THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

December 22, 2021

Merry Christmas

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

For the past couple of weeks I've been writing about change, and how that is often difficult for us to deal with. Our lives, our family, our church, the world around us, nature...... are all filled with changes. We have to decide and choose how we respond when those things occur; especially when they are unexpected or not what we had dreamed of or planned. Do we trust God or become bitter and angry?

Throughout the Bible, we read the stories of individuals and how their lives were altered by events that affected them. Some changes were brought about due to choices that they made; while others were situations beyond their control. That's exactly how it is for us today.

Since Christmas is coming up on Saturday, I'm going to specifically focus on Mary and Joseph.

Mary was a young girl, probably between the age of 13 to 15 years old. Back in those days, it was the custom for girls to become betrothed (engaged) at about the age of 12, from various things I found when researching.

From a teaching I heard at one time, it was the custom for a couple to become engaged, then the man would go back to his father's house and build a room on for he and his bride to live in upon their marriage. He would prepare a place for them to have as their home once they became husband and wife. Once that was completed, he would then return to the home of his fiance, they would become married, have a celebration with family and friends that would last for several days, then return to his father's house to the room that the groom had built for he and his new wife.

Joseph was probably at his father's house, building and readying a place for he and Mary to live upon their marriage. He was likely working all day on the job site, then going home in the evenings to continue working on this room, so that he could bring his bride home and they could begin their marriage. He may have had to cut down the trees himself and cut into lumber. They didn't have the tools and resources that we do today, so it was time consuming and very labor intensive. While working a full-time job, it may have taken a year or two to save up money and get the needed supplies. Then he had to build the room and build the furniture to furnish it.

So this may have been where Joseph was, when we read his short story in Matthew chapter one. We know very little about Joseph. After the birth of Jesus, he is only mentioned a few times. We know that Joseph was there with Mary, when Jesus was 12 years old and they found him teaching in the temple. But during Jesus' ministry and crucifixion, only Mary is mentioned, so it is believed that Joseph had died by that time.

We read about young Mary. She is at her parents home, probably being taught how to care for a home by her mother. She may have been taught how to cook at a young age. But perhaps her mother was teaching her how to weave, in order to make clothing and curtains and blankets once she was married. She was likely making things for her new home, once Jospeh had it completed and come to claim her as his bride. She may have been spending time with her friends, knowing that once she was married, she would be too busy to have much time on her hands.

Then one day, things begun just as they had every other day. I don't know what Mary was doing at the time; perhaps she was cooking, or doing laundry, or making beds, or at the well getting water. Apparently, she was all alone at the time. An angel suddenly appeared to her. Can you imagine?!

"Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!" Mary was confused and wondered what kind of greeting this could be.

"Don't be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High."

Mary asked, "How can this happen? I am a virgin and have never been with a man."

The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and He will be called the Son of God."

Mary's response was, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." Other versions say, "Let it be to me according to your word."

Then the angel departed.

Can you imagine what all was going through Mary's mind at that time?! Would Joseph believe her.... would her parents believe her.... what would people say.... how could this be.... wow, an angel from the Lord had chosen to appear to her!!!

When Joseph found out about the angel's appearance to Mary and what had happened, he didn't want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. I don't know if Mary was the one who went to Joseph and told him, or if her father went and told him, or how he heard the news. But the Bible says that he was a righteous man, so wanted to do what he felt like would be less humiliating and best for Mary.

As he was considering this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and spoke to him.

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through His prophet: "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a Son; and they will call Him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us'."

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. When the baby was born, they named him Jesus.

Talk about life changing! This couple thought that they were going to have a nice, quiet, normal life just like their parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts. But one moment, one angelic visit, changed everything. Their lives were never the same again after that one brief heavenly encounter. Nothing about their marriage and family were as they had dreamed and planned.

They had to travel to Bethlehem for a census, about the time Mary was to give birth. They couldn't find an available room and the only space they could find was a stable, which many believe to be a cave. This couple had never had sexual relations up to this point, but Joseph had to deliver this baby, and Mary didn't have her mama beside her to instruct and encourage and help her. The only place that they had to lay their newborn was in a manger, where animals ate. Mary swaddled her tiny baby, while Joseph found fresh straw to put in the manger. Then Mary had to figure out breast-feeding all by herself.

