Matthew 1:18-20a; 24
"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 had 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....when Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had
commanded him and took Mary home as his wife."
NIV
It had been a long day. It commenced at 3:30 a.m. when
I was called into the jail and was just ending now at 5:30 p.m. Ending was not
exactly the right word however as my daughter had taken over at the detention
centre, as I left, which meant I still had all the evening barnyard and house
chores to do on my own.
I had finished feeding the dogs, collecting, washing
and depositing the eggs in the fridge and forking hay to livestock. Now I was
standing in the dusky drizzling wet. Weary and worn, feeling every one of my 62
plus years and very much alone, I was waiting for the water trough to top up,
when something unexpected occurred. A warm, soft head nudged under my hand as
brown eyes looked up into mine. Denby my collie, sensing my discouragement and
frustration had come alongside to offer his support. With this loving gesture
also came the dawning of renewed truth. Just as Denby stood so faithfully beside
me, so did God’s ever present Spirit. I was not alone. God understood my
situation and would continue to supply all I needed to accomplish the tasks at
hand, just as he always had in the past. With this dawning the warmth and
invigorating power of His inner peace quickly routed all feelings of frustration
and weariness of heart.
Many years ago, the earthly father of Jesus must also
have felt deeply discouraged, frustrated, weary and very much alone, as he
wondered what to do when he discovered his beloved Mary was pregnant with
another’s child. God’s reminder to him that he was not alone came through the
guise of a dream. As Joseph slept God’s presence came alongside, revealing the
right pathway for him to follow and filling his heart with invigorating power
and peace to obey.
Emmanuel, God with us, was the child whom Joseph was
called to care for as his own. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, come to earth that
man might never again be alone, separated from God.
This Christmas season you may be in the midst of
feeling discouraged, weary, frustrated and very much alone, but this need not be
so. Emmanuel, God with us, is right where you are whatever you may be doing,
however you may be feeling. And within this precious truth lies the dawning of
invigorating power and everlasting peace within, if only we will reach out in
faith and embrace Him...Emmanuel, God with us.
Prayer: Father God thank you that through your Holy
Spirit, the living Christ is always near, ready and waiting to bestow His power
and peace that passes understanding upon us, for the asking. Grant us faith to
ask now. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
lynnephipps@hotmail.com
Atlin, BC
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