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GIVEN

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Words like these should really open our eyes…

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to 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.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God…”

Luke 1:30-35

How can this be?  Mary knew she couldn’t make it happen…

We like to think that we’ve accomplished something in our lives.  We’ve built something, we used the right program, the right system.  We said the right thing, we finished the task.  Our work is important.  We were creative.

And we should be happy to build and create.  It’s the way God made us.

But we’re reminded at this time of year that the most valuable things in life – no, everything in life – has actually been given.

King David wrote of our species:

…you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour.  You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet…

Psalm 8:5-6

We have a place of honour – given by God.  In fact, the greatness of humanity lies in a few mysterious words in Genesis 1:26:  Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”

A few collections of chemicals crawling around on a bit of rock in a small galaxy – how can we even be alive?  It is because even the breath of life was given by God (Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 42:5-6).

Giving

God didn’t need us – we didn’t give meaning to God’s life.  We didn’t somehow “complete” the Infinite.

We were given honour, given food to eat, given a place to live, given work to do.  And given the choice to enjoy our Creator, or shake our fists at Him.

The fallen creatures were given warnings, given hope, given punishment, given direction.

And when Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, we were given more than we will ever really understand.

How much more honour was given to humans when the Creator, the Great Invisible Spirit, took a breath?  Stretched out His small hands?  Cried salty tears?

He did not come because humanity was wondrous and He just had to be a part of it.  He made humanity all the more wondrous by stamping His Name on the race.  We didn’t even name Him, did we (Luke 2:21)?

A Son is … given …

For to us a child is born,
To us a son is given;
And the government shall be upon his shoulder,
And his name shall be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

At this time of year we’re reminded that all the joy, love, peace, and salvation that is now and more importantly that is to be – it’s all given by Him – If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:17-18)

We reflect the goodness of God when we create and when we give.  We give because He gave His only Son (John 3:16).  We give because He has given and will eternally give (Ephesians 2:4-10).  All the light we have, all the hope in the celebration, all the peace in our hearts … was given.

God… saved us and called us to a holy calling,
not because of our works
but because of his own purpose and grace,
which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
and which now has been manifested
through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,
who abolished death
and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel…

1 Timothy 1:9-10

Tweets 1-20 December (Online Deals, Bible Study, December Activities)

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Almost three weeks worth of tweets today – including some deals from Cyber Monday.  And I checked – some of these places still have some deals on, if you are looking to spend some Christmas money!  Also some other free resources, pictures from December – well, just take a look!

A Prayer for Victory over Circumstances

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Oh divine Spirit, let me find my strength in You.  I need You, that I may be strong everywhere.  I long to be independent of all circumstances, alike of the cloud and of the sunshine.  I want a power to save me from sinking in despondency, and to rescue me from soaring in pride.

I want both a pillar of fire and a pillar of cloud; a refuge from the night of adversity, and a shield from the day of prosperity.  I can find them in You.

You have proved Your power both over the night and over the day.  Come into my heart, and Your power shall be my power.  I shall be victorious over all circumstances, at home in all scenes, restful in all fortunes.  I shall have power to tread upon scorpions, and they shall do me no hurt; the world shall be mine when your Spirit is in me.

Amen.

George Matheson
(Author of O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go)
(Language slightly modernized)

BANG BANG BOOM BOOM

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It’s always a busy time of year.  As the Christmas season begins, the pilgrims stream through Ixtapaluca on their way to the Roman Catholic basilica, hoping to gain salvation and other favours from the Virgin of Guadalupe.  There are fireworks and parties and masses and traffic.

There isn’t a lot of peace – especially this year, especially here.

As I mentioned before, there has been construction going on on the other side of the duplex.  BANG BANG BANG – Hannah said they must be making a wall of nails! 😉

And there have been parties on several nights – honestly an unusual thing here.  Now at this time there does tend to be more noise, as the “bombas” go off in order to get the Virgin’s attention.

But last night the street next to us tried to outdo them all – loud music, laughing, yelling – all through the night.

I’m sure the BANG BANG BANG of hammers and BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ of drills during the day and the BOOM BOOM BOOM of music in the night is affecting us more than we think.  Pass the Coca-Cola.

Last night I had a Bible study with some friends.  They had just had their car stolen – yesterday morning.  I’m sure they would appreciate your prayers.  (They’ve given the car up as lost – it’s not worth the time, paperwork and expense to – well, to not get it back anyway)

While we were having our study, a neighbour knocked.  Her youngest (adult) son had just died the day before.  She now has one son left out of three.  She’s not a believer, and she says that she speaks with her sons every day.

No, there’s not a lot of peace.  Of course, we shouldn’t expect it.  What was it that Jesus said?  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.

Yes, the world’s peace is temporary, if it exists at all.

In fact, this isn’t even a feeling of peace in our hearts – that comes and goes too, doesn’t it?  It’s not our peace, it’s His.  It’s the security and love and hope that we have in the Spirit (even when we may not feel it).  And because of that – Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

So the morning after the night before there was a peaceful sunrise.  It only lasted a few moments – a reminder that everything in this world is temporary – the good and the bad – and the better will come.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,
to be with you forever,
even the Spirit of truth,
whom the world cannot receive,
because it neither sees him nor knows him.
You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:15-17

Volcanoes above the clouds in December

A Wedding, a Dinner, and a Study

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A quick update about the last few days.

On Saturday we went to a wedding!  There aren’t too many things better than weddings, especially if they’re Christian weddings.  Love, the symbolism of Christ and His Church, family and friends together, faith, commitment – a great reason for a party!

Isaac and Gabi

Anyway, this was the wedding of Isaac and Gabi, both from our church.  Isaac often plays guitar (very well) in services.  Gabi is one of Pastor Ismael’s daughters.

Hannah was asked to be a junior bridesmaid, so you’ll see lots of pictures of her and the wedding in our photo gallery.

In this case there were two weddings – sort of.  A civil ceremony, and then the Christian ceremony.  From before the wedding and into the reception the Lord was honoured – what a great thing to see!

On Sunday we had our service in the morning – a message from Genesis about Lot.  We even snuck in a few Christmas carols.

On Sunday afternoon there was a special Christmas dinner for Christian leaders in the Mexico City area.  This is an annual event, and this year it was hosted by the church in Santa Barbara, here in Ixtapaluca.

Arnulfo sings in the Christmas Cantata

They did a great job organizing the dinner, and even put on a mini-cantata with Christmas carols.  (Excuse me for harping on Christmas carols, but they really aren’t a big thing here, so it’s a treat to hear them!)

Today I got to lead a Bible study – 7 Ways to look for Christ in the Old Testament.  I enjoyed it – hopefully other people did too!

Now, on with the rest of the week.  Another study is coming up tomorrow, and hopefully some more time with friends and family, as well as time to get everything done we need to so that we can get a break over Christmas.

Chatting after tonight's study
Chatting after this evening’s study

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