SMELLING A Smelly Stable? 2nd Monday in Advent
Read: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:6-7 (NIV) My uncle was a dairy farmer in Eden Valley, SA. He used to milk cows, morning and evening, every day, winter or summer. I never heard my uncle complain about the hours or the hard work. During holidays or when our family came to visit, I do remember going up to the dairy to watch the cows being brought in and then being attached to the milking apparatus. The sheds were kept sparkling clean and even though the cows had been standing in mud and manure, they and the floors were always clean. I used to think that this shed would smell of cow and manure, but the memories I have is the smell of wonderful warm milk. In Scripture the place where Jesus was born and laid was in a manger, an eating trough for the animals. We are not actually told if Jesus was born in a stable, but this is assumed from the above verses. I like to picture it as a clean place with the smell of fresh hay and that ‘new baby’ smell. We imagine and depict this scene with animals – if that was the case, there would definitely be animal and manure smells as I know they wouldn’t have kept it as clean as my uncle’s shed. But no matter the place that Jesus was born or the smelly stable that it possibly was, we know that Jesus was a gift to the world from our Heavenly Father. Gifts TO God back in those times were called offerings and many times in the Old Testament we hear of fragrant offerings being pleasing to God. What about when it was a gift FROM God? The gift of a baby is one of the greatest gifts and blessings for a family – this gift of Jesus for the world cannot be any better. Close your eyes and breathe deeply to experience this incredible gift, this fragrant offering to us! Prayer: Loving Father, you gave me the fragrant gift of a baby born to save the world. Guide my thoughts and actions to be pleasing always to you. Amen.
SMELLING A Memory Trigger 2nd Sunday in Advent
Read: Luke 1:1-4 “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart” Proverbs 27:9a (NIV) There are certain foods and smells which trigger childhood memories. Whenever I bake honey biscuits the smell of cinnamon and spices fill the house, and my husband immediately is transported back to childhood Christmases. On a Sunday, arriving home from church and smelling the roast in the oven brings me back to my own family’s Sunday roast when growing up. There are also smells that we associate with our loved ones. My husband’s cologne brings a smile to my heart when I smell it bringing with it the safety and security I feel with him. Others smell my Giorgio perfume and immediately know I have been there. I have been told that smells are a powerful sense that can bring memories both good and bad. The sense of smell has many functions which include detecting desirable foods, danger, attraction to others and also plays a role in taste. We can know what something is – whether good or bad without even seeing it. We can walk into a room and decide if we want to stay there or leave according to the smell. A musty room makes you want to leave, whereas a room smelling fresh and clean makes one want to linger and stay. In the beginning of Luke, the author Luke, sets the scene, like a room, to be appealing and make people want to linger longer and read more. He makes it attractive, logical and factual, an appealing smell for us all to read more about the birth of Jesus. Luke figuratively puts on the Sunday roast so that all may want to know more about God’s love through Jesus. We are also to smell good for Jesus. “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV) The way we talk and behave also is a reminder for others. Whether knowingly or unknowingly people will be attracted to Jesus, just through who you are. Be a witness and scent to the world for Jesus! Prayer: Lord, help me to be a pleasing aroma for you. You are incredible and allow me to show others this through who I am and how I act. Amen
SEEING Seeing God’s Provisions 1st Saturday in Advent
Read: Luke 2:1-7 “He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Acts 14:17b (NIV) Travelling on the musical ministry team from Lutheran Youth Encounter in the 1990’s was truly a faith building experience. We were provided with an honorarium of US$50 a month and left to being provided for everyday through the kindness of churches and their members. Each night we performed a concert in a church along with having a potluck dinner beforehand. Then we were taken home by wonderful people who offered us a bed and breakfast and supplied us with any other need – a tube of toothpaste, soap, haircut, stamps, and lunch the following day. This continued day after day for a year and sometimes we still had the US$50 in our wallet at the end of the month. We relied on God for providing for our needs through His people and we saw His goodness every day. God had planned for the coming of His Son to earth from the beginning of time. We read many references leading up to His birth and the way Jesus would then suffer and die. We read in Luke 2 all the references to Jesus being born at a particular time and place. These were documented, so that later in history we can see the proof (God knew about our unbelief). God knew that Mary and Joseph would have to travel to Bethlehem due to a census and that Bethlehem would be bustling with people. He also knew of a safe and secure place (a humble place) where the Son of a mighty God would be born. He was born without a king’s fanfare but was given the heavenly angels’ fanfare. All this was foretold in the Scriptures. God had also seen how this tiny baby was to die 33 years later, Jesus’ whole life had been seen by His watchful Father. God had provided amazing earthly parents for Jesus who would teach Him and love Him. Our God also sees our needs before we even know we have a need and places people around us to provide for these needs. Today, take note of all that God provides for you and give thanks to Him. Prayer: Thank you dear Lord for providing everything I need for life and health. Help me to see also the needs of others and help them in their needs. Amen.
