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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

 

Out for Delivery

Good news your package is set for delivery today. Exciting news your package is out for delivery today.

 

 

Why now this time of travel

I don’t recall mention of this

No it was Hail Mary highly favored

I’ve been sent to tell you this

 

You shall conceive and bring forth a Son

You are to call His Name Jesus

Journey to Bethlehem now part of the story

House of bread, now Living He frees us

 

 

But we can look back now

At the traditions we’ve been taught

Have we forsaken reality

Is it exactly as we thought

 

 

It really wasn’t so silent

On that starry night

Only those engaged

Were aware of this Holy sight

 

The journey was very grueling

Ninety miles in that day

Was an arduous event

For the two who were in the way

 

The journey had taken a toll

You know on Mary in her condition

She probably wasn’t complaining

Perhaps unsettled in the transition

 

 

For the two it wasn’t really calm

Many were bustling all around

Gathering into the village

To register each in their own town

 

 

As history has painted

Oh A glorious sight indeed

But only to those who had chosen

To bow their ear His Voice did heed

 

For the two who walked this out

Their commitment was experiential

But to those of us who read

We know every detail was very essential

 

 

He was working His plan of salvation

God was going to redeem mankind

The plan indeed had been written

Had its beginning long before this time

 

A decree was written then issued

Requiring that all must register

A census now would be gathered

Could Caesar know about our visitor from heaven

 

Why now the need to take a count

What better timing of events to record

Those written and spoken by the prophets

Not one minute detail could be ignored

 

Coming up from Nazareth

What did Joseph see

The journey dangerous and hard

Delivering to us, eternity

 

Wait this is just a business journey right

To Bethlehem for the two

But how was Mary feeling

Aware of what was to ensue

 

Oh this seat we have been given

To view our Masters satisfaction

They however were living this out

Instructed only to follow a lawful action

 

When the days had been accomplished

Mary’s delivery time did come

All of heaven stooped to watch

The Birth of Jesus her newborn Son

 

Yes we should keep records

Of such marvelous timely events

We who sit in the stadium of time

Watching and waiting for redemptions ascent

 

He came to suffer

Our sacrifice to die

But not once in Heaven is it recorded

That this event would make them cry

 

For all of Heaven rejoiced

The Angels made a proclamation

Because He entered in legally

Heavens sacrifice for salvation

 

A glorious night yes I’ll say

When shepherds heard the news

Today in the city of David

Good News, God’s gift was delivered for you

 

Laurette laster © 2018 November

In the early days of December I received an update email from UPS, saying I could receive text messages to notify me of packages and delivery information. I thought this was a neat idea so I entered my cell phone number to receive text alerts.

A couple of days later I received a text message that said, “Good News your package is out for delivery today.” Then later in the afternoon I received another text that said, “Good News your package has been delivered.”

I had written the poem above in November, prior to receiving these notifications. I thought to myself, that is a perfect name for my Christmas Poem, Out For Delivery!

I wonder if UPS copied the bible when choosing their message. Have you considered how old the message is? The message UPS uses didn’t originate with them, no it was spoken about Two thousand eighteen years ago, by Angels who heralded the Good News of our Savior Jesus Christ’ birth.

This news was not given to some lowly dirty shepherds as we have heard or tradition has taught. Some really emotional stories and messages have been preached throughout the years, about how God showed up to some unsuspecting low life’s who didn’t know about our promised Messiah and God’s promises. Let’s think about this for a moment. God who is methodical, perfect and precise has made perfect plans and they always point us to another great truth. God would not send a message by heavenly messengers to those who didn’t understand or know where to go to look for this Babe born in Bethlehem. No, it is believed and stated that these were the Temple Shepherds. These were those who knew about the promised coming Messiah, and were looking for the redemption of Israel through Him. These shepherds worked in Migdol Edar. These shepherds, guarded the sheep that were used for Temple sacrifice. These events are perfect and planned. This event occurred after the silent years between Malachi and Matthew. Those in the Temple who studied the Torah and went to the synagogues to be taught knew the time was at hand and very close. So when the Good News was heralded the shepherds didn’t have to wonder, no they said let us go and see this thing the angels have told to us, and they went to see, and they knew where to go.

