Jesus ___________

Posted on December 24, 2022 by tricialathrop

“Three Wee Kings”, a musical fantasy by Fred Boch is one of my favorite Christmas pageants. Three kings (wee kings, it’s a children’s pageant) search for THE KING of all kings. It addresses various names of Christ. The characters, an arrogant shepherd, a brave lion, and a shining star each thinks he/she could be the Messiah. Only the lambs understand that this Lamb of God came to take their place as the perfect sacrifice.

What would you put in the above blank? Who is Jesus to you?

My concept of Jesus changes with my need or experience. I have found Him to be much more than my ticket to heaven. Over the years, He has been my strength, my confidant, my refuge, my friend, my hope…my Lord.

Here are some of my favorite names/titles for Jesus:

Isaiah 9:6 Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Jeremiah 23:6 The Lord, Our Righteousness

Matthew 16:16 The Son of the Living God

John 1:1 The Word made flesh

John 1:29 The Lamb of God

John 6:35 The Bread of Life

John 8:12 The Light of the World

John 10:11-17 The Good Shepherd

John 11:25-26 The Resurrection and the Life

John 14:6 The Way, the Truth, the Life

1 Corinthians 5:7 Our Passover Lamb

Colossians 1:15 The Image of the Invisible God

1 Timothy 1:1 Christ Jesus our Hope

Hebrews 12:24 Mediator of a new covenant

1 Peter 2:6 Chosen and precious Cornerstone

1 John 4:14 The Savior of the world

Revelation 1:8 Alpha and Omega, Who is, Who was, Who is to come

Revelation 17:14 Lord of lords, King of kings

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities: all things were created by Him and for Him.

He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything He may have the supremacy.

For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-20

I pray that your concept of Jesus will deepen and broaden this Christmas season.

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Heavenly Visitors

Posted on December 23, 2022 by tricialathrop

Imagine a shepherd in a field, looking forward to a quiet peaceful night with the sheep. The sheep finally settle down and the shepherd yawns, stretching his arms and legs. He carries on a low conversation with the other shepherds resting for the night. Suddenly an angel appears. At first he thinks it’s a dream but with the realization that this extremely shiny being is real, he drops to the ground, trembling with fear.

Even though the shepherd is told not to be afraid, he still trembles as the angel delivers the message. It’s a simple message: the Messiah is born in Bethlehem and can be found in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes.

And then, a multitude of heavenly hosts join the lone angel. We usually think the host as all angels, but the host includes the seraphim who each have 6 wigs (Isaiah 6:2), the living creatures who have 4 faces and 4 wings, and sparkly like burnished brass (Ezekiel 1:4-14), and beasts with 6 wings and full of eyes (Revelation 4:8), and the cherubim (Ezekiel 10:5). Wow, if they weren’t afraid before, they would be when they saw the heavenly host.

The heavenly host proclaimed the greatness of God, speaking of His glory, glory beyond our comprehension. They spoke of peace to the earth, available through Jesus Christ who opened the way to reconciliation with God. They spoke of God’s desire to do good to men.

God chose to send this message to a group of humble men, just doing their job. It lets me know that I don’t have to be doing anything special to hear from God. No hoops to jump through, just faithfully doing what I have been called to do, and when I least expect it, overwhelmed by the goodness of an awesome God.

And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shown round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards men.” Luke 2:8-14

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

My Legacy

Posted on December 22, 2022 by tricialathrop

As Christmas approaches, I think of Christmas past. The memories are not so much the events, but the people who impacted my life. With their life examples or encouraging words, each played a part in who I am today. I look forward to saying thank you when I meet them again in Heaven.

Thelma sang “O Holy Night” every Christmas. A petite grandmother, her beautiful soprano voice combined with her love of god drew us into an attitude of worship, calling us to fall on our knees before the Savior. I cannot sing the song today without seeing her in from of Red Lion Methodist church, honoring God with her voice.

Al greeted us every Sunday morning, opening the church doors with a warm, enchanting smile. On Christmas he dressed up as Santa and gave each child a bag of candy as we left. He stands out as a faithful man, consistent in serving the Lord by making people feel welcomed.

When we had a service when we could choose the hymns, we could count on Jip to call out, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. He often cried as he shared how much the love of Jesus Christ meant to him. Everyone was his friend, and he made each of us feel special and important.

Our organist, Dolores, invited the teens at our church to form a singing group called “The Impossibles”, not because we were impossible…though that was a running joke…but because of the power of God to do impossible things in our lives. She, along with my mom, encouraged me to spend time in the Old Testament searching for the wealth of riches in the Word of God.

