They Were Looking for a Sign

When I was searching I found a sign.

But the angel said to them, “do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ The Lord.  This will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

They were looking for a sign
When Heavens chorus did align
And to Shepherd did appear
Song rang out. HE IS HERE!

Do you feel Him in your heart
It is where Christmas got its start
A babe in Bethlehem, born that night
Can you feel it, oh what a glorious sight.

Now you know the Christmas story
God came down in all His glory
Born to suffer born to save.
For you and me, ‘The Gift’ He gave.

© Laurette Laster

This morning as I was reading through my poems I was looking for one to post today, I was thinking about the word consolation. The people of God were looking for the promised consolation of Israel. I talked about in a previous blog that God is talking. This is a fact we hear spoken over and over in the scriptures. But as to who is going to hear, there are specific regulations that God required. It is to those who are intently looking, and having bowed their ear, this kind of listening is what God is looking for. It is to these that the word of The Lord will be heard. It must be valued and treasured. After Simeon and Anna spoke to Mary and Joseph concerning this child, scriptures tells us, ” But Mary treasured up  all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19 NIV) God isn’t slothful or wasteful or bored, and He isn’t going to tickle our ears either. He is serious and I believe coined the phrase, Serious inquiries only.

So with all this in my heart off to my office and to my husband Greg’s, late mother’s concordance, I went to search. Greg’s mother gifted her concordance to him many years ago, but I must say it has been a genuine treasure and gift to me as well.  I mistakenly looked in the Hebrew word for consolation when the corresponding number was Greek. But I do not believe now it was a mistake.

The Hebrew word is 3874  luwt or lut definition: to wrap closely or tightly, enwrap or envelop, cover, comfort, veil or covering

Greek word 3874 paraklesia definition: comfort or consolation

Wow! Each word tells the very unique story of our Saviors birth, and the salvation and the promised Holy Spirit story. But this was a “sign” to the shepherds. To those who knew the Hebrew and the Greek language it was a wheel in a wheel that Ezekiel tells us about. This was indeed another mystery that was veiled or wrapped up. “The Gift was wrapped and hidden until the appointed time.” The sign was in the wrapping of the baby in a manger. It was a picture of the consolation in the physical, the comfort, a pointing to the Spiritual.

I’ve heard so many disputes about what saying is correct or acceptable? Or which day was Christ born? When I hear these disputes it makes me very sad. Is this really worth disputing and losing your faith over? I will tell you what the sages and the learned bible teachers believe. I agree with what they teach. The Chumash is collection of Jewish sages teachings. The pages of the Chumash is filled with treasuries of customs and traditions of their times. My husband Greg bought me mine as a Christmas gift I believe the year was 2012 but it may have been 2011 or it may have been 2010. Do you get the picture? But I know I have it on my lap this very minute. The Chumash is Old Testament of course. The Old Testament is the New Testament wrapped up or veiled.

The bible teachers, Messianic Rabbi’s and sages believe Jesus was born during the Feast of Tabernacles. A time to tabernacle with God, or Immanuel, God with us. This is because of the weather conditions that would have allowed the shepherds to be out in the field with their sheep. This would have been a more perfect time to require, during a pilgrimage festival to have everyone register.  Jerusalem was bustling and the Inn was full. So with this being said Christ would have been conceived around the December 25th date. Do you really believe God was caught off guard by any of the above details or circumstances? If you are wondering, the answer is a resounding NO!

I cannot without a doubt tell you the exact date I was baptized in His Holy Spirit, but I can tell you where I was and the address it happened at. I can tell and describe to you the chair I was sitting in. I can describe the weather. I can explain in detail the day, how it felt, how overwhelming the experience was. I can still remember the warmth that flowed through me and  feel the indescribable gift, even now as I am writing this.  I can describe to you that the next day at work an employee said, “What did you do? I can see it coming out of you.” I can tell you I said to him, ” I know, it is God!” So the light was noticeable to an unbeliever as a sign. This is very interesting isn’t it?

So because I cannot tell you the exact date of my Baptism in the Holy Spirit, or the exact date the Chumash was given as a gift to me, does it make this event in my life any less viable or real? No, of course not. It is not only real; it has been a life changing event that continues to unfold or unwrap. This is a gift that continues to be unveiled to me. The angel said to the shepherds ‘Today’ in the city of David, a Savior has been born for you. The people of God, including these shepherds were looking for the consolation of Israel. They knew the time was at hand and it should be happening. They knew by searching the teachings of the scribes, the prophets, and the sages that God was going to show up and send A Savior The Messiah.

And Today is the day of salvation to all who are looking. 2 Corinthians 6:2 His day of favor, does that sound familiar?

I pray if you haven’t looked that you will. There is a gift just for you. Don’t forget to open your GIFT.

The picture of the bible above is the bible that turned into pure gold, right before my eyes and right in my very own hands. These pages were what opened the gift of God as my Father, and my salvation in Jesus Christ’ death burial and resurrection. What a gift, What a Savior, What a God. Immanuel. God with us.

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you and give you Shalom.

Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette