Luke 1 ~ Blessed be the Lord God of Israel

Light

The Placing of a burning candle in a window is a tradition dating back further than we could possibly know. Candle light evokes the warmth of home and family. The fireplace was center of family life and the candle was used aiding the fireplace.

A candle was placed in the window when a member of the family was away. The lit candle was also placed in the window as a sign of good news or as a beacon to weary travelers. Candles also represented friendship and seen as welcome. Buildings were often miles apart. The sight of a candle in a window from a distance was a sign of "Light." 

Luke 1 comforts and teaches us of the Light.

Eyewitnesses and Ministers of God's Word fully illustrates teachings the History of Jesus' life and His ministry. Years were taken considering writing orderly accounts and answers to questions displaying  certainty of God's miraculous events.

Luke 1 prophetically begins with God's Genesis -  God creating Light shining in the darkness. These men, in the strength of the Holy Spirit, bear witness of God's Light for the millenniums' belief and strength in overcoming.

The True Light is the Light and Life in mankind. All mankind receiving God's Light of the world - Jesus Christ - these people became children of God. His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. And from Jesus'  fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses - Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Zechariah is proclaiming to us of the arrival of God's Light. And in telling us this is giving us Luke 2. 

Luke 1

68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.

We will go before the Lord to prepare His ways

The tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Preparing for us  the Way of Luke 2, The Birth of God's Son, Jesus, the Christ of God.

Luke 2

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, 

and the glory of the Lord shone around them, 

and they were filled with fear. 

10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, 

who is Christ the Lord. 

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!" 

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, 

the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go"

Bearing Witness to the Light of God - Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. 
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Abba,

You have told us, You Who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We ask Your Blessings.

And Give Thanks for Your Gift of Jesus and of Christmas.

Let Love enfold us, our loved ones, this Nation, all the Beloved of the world looking to You - in the Name of Jesus - bringing more Heaven on earth. Help us to be Blessing Finders and givers.

In the Name of Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Jesus our Christ. Amen Amen and Amen. Alleluia.

  

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

John 2:1-22 ~ the Word Jesus has spoken

Lithostrotos Museum Israel - Pottery from the time of Jesus found in Jerusalem

Road begins in Cana and goes to Nazareth, Vintage Photo

John 2:1-12

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 

² Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. ³ When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 

⁴ And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 

⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

⁶ Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. ⁷ Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.”

So they took it. ⁹ When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom ¹⁰ and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” <sup>1

1</sup> This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

¹² After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Vintage photo of Capernaum

Synagogue and Peter's House in Capernaum

It is an urban legend people dream in black and white. All of our senses are used when we dream. I know, because I looked on Google.

For Bible believing Christians, this passage of the disciple bearing witness to these things of Jesus, who has written these things and knows His testimony is true - is pretty familiar. Especially if you were raised in Sunday School or Parochial School. So familiar, they become words on a page.

Don't let the words stay on the page. I realized today, when I read of Jesus, I see Him surrounded by people. Not saints in robes, but people you'd know from High School and College and Church. These are flesh and blood people. The kind of people you like to be with. And Jesus is warm. Laughing. He is at a wedding.

When you read the Scriptures, remember to set your table. Meaning - when it is a Holiday (Holy Day) your table is set. When you read the Scriptures, give yourself time to think of the the warmth of Israel. The texture of the jars. If they were warm to the touch. People filled them. Place yourself with Jesus.

And remember with joy. We Love the LORD. Jesus' first sign isn't just the Joy of the LORD that He would make wine (to make our hearts glad),

Jesus' first sign is that as God,
He listened with patience and kindness to a woman (us - who do His will) asking Him to care and to provide.

Genesis 27:28

May God 

give you 

of heaven's dew 

and 

of earth's richness

an abundance of grain 

and new wine

Psalm 100

4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise;

and

give thanks to Him

and

bless His name.

Matthew 13:1-58 

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 

And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path"

What we do with our time and our lives. Our words, even the words after words spoken. Reclaimation. Renewal. Redemption. Living the real life. Doing our best. Sowing seeds and trying to make wine from water. To live the adventure and the bouquet.

How much does God Love?

Luke 12:7

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

That is a lot of Love.



Abba, Father, Father

Life forever more.

Life forever more. When we have been there 10,000 years. Bright Shining as the Sun. Living in His Grace.

We would love to have and see and hope for more Heaven on earth. From our cares to the Love known of Father God in those we Love. Every day and every hair on our head. From what is at hand to the Nation we want entrusted to our Father.