Each of these people, and many more, lived their lives serving God as best they could. And each has left an imprint on my own walk with God. They all gave me a rich heritage in the Lord.

It makes me consider, what kind of legacy am I leaving for those who are watching me today?

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints, the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all truth. Colossians 1:3-6.

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

A Christmas Carol

Posted on December 21, 2022 by tricialathrop

Norm and I try to attend a live version of the “Christmas Carol” each year. In New York we saw it at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady and here in Tennessee, we go to the Clarence Brown Theater in Knoxville. Post Covid, we enjoyed being able to see it in person this year.

I love to watch “A Christmas Carol” in all its variations. Many men and women have given their acting tribute to how they envision Scrooge. Each director brings his/her own emphasis. Some follow Dicken’s original story carefully, others take a bit of liberty with their interpretation. But each one inspires me to consider my own life and how I relate to others.

Some of the things I consider:

  • A focus on money or possessions corrupts our lives and relationships. God is the only one worthy of our undivided attention.

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:8-10

  • Taking care of the poor is a number one priority. God allows us to share in His concern for the poor by giving us many opportunities to give, time and money.

If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Deuteronomy 15:7-8

  • Even the person you consider beyond hope, is not.

Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:4-10

Remember the words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us every one.” Let’s look for ways to extend God’s blessing to others.

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Traditional Nativity Part 2

Posted on December 20, 2022 by tricialathrop

Yesterday we looked at Jesus as the Lamb of God, his primary purpose in coming to earth to pave the way for us to have access to God. Fast-forward two years. Wise men from the east enter Jerusalem and begin to inquire, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Traditionally, we envision three kings, riding on their three camels, each carrying a small box. We’ve even given them names; Balthasar, Caspar, and Melchior. But in reality, we don’t know how many magi/kings traveled to see Jesus. We don’t know how many accompanied them on their journey. We know that at least two came, and brought the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Consider how royalty travels today, with a whole entourage of servants, workers, and family. I imagine the scene in Disney’s “Aladdin” where the prince came with a multitude of people accompanying him as well as piles of gifts.

These wise men came to honor a King, they would have brought the best they had, and probably lots of it. Three men with little boxes would not have upset Herod or the town of Jerusalem, but it says that Jerusalem was troubled by their appearance (Matthew 2:3).

You may think that the Magi made a mistake in going to Jerusalem first. They went to the palace of the king. Where else would one find a newborn king?

Sometimes we follow God’s direction and end up in what looks like the wrong place. It’s not always a mistake. It could be to find direction for your next step. It could be to encourage or influence another person in their walk.

In Jerusalem, the Magi learned that the King was to be born in Bethlehem, the whole city of Jerusalem heard the news that the prophesied King had been born. They also heard that one prophecy about him was fulfilled, he was born in Bethlehem.

The kings wasted no time heading to Bethlehem as soon as they knew of the clarifying prophecy. And the star reappeared, guiding them to the exact location.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, (not the stable), they saw the young child (not the infant) with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:9-11

They did not go to the stable to meet the Lamb of God, they went to the house to honor the King.

Jesus came first and foremost as our Savior, we bring him our worst; our sins, our fears, our pain, our shame. He doesn’t want us to get our act together first and then come to him. He wants us to come as we are with all our garbage and let him take care of the worst we have to offer.

But we also come to him as our King. And as our King, we bring him our very best. we bring our gold: our gifts, talents and abilities. We bring our frankincense; our worship, praise and adoration. We bring our myrrh: our obedience and self-denial.

The day will come when all the world will see him as the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. On that day, every knee will bow before him and give him the honor due to Him.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:8–11.

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Traditional Nativity Scene

Posted on December 19, 2022 by tricialathrop

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made know abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child. Luke 2:8-17.

The traditional nativity scene: Mary, Joseph, and Jesus lying in a manger, a cow, a donkey, some sheep, a shepherd or two, three kings with gifts and camels. Add a star or an angel on top of the stable and we have the Christmas story all wrapped up in a neat little package…or is it?

The shepherds received a visit from the angels and left immediately to find the baby in a manger. They went in search of a Savior, Christ the Lord, the long awaited Messiah.

Jesus was born in a stable, not because there was no room at the inn or because of their lack of money…though those circumstances paved the way for him to be born in a stable. Jesus came as the Lamb of God and where else would a lamb be born, but among the animals.

