”…
“Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.” Acts 13:29
“(The Just Live by Faith) For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13-14
“…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” Revelation 22:16
In the wintry month of December, during the Christmas season each year, a nearby church creatively causes the town of Bethlehem to appear.
Not as Bethlehem is seen today, but, instead, how it might have been, with people of different trades at work; and there’s even the sold-out inn.
Watching a person making pottery or someone doing basket weaving, or kneading dough for some bread makes you feel you are there and not make-believing.
An actual camel with a rider and some shepherds watching over their sheep… add to the atmosphere of old Bethlehem as the night turns dark and deep.
“Angels” in white, with golden sashes, and “wise men” in rich-looking attire also walk among the visitors, who can warm up at a carefully-tended fire.
Hot cider or chocolate are provided, and Christmas carolers are heard… here and there on the “Bethlehem” grounds, reflecting the joy of God’s Word.
The highlight is the blessed manger scene—or the nativity, as it’s called— featuring Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus, with whom we’re most enthralled.
Little children, as well as adults, walk away with hearts that are fully amazed…at having taken a walk down Bethlehem’s streets—to ponder the Lord’s birth—God, our Father, be praised!
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:13-14
P. A. Oltrogge
“Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (from the message to the shepherds in Luke 2:10-12)
At the Christmas season, with decorations inside and out, the poinsettias reflect what it’s all about. Clean as the whiteness of a lamb or a dove– the purity of ivory petals speaks of the Child sent from above.
Pink reflects cheer and the joy that was proclaimed by the angels about the Christ child–Jesus, He’s named. Crimson red speaks of blood that was shed for mankind by Jesus Christ upon the cross–our salvation defined.
The lives of those who receive Him gain a new lease in finding faith for living through this Prince of Peace. So, in seeing the poinsettias, rejoice for the reason that His birth in Bethlehem is what gave us this season.
P. A. Oltrogge
“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 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.” Luke 2:9-11 KJV
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.” John 1:12 KJV
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His Name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
We’ve all heard this familiar term…sometimes things are “against all odds.” Against natural law or against all odds–these define miracles, and miracles are God’s.
If there’s One who can do the impossible, it’s Jesus, the Lord of all. Peter, the fisherman, received of His power, when he netted and brought in a huge fish haul.
Later, Peter was called upon to go and raise Tabitha, (or Dorcas), who had died. Other miracles, too, he did–through the name of Jesus, the King who’d been crucified, (but glorified).
Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter, and the only son of a widow out of the city of Nain…were also raised up by the Messiah, while many others were cured of sickness and pain.
When thousands came for healing and to hear Jesus teach, He even provided them with a meal. He blessed five loaves and two fish to feed them all, looking to God, His Father, in a miracle appeal.
Jesus walked on turbulent waves of the sea and caused a storm there to cease. He Himself was raised from the dead, and now He reigns as our Prince of Peace.
He turned mere water into wine at a wedding, causing the best wine to be served last. He knew of tax money inside the mouth of a fish, caught by a hook that He’d told Peter to cast.
He made the deaf to hear, and those who were blind were freely given their sight. Miracles today still occur through His name–Jesus Christ is the world’s great Light.
And, talk about a miracle…how about when He came to earth as a baby in a manger? He was born to die as the Lamb of God–all who receive Him are rescued from danger.
Teaching that He was the way, the truth, and the life was the most miraculous truth He taught. May many still receive the pardon and gift of life…that His death and resurrection have bought.
We were lost–unable to work our way back to God–but, then, against all odds, the Father in heaven provided a way through His Son–such a brilliant miracle plan could only be God’s.
P. A. Oltrogge
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12 KJV
Peter spoke the following to the people after the healing of a lame beggar at the temple gate: “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you handed over and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.” Acts 3:13-15 NASB
“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
“God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
“He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
John 1:1-14 NLT
Jesus is the very Word of God, giving life to every created thing. The darkness can never extinguish the light of Him of whom we sing.
Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, the Word became flesh… to dwell among us, offering salvation, so that every life might begin afresh.
He’s the Light unto our path—the Way, the Truth, and the Life— and the Prince of Peace unto a world that’s been tainted by sin and strife.
His life brought the Light of the World to all—forever Jesus Christ will reign. Because He defeated death, “To me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
P. A. Oltrogge
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 NKJV
“I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NKJV
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him, who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2: 9-10 NKJV
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 NKJV
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 NKJV
“(The Word Becomes Flesh) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 NKJV
Cana of Galilee–we see Jesus and His disciples attending a wedding there. His mother was also in attendance to celebrate the newly-married pair.
At a certain point, Mary became aware that their friends had run out of wine. Knowing Jesus’ destiny, she was sure that He could provide them with more, as a supernatural sign.
So she came to Him about this problem of lack, which was towards the end of the feast; but Jesus said to her that it wasn’t yet time for His miracle power to be released.
He called her, “Woman,” rather than Mother or Mary, perhaps to remind that He wasn’t just her son, but that He was the devoted Son of God, who needed to follow the things that His Father said should be done.
Yet she said to the servants, “Whatever He tells you, do it,” thereby exemplifying…that she still had faith in Him to help–and faith pleases God–of that, there’s no denying.
Therefore, Jesus must have heard His heavenly Father’s voice on the matter at hand, for the servants soon filled six stone waterpots to the brim upon His command.
The waterpots were there for the Jewish ceremonial washing that was done in that day. So the turning of the water into wine for the wedding brings to mind cleansing through Christ, the new and life-giving way.
He told the servants to draw from the “water” and take it to the head steward to try. Upon tasting it, he found it to suddenly be the best of the wine, and he didn’t know why.
He called the bridegroom to exclaim that the best wine is usually served first. This miracle of Jesus seems also like a prelude to the “living water,” which satisfies our spiritual thirst.
And in these days in which we’re living, we can remember this miracle from the past, which inspires faith that the best is yet to come, for God sometimes saves the best until the last.
P. A. Oltrogge
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:19-22 NLT
(other translations call it “a new and living way”)
“Jesus replied, ‘If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.'” John 4:10 NLT
The Porch of the Lord 