Christmas: A Place Fit for Animals

 

 Have You Ever Considered Why Jesus Was Born In A Barn, 

A Place Fit Only For Animals?

 When the Great God sent his Son Jesus Christ, the second person of the Holy Trinity, God did not send him into a place of comfort and opulence. Jesus was not delivered into the stream of human history in great a palace with attendants on hand or to the blowing of royal trumpets to herald Jesus' entrance into humanities world. Instead, Jesus came into a place that smelled of dung and old straw, and animals. An out of the way place and unexpected place, yet this is where the Son of God met humanity; in a barn a stable, a place fit only for animals!

Jesus could have come in better surroundings but did not.

"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.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" : Lk:2:6-7

What does this tell us about the God who speaks to us all through the pages of the Holy Bible? Think about what is He saying to us?..Jesus does not just tell us about God , Jesus shows us about God. Why come here in such a place? A stable?

Our Condition

This place, the stable of Bethlehem in-which Jesus meets us in, is the condition of us all, that is, all our lives without him is a place fit only for animals. That is what sin is, a dirty place that smells of dung. But none the less, Jesus meets us there in such a place(s). A place(s) wherein we thought we might never find him.

Consider, that the God who created all things, loved and wanted you, all of us, so much that he came to such a place as this a dirty stable which stank.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made 

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Jhn: 1:1;14

Jesus came to us, he did not stand afar off aloft in the of Heavens isolated from humanity in a pure and Holy environment; no, Jesus came to us in the midst of all our brokenness and weakness, and sin. Jesus came to be with us so we might be with him. He became one of us in the Incarnation. Jesus is God in the flesh.

Relationship

" Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,

but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased." Heb: 10:5-6

When Jesus took on our humanity, he did not come to bring a "religion”, that is, "sacrifice and offering".

Our God wanted a relationship with each and all of us, that is why he came to retrieve and assume our humanity into himself. Jesus' humanity makes a relationship possible.

Jesus' humanity is every bit as important as his deity.

Jesus Understands Us

Hebrews 5, speaks of the need for the High Priest of Israel being one who is "from among the people",

This was so that priest could understand the people whom he represented before God. How much more is Jesus able understand each and all of us.

"During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered" Heb:5:7-8

The Prophet Isaiah looked ahead to Jesus at his coming and wrote of the experience that He would have here in the stable of this world as one of us

 "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not." Isa: 53:3

When we encounter the problems of life, when life stinks like a filthy stable, we can know that Jesus shares these problems with us. And there in the midst of them Jesus is there to meet us.

We may have never thought we could encounter Jesus in such places, but there he is right there in that place that smells of dung right with us. 

Yet, we have assurances that Jesus knows what we face. Jesus has been here Himself where we are.

 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Heb: 4:14-16

Jesus understands our temptations which would lead us into the dark dung strewed places of the stable of our lives, yet, our Lord did what none of us could have done, Jesus remained sinless, untainted by it yet knows it fully, tempted but no sin.

 Jesus meets us in the dark places of our being and there calls us to Himself and assures us of His divine love for us all, even when that love is reciprocated. Our God, the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit will not abandon us in that place(s) fit only for animals.

Because of Jesus, entering into the dung strewed stable of humanities existence we will not always dwell in such a place, Jesus has come to us that we might come to him and live with our God in perfect fellowship for all eternity this is why Jesus was born in a filthy stable and why Christmas is a celebration that Jesus has come to place fit only for animals.

Benediction: May all rejoice that our Lord has sent is Holy Son, Jesus Christ who meets us in places we may never have imagined, all that we might have fellowship with our God, today, tomorrow and forevermore . Amen

Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor

Topinabee Community Church

Topinabee Michigan

If You Would Like to Know More About or to Support the Ministry of Topinabee Community Church You Can go to Our Web Site.

https://topinabeechurch.org/index.html

You Can Follow Topinabee Community Church on Face Book 

https://www.facebook.com/Topinabeecommunitychurch

                       “If It's Not About Jesus, It's Not About Anything!”  

Getting Up for Church

 "Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15. NRSVUE

We went to church today.

It had been a couple of weeks, as we were out of town for family and Thanksgiving.

So, when the alarm clock went off, the inclination to roll over on yet another cold windy Northern Michigan day was strong. But we got up.
Made it to church, and the usual greeting of laughter and ribbing about football (my wife’s team won!) immediately made us glad to be there.

Then came the music. Love that Christmas music. And the readings, and the singing, Communion, prayer and sermon. All reminding us of why we are here: Our faith in God, and our love and caring for each other.

Then, we left to talk to other folks we hadn’t seen yet, eat the sweets that were lovingly prepared, and meet some new people we hope to see again soon.

