It had been a long 400 years of silence. Malachi had been the last \u201cofficial\u201d word from God. Now the silence was deafening. Life went on but where was God? Did He care? Did He leave them? Did He forget them?\u00a0Had He washed His
\nhands of\u00a0them? Did they misinterpret what He said to them?<\/p>\n
God had used prophets throughout Israel\u2019s history to tell His people what He wanted them to do. He wanted them to rebuild the temple and worship Him only. He wanted them to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with Him. Their history was very sketchy with God.\u00a0 It was a history of obedience then rebellion then obedience then idolatry \u2013 up and down, back and forth. Most of them hadn\u2019t listened to the prophets \u2013 there were a few that were obedient, a remnant. Most continued to disobey God. He warned them that their disobedience would be judged.<\/p>\n
And then God got quiet. He didn\u2019t say anything to His people. He didn\u2019t say anything for 400 years. That\u2019s a long time!<\/p>\n
God\u2019s people went through a hard time. But He was silent. Maybe He had forgotten them \u2013 but He said He wouldn\u2019t. Maybe something happened to Him \u2013 but He is eternal. Maybe He went away – but He is always near.<\/p>\n
The ones who were obedient were hopeful that God would one day speak to them again. They hoped year after year. They had no idea how He would speak and He surprised them. He didn\u2019t shout from heaven. He didn\u2019t stand on a street corner preaching. He didn\u2019t send a letter. He sent a baby \u2013 His very own Son!<\/p>\n
Why that\u2019s ridiculous! Absurd. How would a baby bring victory over oppression? Peace to war and conflict \u2013 especially those in my own heart and mind?\u00a0 Who would devise such a plan?\u00a0 Can a mere baby do anything about my fears of the future and guilt of the past?\u00a0 Why would God think such a crazy plan would work? And for what reason?<\/p>\n
Why expose Himself to the ugliness of the world? Foolishness. A baby isn\u2019t relevant.<\/p>\n
Or maybe, just maybe God is onto something! A baby is innocent and pure. A baby is sweet and tender. A baby brings people together. But wait a minute a baby grows up! This just doesn\u2019t make sense. How would a baby make a difference?<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s ask the shepherds that had heard the angel\u2019s message and then went to the stable to see the baby. They were glorifying God and praising Him all the way back to the fields. Or ask the magi. They bowed and worshipped the baby and before they left, they gave lavish gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh . Odd gifts for a child. No toys among these gifts.<\/p>\n
Well, at least the gold could provide for their needs. But frankincense? It was an expensive spice which was the only spice allowed on the temple altar. And myrrh? It was used in embalming?<\/p>\n
What was all that about? It speaks to the treasure to be found in Jesus. As the song says, \u201cI rather have Jesus than silver or gold.\u201d It speaks of the sacrifice of Jesus that would end the need for blood sacrifice it the temple. It speaks of Jesus\u2019 death.<\/p>\n
So what does all that gruesome stuff have to do with the baby and Christmas? \u00a0Everything. That\u2019s what it is all about.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It had been a long 400 years of silence. Malachi had been the last \u201cofficial\u201d word from God. Now the silence was deafening. Life went on but where was God? Did He care? Did He leave them? Did He forget them?\u00a0Had He washed His hands of\u00a0them? Did they misinterpret what He said to them? God…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":466,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,8,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-263","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christmas","category-holidays","category-personal-thoughts"],"yoast_head":"\n