When the Parties are Over

The day after Christmas has its own let-down effect. The parties are over, the gifts are unwrapped, the surprises revealed, the guests have gone home. Here's a meditation to keep your focus where it needs to be--on Christ.

Today's Scriptures focus on God's favor toward those who are humble. The angel's song proclaims peace, not for those who please God, but for those with whom God is pleased. This may seem like an insignificant difference, but the distinction here is important. The tense is passive, indicating not a person who earns God's pleasure, but someone who simply receives it. God's favor rests not on those who triumph by their mighty deeds, but on those who quietly trust in His love and grace.

Zachariah's prophecy about his son John reveals God's supremacy over all things, and the calling He gives to the humble. Zechariah was the last person that anyone would expect to become a father in his old age, yet God favored him with a son who would be called the greatest of all men. John's way of life would demonstrate his humility, yet God would use him to proclaim the Messiah. God still lifts up the humble today, and calls His servants from the ranks of the small, not the great.

The focus on Bethlehem reminds us not just of a small town that God exalted, but that God continuously lifts up the humble. Bethlehem had an inferiority complex. It thought itself to be the least in Judah. But God had bigger and better plans for Bethlehem than its residents could imagine. In the same way, we tend to have a lower estimation of ourselves than God has. If we could see ourselves through God's eyes then we would realize that His purpose for us goes far beyond our wildest imaginations.

Simeon's song mentions that Christ came as a light of revelation for the Gentiles, before he says that Jesus came as the glory of His own people Israel. This reverse order indicates the favor God shows to those who we would normally count as the least. Even the fact that God choose Simeon, a man who was old and long past his prime, to deliver this message, shows the Lord's favor and leading on "the least of these."

Maybe you're feeling small, insignificant, or used up on this day after Christmas. Let God's word remind you that the Lord has a plan of blessing for you, too.  Let it fill you with the peace, live, hope, and joy of Christ.


A MEDITATION WITH ECUMENICAL PRAYER BEADS:
(Click here to get your own)

Invitatory - Luke 1:68-79
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,
71 that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
 in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Cruciform - Luke 2:14
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
 and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Weeks - Matthew 2:6
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel. ’”

Benedictory - Luke 2:29-32
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
 according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”


*Scriptures taken from the ESV

A Christmas Meditation

Lights, decorations, gifts, parties, lavish foods, carols-- Christmas offers so much that overwhelm the senses. Yet the inner feast is so much greater than the one upon the table.  The glorious mysteries of Christmas fill the contemplative soul with wonder at the birthday of the babe.  They also bring to light the cosmic Christ, and usher His reign into the heart of the believer who meditates on these mysteries.

The mystery of the Incarnation, the wonder of submission to God's surprising will--these are the things that fill the heart of the one who celebrates a quiet Christmas. Many will observe this holiday alone. Whether it's from the confines of a prison cell or a nursing home bed, or perhaps in a solitary home where no family or friends gather. Yet, while alone, the contemplative soul is not lonely on Christmas if they spend the time reflecting on the glory of God in the mysteries of the season.

As you do this meditation, you will become aware that Mary isn't alone in being impregnated with the Christ. "The pure in heart will see God" means that all of virginal spirit may bear the Lord inside them, may bring to life His glorious light.  Seek God's purity in your own heart, and you too can host the Savior in the womb of your heart.

Today you may be alone, in which case you have plenty of time to meditate. Or, your schedule may be filled with visits and festivities.  If that's so then it may be even more important to observe some quiet time. Remember that favorite Christmas carol "Silent Night." Take the time to be alone and silent before God this Christmas. Soak in His mysteries. Bask in His glory.

A MEDITATION WITH ECUMENICAL PRAYER BEADS:
(Click here to get your own)

Invitatory - Luk 1:46-50
... “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.

Cruciform - Luk 1:37
For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Weeks - Mat 1:23
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).

Benedictory - Luk 1:38
 ...“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”



*Scriptures taken from the ESV.

God With Us

During this time of year, one of my favorite things is to attend a musical concert featuring Handel's Messiah. I love the majesty and meaning of the music that declares that "He shall reign forever and ever."  Within this elaborate work of musical art, we find five names of the Messiah that are worthy of reflection and meditation. Those names are deeply meaningful, and contemplating them makes us aware that indeed, God is with us."

The first is from Matthew 1:23. The ESV renders this as:

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

Everybody needs to be reminded that God is with us. At times, when the troubles of life threaten our well-being, we need to feel God's presence and care.

The other for names of God come from Isaiah 9:6 (ESV):

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 Counselor, Mighty God,
 Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

These names emphasize God's wisdom, power, intimate love, and authority to work peace in our lives. Using the Christian meditation beads, I suggest the following:

A MEDITATION WITH ECUMENICAL PRAYER BEADS
(Click here to get your own)

CROSS: The Lord's Prayer

INVITATORY:  Matthew 1:22

CRUCIFORMS:  Simply say the name "Immanuel." If you want, you could breathe slowly and steadily, dividing out the syllables by pronouncing only one syllable per breath. This means that the whole name would take for breaths to say, "Im-man-u-el." Feel the presence of God with you, so that the name itself becomes God's resonance within your spirit.