We went to church today. And our day, and week to come, will surely be better for it.

Prayer: Lord, let my excuses not be greater than praising You this week. Amen.

A Feast of Wild Blackberries, and other books of devotions by Rev. Dr. Michael Sanders, make wonderful gifts! They are available locally at Ken’s Village Market in Indian River, MI.

Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor

Topinabee Community Church

Topinabee Michigan

If You Would Like to Know More About or to Support the Ministry of Topinabee Community Church You Can go to Our Web Site.

https://topinabeechurch.org/index.html

You Can Follow Topinabee Community Church on Face Book 

https://www.facebook.com/Topinabeecommunitychurch

                       “If It's Not About Jesus, It's Not About Anything!”  

The Season of Advent: Ponder All of These Words

 “But Mary treasured up all these words and pondered them in her heart.” Lk: 2:19

St. Luke in his Gospel account records for us the circumstances involving the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. St. Luke, in the first chapter of his Gospel narrative presents to us the angelic annunciation to Mary through Gabriel that she would be the bearer of the long-awaited Messiah of Israel. That she would be the Theotokos, the bearer of God.

The angel is sent from Heaven to Mary in the town of Nazareth and gives her the news from Almighty God that she would be with child and that this child that she would bear would change all things forever.

“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God”. Lk: 1:31-35 

To Bethlehem

 The Evangelist’s account tells us that through the taxation decree of Caesar, Joseph and Mary travel to the town of Bethlehem, the home their ancestor David.

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.” Lk: 2:4-5

After arriving in Bethlehem, the couple, find themselves unable to secure lodging. While in Bethlehem they find only a vacancy in a stable among the live-stock.

It is here, in this out-of-way place and time, in less-than-ideal conditions, in a stable for animals that Mary gives birth to the very child of which so much had been spoken.

“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 guest room available for them.” (6-7)

The Angelic Host

As Joseph and Mary care for their newborn son, not far off out in the fields there was a group of shepherds, who in that day, were considered to be among the marginalized members of society. 

As these shepherds tended their flock, they have a supernatural visitation in the form of an angelic messenger out of Heaven from God who announce to the shepherds good news, which initially terrifies them as the radiance of heavenly glory shines about them.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified” (8-9)

The Angel immediately speaks to them giving assurances that what is transpiring is nothing to fear, and then the Angelic messenger proclaims the good news to the shepherds that the God of their ancestors has now moved to fulfill his divine word which had been spoken of for centuries, that the long-awaited Savior had now come and that they, the marginalized, were now invited to Bethlehem to come and look upon this new born Savior, the very living embodiment of God’s faithfulness and all that God had promised.  

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (10-12)

After the angle delivers the good news of the Savior's coming, a choir of angels appear and sing praise to God.

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (13-14)

After the glorious praise of the angelic host ends, they then returned to Heaven. It is then that the shepherds resolve to go to Bethlehem and see this newly born Savior which had been proclaimed to them. (15)

They Tell the Story

The group of social outcast shepherds arrive in Bethlehem and find the stable where the Holy family of Joseph, Mary had sought shelter and their new born son who had come forth into the world just as the message of the angel has said.

“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” (16)

The shepherds share their story with any and all whom they encounter and they tell the Holy family what they had experienced through the angelic visitation. All who heard their words are amazed at the shepherd's testimony concerning the coming of this child Savior and message which brought them to this place so that they might see him the Savior, with their own eyes.

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (17-18)

Pondered Their Words

Upon hearing the shepherds recount their supernatural experience, Mary, the mother of this child of which so many words have been spoken and around which miraculous occurrence have transpired, ponders all these things which have been spoken even as the rejoicing shepherds depart still glorifying and praising God.

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (19-20)

Mary’s pondering of is more than just a causal momentary reflection, but rather it was a deep contemplation carried out at the very heart of her being over a life time for the remainder of her life.

Mary grasped that something of great divine importance had taken place for she "treasured up all these words" about her son.

Do We Ponder?

What about us? We who hear the message about of the birth of the Savior, do we, like Mary, treasure these words up in our hearts and ponder them? When we read the Holy Word of God or hear the message about the Savior Jesus Christ proclaimed to us do we ponder those words?

Do we ponder with deep and lifelong consideration the message about our Savior’s coming, there, in that far away and out-of-the-way place and time long ago?

Do we ponder why Jesus came in such a way and such a place, why be born in stable among the livestock and invite the lowly and disenfranchised to be the first to see God’s Holy Anointed One?...Why do even the angel rejoice in his coming?

Why would God, the Creator of all things choose such a lowly estate into which to come and reveal himself to us? Do we ponder what it means to us all?...What do these word about Jesus say to us regarding our God? Do we perceive the message of Jesus as a treasure to be held with our hearts?