SEEING The God Who Sees
Read Luke 1:46-55 “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” Genesis 16:13 (NIV) Have you ever felt invisible? That you are looked over and your opinions and thoughts not valid. As the sixth child in a large family, I often felt invisible and overlooked which made me withdraw and become quite shy. I did not like to put myself or my opinions forward for fear of being shot down. As I finished high school, a new life of university was opening to me, and I made a conscious effort that I would no longer be unseen but change my introverted nature to an extrovert… which is how people today know me. We all have a need to be seen and recognised and to be truly known. Hagar was the maidservant of Sarai, who became pregnant by Abram when Sarai couldn’t have children. Even though God had promised Sarai a child, she believed that they had to do it some other way than rely on God. But once Hagar was pregnant, Sarai made her life miserable, so she planned to run away. She tried and an angel came to her and said that God had seen her pain and he understood. Hagar called God ‘El Roi’ - the God who sees (read the verse above in Genesis). It isn’t that God just sees, but God saw her. This reveals something about God and his character. He is omnipresent, everywhere all at once, and He is omniscient, knowing everything all the time. So, God, by His very nature, cannot overlook us. We also read the song of Mary, who herself was invisible, being a woman and so young. But she praises God for revealing Himself to her and remembering her and giving her the joy and honour of being the Lord’s mother. Mary was seen by God and her life was never the same. You also are seen by God. Even when we may feel invisible to the world around us, we never go unnoticed by our Heavenly Father. God sees every heartache, every unspoken word, every sacrifice and every longing. God sees you! Praise God this Advent for revealing Himself to us in a tiny baby. Prayer: El Roi, you are the God who sees me. You know me and love me just the same. Surround me and bless me with your presence and love. Amen
Seeing Angels 1st Thursday in Advent
Read Matthew 1:18-25 “…when God brings his first-born into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’” Hebrews 1:6 (NIV) Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him. They are powerful beings who function as God’s messengers. An angel (Gabriel) appeared to Zechariah – Luke 1:5- 25 telling him of the birth of John who would prepare the way for God’s Son. Gabriel appeared to Mary (Luke 1:26-38), he appeared to Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25), then to the shepherds telling them of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:8-15). The wise men were warned in a dream, some say by angels (Matthew 2:12). Then, Joseph was warned by angels, telling him to take Jesus and Mary and flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13). In Matthew 2:19-20, the angel told Joseph to return to Nazareth. Reading through all these appearances of an angel, it is obvious that God was in control. He sent His messengers to warn, to tell, and to go see – they were the ones bringing the news of God to humans on Earth. These appearances of an angel were all designed to tell of the birth of a Saviour and to protect Him from any harm. In the Bible, there are 273 occurrences of angels being referenced in 34 different books of the Bible. Are angels real? Absolutely. God has said that “He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11 NIV). Whenever my children have to travel distances, I always pray that God’s angels will guard them as they travel and protect them from all harm. Does he send His angels when we ask? I can see that He does for my prayers are answered. Martin Luther in his ‘morning and evening prayers’ prays: ‘Let your holy angel be with me, so that the evil one may have no power over me.’ This Advent season I pray for you that you will see God in His love and goodness in caring for and guiding you in all you do. God’s angels watch over you! Prayer: Heavenly Father, send your angels to protect and guide my family in all we do this Christmas. Keep me from all harm and danger and bring me to see you more clearly. Amen.
SEEING Lamp Light
Luke 11:33-36 “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:15 (NIV) I was recently talking to my mother (born 1928 in the Barossa) about her childhood and only having candles, lamps and lanterns to see in the evening. She told me of a story of her childhood in the 1930’s when she had to bring the cows in to be milked every night. It was winter and it got dark early and the cows, to keep warm, used to gather in a dry creek bed away from the wind. She told me that she and her sister used to take a lantern, crunch through the frozen grass, and swing the lantern side to side as they went to the creek to find the cows. When the cows saw the light they would follow it, with the other sister chasing to get home. They saw the light to lead them to safety and a warm shed. After dinner, a lamp would be lit in the middle of the dining room table. At this table the younger children (mum and her sister) would do their homework, the older sisters would do mending and darning, granny would be reading her Sunday school lesson or doing crochet work and grandpa would be reading the paper. One lamp allowed all to see (read Matthew 5:15 above). At bedtime, this would be extinguished, and each would take a candle to their rooms. In John 1, we read a couple days ago that Jesus is the light that has come into the world to help everyone see their need for forgiveness and a Saviour. In Psalm 119:105, God’s Word, the Bible is likened to a lamp which guides us wherever we go and helps us to see. We don’t have the same sort of darkness as they did years ago, due to electricity and everything giving off little bits of light – charging phones, clocks, modems, streetlights - but remember that darkness is the absence of light. To not have the light of Jesus means to be in total darkness. Shine your light into people’s darkness this Advent and share the light of Jesus. Prayer: Lord, your light gives encouragement and purpose for me. Guide me as I talk with others and share your light and love with those around me to help them see you. Amen.