WEEK 1: "Wonderful Counselor"
WEEK 2: "Mighty God"
WEEK 3: "Everlasting Father"
WEEK 4: "Prince of Peace"

BENEDICTORY: Isaiah 9:6

CROSS: Lord's Prayer

Restored Relationship Through the Mind of Christ

If you're anything like me (or like any other human being, for that matter), you have relationships.  From time to time, these relationships can become strained.  Whether you're struggling in your marriage, friendship, relationship with a co-worker or someone in your church, or other family member, there is hope.  In Philippians 2:1, Paul appeals for the restoration of relationships that may have been damaged due to lack of encouragement, too little participation in the Spirit, not enough comfort from love, or a deficit of affection or sympathy for one another.  With one word, 'ANY,' Paul points out that there's hope for these kinds of relationships.  "If there's ANY encouragement in Christ, ANY comfort from love, ANY participation in the Spirit, ANY affection and sympathy..." then there's joyful hope for that relationship.  

In verse 2, Paul continues to tell how it can be restored.  "Being of the same mind" does not mean agreeing on everything.  Instead, it means deciding to be unified, despite your differences.  One example of this is that our children know not to pit my wife and me against each other.  If they want something and one of us says no, then even if the other one would give a "yes," the answer is still "no."  One yes and one no equals no--and we mean it.  We decided long ago to present a united front to our kids, so that they know that even if we disagree on something, we'll agree to agree for their sake. "Being of the same mind," says Paul.  The Greek word here translated "mind" comes from the word meaning "diaphram," an inner mechanism for regulating breath.  It has to do with an inner working that has an outward dynamic.  You could say that for two people to have the same diaphragm means that one is the inhale and the other is the exhale, and that working together they keep the body alive.

"Having the same love" does not mean that you love or value the same things.  Instead, the word "love" that's used here is agape, which speaks of unconditional perfect love.  If both people have the same unconditional love for one another, then they learn how to look past their differences in values.  They cherish one another more than they cherish their own opinions or their own need to be right.

When Paul says, "Being in full accord and of one mind," it may sound like he's just being redundant--in fact, the Greek word here rendered as "full accord" is the same as "same mind" above.  But Paul adds "of one mind" to the mix.  The actual word is sympsychoi, which means "same-soul."  Genesis 2.24 says that husband and wife will become "one flesh," but here the expectation is stepped up a notch.  We go from one flesh to one soul--and not just for husband and wife but for all believers.  In this we realize that the good I do for someone else I also do for myself.  In the same way, I harm myself when I harm someone else who is made in God's image.  To be of the same soul means that I would not dream of hurting the other person unless I want to do irreparable damage to my own soul as well.

In verses 3-4 Paul says, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. "  This is not the kind of humiliation that comes from low self-esteem, that puts other people first because it believes itself worthless.  Instead, it's the kind of humility that Jesus demonstrated when He washed the disciples' feet.  It's the sort of humility that He showed when He left the glory of Heaven to serve humanity.  When we put other people's needs ahead of our own, we're not saying that they are better than we are, but that we'd rather take care of them than ourselves.  By doing this, we give godlike love, which can't help but be reciprocated.

This may all sound like an impossible task for anyone.  It certainly would be, were it not for what we find in verse 5--we have the mind of Christ in us.  Now, this is an amazing thing: when we receive Jesus into our lives, the mind of Christ takes up residence within us.  At all times, believers have at their disposal the very thoughts and attitudes of Jesus.  Where we would normally seek our own glory, the mind of Christ in us helps us to not constantly grasp after recognition or power.  Where we would naturally be full of ourselves, by supernaturally accessing the mind of Christ we are able to empty ourselves of ego and become servants to all.  The mind of Christ replaces rebellion and stubbornness with humility and obedience.  It allows us to be Christlike, laying ourselves down for the good of others.

Restored relationships can only come through the mind of Christ.  Albert Einstein is attributed for saying, "Problems cannot be solved by the level of awareness that created them."  This is as true in spiritual matters as it is in physics.  If your mind got you into trouble, how can you think that your mind can get you out?  If your mind has systematically been destroying a relationship, then quit trying to solve the problem by using your mind.  You need the mind of Christ.  Only by thinking His thoughts, with His mind, can the Holy Spirit repair you, and then your relationships can be restored.

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A MEDITATION WITH ECUMENICAL PRAYER BEADS

(Click here to get your own)

Today's meditation on Philippians 2.1-11 (ESV), using the Ecumenical Prayer Beads, has the same verses for the Invitatory and Benedictory beads. For the weeks, use whatever word or phrase stands out to you from the cruciform verses.

Invitatory - verses 5-7

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Cruciform - verses 1-4

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Weeks - Select a word or phrase that stands out to you from the Cruciform Beads, to use as your meditation for the Weeks beads.

Benedictory - verses 5-11

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.