Too often we romanticize the gospel and therefore miss so much of the cost of those who were chosen by God. They each paid a very high price, but nothing compared to the cost paid by our Savior Jesus Christ. I believe Mary and Joseph like the others had to walk out their destinies by faith. Last year I saw this painting by Gari Melchers for the very first time. The painting is called The Nativity! It was painted in 1860 or 1862 I believe. When I saw this painting it made my spirit leap. I believe this was probably the best picture and captures the reality of what Mary and Joseph walked out.

Oh yes, the birth of Christ IS the most glorious event to ever happen in the history of man, there is no doubt concerning this. However God used chosen instruments for His purposes and plans. God didn’t say to those He chose, oh you blessed and highly favored you don’t have to go through the days and nights by faith. I won’t require you to live by faith. God didn’t say to them, I’ll make sure you never worry or have pain. No! God chose His vessels because God placed His Spirit in them, and God knew they would hear and obey His voice. God still knows who will bow their ear and obey His commands.

I bought a copy of this print and keep it displayed all year, just like my painting of Simeon’s Moment, the painting I received a few Christmas’s ago of Simeon with Jesus in the temple. The painting of The Nativity is in my hallway and I am often reminded, obedience is better than sacrifice. I am reminded that in the turmoil, God’s plan is working in spite of me, not because of me. I am reminded that God will have His way, if I am patient and bow my ear to His word. I am reminded that it is often after the struggle that I see His hand of mercy and realize I was being led. I am reminded of His grace that has been poured out to me by the birth of Jesus Christ. I am reminded that God’s love covers me at The Cross of Jesus Christ and faith leads me safely by His Holy Spirit now living in me because of the resurrection of Christ. And then I reminded we have hope and we have Christmas always with us in our hearts. And this came as a message to us all some two thousand and eighteen years ago:

Good News, God’s gift was delivered for you. Merry Christmas, to one and all.

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

 

 

“The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all.”  (Acts 28:2)

 

It’s time for Hollies and berries

And good news I’m sharing

It is fun and toys

And trees full of joys

It’s Christmas and giving

It’s hope and it’s living

It’s heartfelt and genuine

It’s new Love for the first time

 

It is fun and frolicking

Its sleigh rides while polishing

Its skills and drills

With fun in the hills

It’s cooking and cleaning

While dreams we are dreaming

It’s good and it is fun

It was a boy with a drum

 

Bring whatever you have

Come on don’t be a drag

It’s the time of the year

To hold loves ones near

 

It’s time for hollies and berries

Good news to be sharing

Because life is worth living

When love you are giving

 

Don’t fail to look around

Wear your best smile never frown

Because Christmas time is near

Be the one to bring the cheer

© laurette laster 2018

During these last few days before Christmas, the greatest gift we have to offer to others  is our hope. The hope we have in Jesus Christ must be shared. We do not grieve like those of the world. As believers in Messiah Jesus, the world see that we are different. They see that in struggles we have strength, in chaos we have calm, and in panic we have peace. The peace of God covers all who believe. This peace is a gift that was prophesied for many years and then proclaimed on the night of Christ’ birth. Peace on earth to those on whom His favor rest, this is our gift and our promise. God is not withholding His favor. No. God longs to cover all that will come to Him, with His peace. Jesus said “this peace I give you.” What a gift. Not as the world gives do I give, Jesus said.

We need to share this “Good News” the gift of Jesus Christ” and His salvation. Be the one this year to offer hope and good news to those around you. It is “Good News. It is Very Good News.”

“As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refreshes the soul of his masters.” (Proverbs 25:13)

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