Read: Luke 11:33-36 “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:15 (NIV) I was recently talking to my mother (born 1928 in the Barossa) about her childhood and only having candles, lamps, and lanterns to see in the evening. She told me of a story of her childhood in the 1930’s when she had to bring the cows in to be milked every night. It was winter and it got dark early and the cows, to keep warm, used to gather in a dry creek bed away from the wind. She told me that she and her sister used to take a lantern, crunch through the frozen grass, and swing the lantern side to side as they went to the creek to find the cows. When the cows saw the light they would follow it, with the other sister chasing to get home. They saw the light to lead them to safety and a warm shed. After dinner, a lamp would be lit in the middle of the dining room table. At this table the younger children (mum and her sister) would do their homework, the older sisters would do mending and darning, granny would be reading her Sunday school lesson or doing crochet work and grandpa would be reading the paper. One lamp allowed all to see (read Matthew 5:15 above). At bedtime, this would be extinguished, and each would take a candle to their rooms. In John 1, we read a couple days ago that Jesus is the light that has come into the world to help everyone see their need for forgiveness and a Saviour. In Psalm 119:105, God’s Word, the Bible is likened to a lamp which guides us wherever we go and helps us to see. We don’t have the same sort of darkness as they did years ago, due to electricity and everything giving off little bits of light – charging phones, clocks, modems, streetlights - but remember that darkness is the absence of light. To not have the light of Jesus means to be in total darkness. Shine your light into people’s darkness this Advent and share the light of Jesus. Prayer: Lord, your light gives encouragement and purpose for me. Guide me as I talk with others and share your light and love with those around me to help them see you. Amen.
Read Luke 1:26-38
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6 (NIV) Humility is not considered the most important quality these days. To get anywhere we must put ourselves forward and be open and brash about declaring our own greatness. Greatness is not found in sitting in a corner. However, some have made it to greatness through being humble. Mahatma Gandhi embraced humility. Even though he was a lawyer and extremely learned, he spent his life serving the poorest of the poor. He carried human soil on his head, cleaned his own rooms, fasted weekly and spun his own cloth for clothes. He served others in a spirit of giving. He said that ‘one must become as humble as the dust before you can discover the truth.’ Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of the Saviour of the world. She wasn’t very old, about 14 and she was already engaged to Joseph. Jewish law demanded that the woman must be a virgin to marry; otherwise, the woman will be known as a harlot -- a prostitute and despised -- and possibly even stoned. For Mary to hear the words from the angel that she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit would have been incredibly hard to hear, but we see her humility and acceptance of the facts. Mary rejoiced at this news and called herself blessed by God and in her song (Luke 1:46-55) she praised God for bestowing on her this honour of being the mother of the Son of God. She didn’t go around telling people that she was bearing God’s Son, rather in humility we see her acceptance: “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’” (Luke 1:38a NIV). Mary’s example can be one for us also. Her acceptance and humility in hearing God and knowing what He wanted of her, produced an incredible strength and love. May we also accept God’s mission for our lives with much humility and strength so that others may be drawn to knowing God for themselves. In humility we see greatness! Prayer: Heavenly Father, you have charged me with the mission to share your love and grace with others. Help me to serve you and others with humility. Amen.
SEEING Recognising the Light 1st Sunday in Advent Read: John 1:1-14
“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” John 1:9 (NIV) Recently when travelling up the coast of Queensland, we happened to come across some amazing caves just outside of Rockhampton – the Capricorn Caves. They are Queensland’s oldest tourist attraction, opening to visitors in the early 1880’s.
These limestone caves are privately owned and are truly a wonder with many adventures – rock climbing, abseiling, fossicking and caving. Not that we did all these things, but what amazed me was the Cathedral Cave that had been set up as a chapel. Pews had been set up and with the natural acoustics the music played for us was ‘heavenly’. Many weddings are held here, and orchestras and music bands hold events in this room. When the lights were extinguished and music was played my senses took a tumble. The absence of light was filled with the presence of music.
When one sense (sight) was deprived, the other senses (hearing, smelling and touch) took over. Many times, we take for granted our senses that fill our lives with a certain quality of life. God gave us these senses to fill our lives and give us quality experiences. In the Book of John, John begins not in the normal way with the story of the nativity, but rather fills our senses with the understanding of who Jesus really was and why He was coming into the world.
Jesus is referred to as the light and it is through being in the light that we see Him best. In the darkness we cannot recognise anything well and can make mistakes and have accidents, but it is when we are filled and surrounded with light, the light of Jesus, that all becomes clear. “Life was in him [Jesus], and that life was the light for all people.” John 1:4 (NIRV) Jesus is our light, and it is when we see everything through the lens of Jesus, that we can live our lives to the full. Experience Jesus this Advent through seeing who Jesus is and why He has come into the world. Live in the light of Jesus! Prayer: Thank you Father for filling my life with your light. Through this light may I be able to see and understand your love and grace that comes to me every day. Amen