Here they were, probably a little scared and shell-shocked, after the birth; new parents trying to figure out what to do with this tiny little boy. Mary was exhausted and didn't have anyone, other than Joseph, to help her clean up and change clothes. She probably looked and felt bedraggled, sweaty, and stinky. I'm sure they felt the great responsibility that this baby was the Son of God, and wondered if God was pleased with how they'd brought His Son into the world.... and perhaps feeling inadequate as new parents, because they had no clean bed in which to lay him and nothing beautiful in which to wrap Him up in.

Then a group of ragtag, unkept men appeared out of nowhere. "Here, let us see this new baby!" These shepherds told Mary and Joseph that an angel had appeared to them while they were watching their sheep, telling them to go find the child. They told them about the host of angels appearing and singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill to all men."

But scripture says, that Mary kept all of these things that had happened and pondered (meditated on) them in her heart.

Apparently, Joseph and Mary found a little house to live in and stayed in Bethlehem for a while. Some time later, a group of wisemen came to visit Jesus and brought Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were likely visitors and gifts that these parents never dreamed of coming to see their Son.

Joseph had yet another dream where an angel appeared, telling him to take his family and flee to Egypt, because the king was trying to find Jesus, in order to kill him. So they had to leave their own country and go hide out in a foreign land. Definitely a change that they had not anticipated! I wonder if during these years, if Joseph and Mary had more children and their family grew, for we know that they did have more children. They never thought that they would be raising a family in a foreign country away from their families and friends.

Everything that Mary had dreamed about being a bride and marriage was completely different than she had ever imagined. Joseph's life was turned upside down. Many changed happened throughout their lifetimes. Yet it was all orchestrated by God, and He was directing their steps.

Many times throughout our lives things happen that we hadn't anticipated or dreamed of; both good and bad. We may think that our lives are on track to go one way, when God interrupts those plans and sets us on a journey that we had never imagined. But one promise that we can always hold onto is the fact that He promises to never leave or forsake us. He loves us more with a love that we cannot even comprehend.

When changes happen, may we learn to trust in our Father. May we learn to worship, regardless of our situation. And may we choose attitudes that are pleasing to God.

Jesus came to earth to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Talk about life-changing! Leaving the glory and splendor of heaven, to come to earth and live among humanity; then to be rejected and crucified. But He rose again and now is seated at the right hand of the Father, making intercession on our behalf.

And we have the promise that one day He will return for His bride, who is all believers, to take us home to His Father's house, where He has prepared us an eternal room/mansion/place in which to live forever and ever.

Take time to celebrate Jesus this Christmas season.

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

A lot of Mary's life and Joseph's life are left unknown. But we can make some guesses. For example, Mary was free to go spend about three months with her cousin. She wasn't so loaded down with household duties that she couldn't be spared. And when they went to Bethlehem, they couldn't get a room, not because they had no money, but because there weren't any rooms left. And Joseph was a professional carpenter. They may have been a little spoiled.

Then they had to spend at least a night, maybe weeks, in a stable. That must have had them questioning everything. It can be hard to hold onto faith in a situation like that. In fact, they might have had serious doubts till the shepherds came and confirmed the message from the angels. As far as we know, they went decades from the time the wise men left till Jesus began His ministry with very little evidence that He was truly the Messiah. But they held onto that faith, and it was completed as promised.

There may be many times when it is hard to hold faith. We can go through a hard time, and go months or even years without any kind of confirmation of God's promises to us. But His promises are solid and unshakable. We will see them completed. Even if it takes years.

ON THE MENEWE:

Millionaires

Melt caramels in milk over low heat; add pecans and stir.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto buttered waxed paper. Chill.

Melt paraffin and chocolate chips in a heavy saucepan over low heat.

Dip candy into chocolate mixture and return to waxed paper. Chill.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

My sisters and I have been reminiscing about Christmases when we were growing up. Memories are wonderful things to have! We had such wonderful, godly parents who loved God and loved us girls. We may not have had much materially, but they taught us about Jesus and provided for our needs. They let us know that we were loved. It has been such fun thinking back about special moments and memories that we hold dear.

May we also remember that these years are still for making memories. We are making memories, not only for ourselves, but for children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and other loved ones. One day, there will be generations who will look back upon these years.... so let's give them special moments and memories to hold in their hearts.

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus." Luke 1:30-31

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org