Who were the first to inspect a lamb and make sure it made a sufficient sacrifice? The shepherds, God leaves nothing to chance. The angels appeared to the shepherds who were then the first to be told about Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. They came. They saw him and then went all over the countryside telling everyone what they had heard and seen.

No kings appeared at the stable. No star stood over the young family staying there. Jesus came first and foremost as the sacrificial lamb, to give his life for the sins of all people.

On that first night, the Lord allowed the shepherds to be witnesses, and they told everyone they met about this Savior who had come. I wonder how many who heard their story went to also find the baby.

What makes Jesus our Savior? He became our substitute sacrifice on the cross, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He came to make reconciliation between God and man, bringing us the peace and goodwill foretold by the angels.

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

The Wonder of Christmas

Posted on December 17, 2022 by tricialathrop

I awoke early Christmas morning, being careful not to waken my sisters and went to the living room. I checked out the presents that lay scattered beneath the tree, touched each of the ornaments and found a clump of tinsel that I slowly spread out.

The day before, we had gone with Dad to select the tree, a live one that he could plant in the yard after Christmas. Mom found a large bucket and filled it with water. My brother and Dad maneuvered the tree into the house and put it into the bucket. We all helped to stretch the lights, replacing the burnt out bulbs.

Jeemes and Dad strung the lights while my sisters and I waited patiently…well, not so patiently. Finally Mom brought out the ornaments which included four beautiful, fragile white and gold eight inch balls that Mom bought for her first Christmas with Dad. The original set included twelve ornaments but over the years our young hands broke them one by one.

Then came the tinsel. I hated hanging tinsel, one boring strand at a time, it took forever. I accelerated the hanging of tinsel to two strands at a time, then three and finally just threw clumps at the tree…always towards the back so Mom wouldn’t see.

Chilled, I heard the furnace come on and went to sit on the air vent. I enjoyed the lights of the tree, their multi-colored glow reflecting throughout the dark room. The picture Mom had painted on the window caught some of the early morning light, a nativity scene where Jesus slept on the hay surrounded by several sheep, a donkey and a cow.

The wonder of Christmas permeated my spirit, warming my insides just as the furnace warmed my hands and feet. I reveled in the time of peace, before everyone awoke and chaos erupted.

I miss that time of calm early Christmas morning. When did I get so busy doing Christmas that I lost the wonder?

When my kids were home, I stayed up late getting ready for Christmas morning. I got out of the habit of resting in the quiet of the morning.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Christmas season; the carols, the decorations the friends, the baking, and the shopping…but sometimes I get so trapped in the wrapping that I forget the awe of the Gift.

O God, thou art my God: early will I seek thee: my soul thirsts for thee in a dry and thirsty land where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee, thus will I bless thee while I live:

I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Psalm 63:1-6 KJV

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Gratitude

Posted on December 14, 2022 by tricialathrop

Christmas overflows with opportunities to give, both openly and anonymously.

Giving brings a special satisfaction, an inner happiness that can’t be duplicated. Giving anonymously for me, brings a greater sense of accomplishment…a game I love to play. The recipient of a secret gift gets the added joy of trying to figure out the giver.

A great gift takes into account the personality and desires of the giftee. A gift from a special friend adds the flavor of the relationship. I wonder how many times I’ve not appreciated the effort that went into the choice.

I don’t think I receive gifts well. Oh I do the right things, saying “Thank you” and writing thank you notes. But I don’t immediately respond, and definitely do not do so with oohing and aching. I’ve never been an overly exuberant person, so gushing is not in my personality. I’m trying to do better…so that the person knows I appreciate the gift, or even the thought behind the gift.

I remember a time when my gift receiving was, for lack of a better word, bad. While shopping in a five and ten store, Mom put me in charge of my younger sisters. We could shop for the family and have the gifts be a surprise. They wanted to buy me a gift so I gave them some money, and they brought most of the money back.

I wish I could have a do-over. They tried to give me something special and I scoffed at its cost. That wallet became my favorite and I use it for years until it fell apart.

Gratitude comes from the heart. A person who is truly thankful gives a wonderful gift to the giver. Acknowledging the sacrifice, effort, or time extended is a start. A big smile and heart felt “Thank you”…or oohing and aching if that’s your style, assures the giver that they chose well.

As we participate in this season of giving and receiving, let’s remember to take the time to thank the One who gave His Son. All good gifts come from His hand.

Oh come let us sing to the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving. let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise.

For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods.