His Willing Blessing upon us to all the Beloved of His all surrounding the earth, the fullness of God,  hearing our prayers telling us never to lose hope. We ask for His Blessing for more Heaven upon earth.

In our Wonderful Jesus Christ, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!

Matthew 1:18-24 ~ The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

Matthew 1:18-24

8 Now the birth of Jesus Christ [the Christ] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed [engaged] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But 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. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”  (which means, God with us). (Isaiah 7:14)

24When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife!

Jesus is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Joshua, meaning 'God is salvation'. 

Mary had choices, the angel heard Mary agree to God's plan. 

Joseph, also, had choices multiplying after looking for compassion.

 Jesus had choices as well. The Pharisees wonder if Jesus will flee - what choices Jesus would make. Jesus was asked for an interview by Greek Jews of Crete - Cretans have a reputation for laziness and gluttony - perhaps they heard Jesus was an eater and drinker - they wanted Jesus on Crete. Titus was one of the 72 disciples and Titus lived to be quite old according to old Church histories - the age of 94 as Bishop of Crete.

 Jesus was walking a different path. One of Salvation.

John 7:30-35
30 At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. 31 Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, "When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?"

32 The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him. 33 Jesus said, "I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. 34 You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come."

35 The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36 What did he mean when he said, 'You will look for me, but you will not find me,' and 'Where I am, you cannot come'?"

John 12:19-28
19 So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!"

Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 

Jesus, being in the world, was presented with options. Jesus, being God, wanted to fulfill God's plan of salvation. Because Jesus is our atonement, He is our Messiah. 

Thank you, Father, for the gift of Your Son. Thank you, Jesus, for your willingness to be grace and truth living among us. Thank you, Holy Spirit, You never depart from us.

Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Joshua 1:5
No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Proverbs 3:3
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Matthew 28:20
I am with you always

Father God, when You look to our Souls the only eternal aspect of us. What do You hope to see? You are not that far from us - dwelling within us - yet You are vast we ask to see with Your eyes what You delight in.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Love!!! Affection, appreciation, fondness, friendship, passion, respect, tenderness, yearning, adulation,
allegiance, ardor, attachment, cherishing, delight, devotedness, enjoyment, fidelity, involvement, and like.

Joy! Comfort, delight, elation, glee, humor, pride, satisfaction, wonder, exultation, frolic, gladness, gratification, indulgence, merriment, rejoicing, revelry, and good humor.

Peace ~ love, hope, bounce, reconciliation, truce, unity, affability, concord, tranquility, calm, forethought, groundwork, restfulness, reflection, optimism. Generosity. 

Forbearance. Fortitude, endurance, moderation, restraint, temperance, easy going. PATIENCE. 

Goodness ...the expectation thereof!

Faithfulness - the willingness to do the right action even at a cost. Knowing you are giving more than what what would have been done for you. Loyalty. Endurance. Recreating a spark. Remembering past gratitude. Adherence. Care. Constancy. Dependability, trustworthy, giving truth.

Gentleness - tenderness and kindness.

Self-control - restraint.

When we turn to the Lord - the Lord is Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And when we behold the Glory of the Lord we are transformed into the image of His Glory - and we differ in degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is a Holy Spirit.

Father God, You ask us to look for what is pure and good and each day God's mercies renew. It is in loving - we renew.

In Jesus,  we lift to You these qualities in ourselves, our loved ones, our friends, Church family, co-workers, merciful neighbors, and our communities, Churches, State, the Nation and the Nations worshiping You Father God. We ask Your blessings! 

Amen in Jesus. 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Psalm 130 ~ For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption

Psalm 130

A Song of Ascents.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! 2 O Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.

5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, 
and in his word I hope

6 my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, 
more than watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the LORD!

For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.

8 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

The Holy Spirit telling us of His Views, Life Forevermore.

Revelation 7

11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." 

13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" 14 I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 

15 "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.

Revelation 22:5-9

There will be no more night.

 They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. 

 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” 7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”

 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 

9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”

Revelation 21:4-8

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes."

There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”





Revelation 4:3

And the One who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.

Ezekiel 28

25 “ ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards"

Abba, our Father,

What Blessings You have given and the Works of our Father God on Heaven and earth.

Your Blessings we long for these for Holy Days. Cover the ones we Love, guide, encourage, lead and strengthen to Love and Joy.

Surround and enfold us all unto the Nation trusting in You.

We give Great Thanks for Your Beloved circling Your creation and we join with them in prayer,

"Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day!"

In the Name of Jesus Christ Lord God, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †