Tom Fisher - The Birth of the Christ

 

Dear Pastor Jackson,

I had time to reflect and ponder God's Words as I drove east on highway 24 past beautiful farms with herds of cows grazing peacefully on the hillsides. Everything was beautiful, quiet, and peaceful with just the comforting clicky clack of my tires on the road as it meandered over hills and creeks and then dropping steeply to cross Otter Creek in the valley below. The panoramic view was beautiful as I gazed down on the peaceful valley below. Then I began to ponder Philippians 4:

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

As I drove along I was especially pondering all the lovely, pure, and honest things of good report I should be thinking of. ONE good report outshined them all: THE BIRTH OF GOD'S INFANT CHILD JESUS, BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY, WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES, AND LYING IN A MANGER OF STRAW FOR US SINNERS. Here is an event so wonderful that it compelled ALL the angels and hosts of heaven to burst into singing. 

A wave of sadness washed over me as I realized how often my thoughts rushed past God's infant child Jesus to be fixated breathlessly on NOTHING but bad, horrible fear filled news being spewed out of the dishonest mouths of fear mongering TV news anchors and internet Bible pounding fortune tellers and soothsayers who set themselves above the God who controls and sustains the future of this world. This is the one true God who sent His angel to lowly shepherds as they watched over their flocks of sheep in the darkness of night:

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

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

9 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.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

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

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

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:1-20

Luther said he could never even begin to fathom God's love for us sinners by giving us His Holy infant child Jesus born of the virgin Mary, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger of straw for us. So our thoughts MUST run breathlessly to hear the angels sing over God's Holy infant child Jesus, born of the virgin Mary, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger of straw for us sinners. No thoughts could be more wonderful and uplifting so let us CAST off the evil, horrible dishonest putrid TV and Internet news and cling to the TRUE, honest, pure, lovely, good report set down for us in Luke 2.

In Christ,

Tom Fisher