In his hands are the depths of the earth, the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is His, for He made it and His hands formed the dry ground.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God. And we are the people of His pasture, and we are the sheep of his hand. Psalm 95:1-7

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Joseph, the Father

Posted on December 13, 2022 by tricialathrop

I’m putting up my nativity scenes today. Jesus, Mary, the shepherds, the kings, and even the lambs get more time and consideration than Joseph. What qualities did he exhibit? What did he have to offer the Son of God?

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-24

Matthew described Joseph as a righteous man. Like Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah, he tried to follow the Law of the Lord the best he could. What did he think when Mary told him she carried a child conceived by the Holy Spirit? Did he believe her? After all, Mary was not that kind of girl, or was she?

Joseph had every right to divorce Mary and accuse her of adultery. In that day, an engagement was as binding as a marriage, any break-up required a divorce. The person having sexual relations outside that relationship was considered an adulterer. Mary could have been put to death because of his accusation (Lev 20:10).

Joseph showed compassion, he chose to divorce her quietly, without accusation.

God stepped in. He sent an angel to speak to Joseph in his dream. In fact, all the communication to Joseph about Jesus was through a dream. There is no indication of any hesitation on his part. He married Mary the next day (Matthew 1:24). When the angel appeared in a dream, he left that night, taking Mary and Jesus to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15). Another angel, he returned to the Galilee region (Matthew 2:19-22).

Luke tells us that Joseph obeyed the civil law, and went to be counted and taxed. He also tells us that Joseph and Mary did everything required by the Law after the birth of Jesus.

The last we hear of Joseph is in Jerusalem, after the Passover when Jesus was twelve years old. He and Mary frantically searched Jerusalem for three days until they found him in the Temple, speaking to the teachers. Three days of deep concern and increasing anxiety.

What emotions raced through Joseph as Jesus said, “Didn’t you know I had to be about my Father’s business?”? For twelve years Joseph had raised Jesus as his own son, instructing him in the Law of the Lord, teaching him the art of carpentry, comforting him when he cried…then Jesus reminded him of his identity, the Son of God.

Then Jesus went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. Luke 2:51

God placed Jesus into Joseph’s hands. He chose Joseph to be the one who guided Jesus into the knowledge of the Lord.

Jesus did not stay with the teachers in Jerusalem. His training would still be found with Joseph, a man who lived the heart of God.

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Ringing of the Bells

Posted on December 9, 2022 by tricialathrop

I love a good bell choir, especially at Christmas! The resonating sound of the bells lifts my spirit. I joined the bell choir at our church in Cincinnati. I had never played the bells before and had a lot to learn. I walked into the first rehearsal with my white gloves and met the other ladies. Only one had played before.

Before us lay shiny brass bells arranged from largest to smallest. Each bell plays only one note. Our bells ranged in size from the large D below middle C with its deep “BONG”, to a tiny high-pitched tinkling B-flat. Each of us would be responsible for up to four bells.

We put on our white gloves to protect the bells. The oil from our hands could change the tone of the bells over time. We walked along the table, testing each of the bells to decide which we’d like to play. Surprisingly, none of us chose the same bells.

I chose to play the larger bells with the lowest notes. I picked up the D and rang it. It made my whole are vibrate. I learned various ways to hold the bell to change the quality of the sound. Sometimes I left it on the table and plucked the clapper, or I swung the bell letting it slide along my side, and sometimes I rang it in no special way.

After we felt comfortable with our bells, we began to play a song. The director gave us a very slow count. I watched the music for my notes and joyfully rang my bells when called for. Sometimes I forgot to switch the bell and rang the wrong bell. Sometimes I rang the right bell at the wrong time. I wasn’t the only one.

The director slowed the song even more. We practiced for weeks until we could play one song correctly at the right tempo. We had a very patient director.

To make music that harmonized and blended into a beautiful song, we had to be in one accord, united in tempo and mood. We put our individual preferences on hold as we searched for the best sound for each song. The director determined the playing of the bells, interpreting the intent of the composer. Some bells tolled the melody, and others provided background harmony. Some bells tolled for an entire song, while others lay on the table, ready to be rung if needed.

When we got it, each of us playing the right bell at just the right time, the harmony blended to an engaging melody, blessing all who heard it. If even one bell tolled out of place, we all flinched.

We are bells in God’s choir, each of us unique in tone and purpose. He has written a beautiful melody for the people who follow Jesus Christ to play together. When each of us rings our note at the right time, the world hears a song that gives praise and glory to God.

The body is a unit though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.

So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, salves or free, and we were all given the one Spirit to drink…

But in fact, God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13:8

Categories: Christmas advent, Devotional | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Blog at WordPress.com.