The Advent-Christmas season speaks to us about the coming of our Lord and Savior. Let us, each and all, ponder the message of Jesus’ coming and let it speak to each and all of us not just now but throughout our lives.

Benediction: May we each and all treasure the words about our Lord Jesus’ coming and let us ponder them deep within our hearts, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen. 

 Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor

Topinabee Community Church

Topinabee Michigan

If You Would Like to Know More About or to Support the Ministry of Topinabee Community Church You Can go to Our Web Site.

https://topinabeechurch.org/index.html

You Can Follow Topinabee Community Church on Face Book 

https://www.facebook.com/Topinabeecommunitychurch

                       “If It's Not About Jesus, It's Not About Anything!”  

The Season of Advent: The Joy of Jesus’ Coming

 "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”, Lk:1:46a

Many in Israel in the days of John the Baptist and his ministry, as he prepared the way for the coming, that is the Advent, of Jesus, were living lives in which they felt little or no joy.

Many were feeling oppressed by the everyday living of life. For some, the society of that time was very disproportionate some were living in very comfortable surroundings while others struggled under the burden of everyday life .

John arose in this climate and proclaimed that one was about to come and release them and replace the oppression with comfort and joy. In this one to come the people could rejoice and fill their lives with joy.

One to Rejoice In

St. Luke records in his Gospel narrative about this one in whom they could have joy and rejoice in, it is found in the Song of Mary also called the Magnificat or the Canticle of Mary.

Mary sang the inspired words of Joy as she visited her elder cousin Elisabeth who was, like Mary, expecting a child.

“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.” Lk: 1:46-48

Mary proclaimed her joy in the God of her ancestors. Mary sang, that her God had not forgotten her or her people Israel. God was sending that one, of which Mary sang in her song “my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”. This is the one who would bring, joy not just to Israel but all people.

Even among the hardships of the day John assured the people who came to him to hear his message that they could rejoice and have reason to be joyful.

Good News

The Baptist, there upon that Jordan lifted up his voice boldly and without apology that there were good things to come to any and to all who would but freely receive it, that there is reason to be filled with joy and to rejoice.

The Prophet Isaiah through the Spirit looked head to the ministry and testimony of this one who was to come with the good news, the one who would bring Israel and all peoples the joy of salvation, this is one of whom Mary sang and John proclaimed to the people.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy

instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isa: 61:1-3

These prophetic words tell us of the purpose of the one who was to bring Israel and all humanity Good News from our Creator God, news which, causes us to be filled with great joy and rejoicing.

Our God has come to us in the Person of his Holy Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one of whom John declared to each and to all who came to him there upon the banks of that Jordan and the very one of whom Mary sang of in her the Magnificat, the one whom she carried within her own womb and would bear for all peoples in all ages.

This is the Good News in-which we can take joy and rejoice in, that our God has come to us even in the midst of hardships and struggles or in what we may feel is an empty mundane existence and to set us free to live an all-new life, that our God, has removed any and all things which could hinder our relationship with him and prevent us from knowing him and has brought salvation in which we may be clothed and live rebuilt joyful lives.

He has come so that we might walk in his divine favor here and now upon the Earth and on into eternity; as the Prophet declared of our Lord Jesus.

“They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated;

they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God.

You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace

you will rejoice in your inheritance.

And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours” Isa: 61:4-7

These prophetic words are not just for, Israel or nations in the years to come, but they speak of the salvation work of Jesus here and now in the lives of any and all who will but freely receive it. Lives rebuilt and given purpose in the service of God as we go through life, giving, even what we might think of as the most ordinary of life’s moments a scared meaning.

This means, that through Jesus, God has brought salvation into all parts of our lives making each day a living sacrament to God. There is no longer a distinction between sacred and the secular in the way we might normally think of it. All of our life is made Holy in Jesus having been redeemed by his very self.

Rejoice Always

St. Paul writing to Christians in all ages tells us that we are to rejoice always at all times and in all circumstances.

“Rejoice always”,1Thess:5:16

 The Apostle again, reaffirms that believers are all people who have reason to be filled with Joy.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philp: 4:4

This rejoicing is to give expression to the Joy of   the Holy Spirit who works in our lives to speak to us about Jesus and to continually tells to be filled with Joy for Jesus has come. Jesus is the one of whom Mary sang and John proclaimed. Gal: 5:22

This is the Good News in which we can rejoice in during this Advent Season and beyond.

Rejoice.

Benediction: May we each and all be filled with the joy of the Lord because Jesus is come, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.

Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor

Topinabee Community Church

Topinabee Michigan

https://topinabeechurch.org/index.html

You Can Follow Topinabee Community Church on Face Book 

https://www.facebook.com/Topinabeecommunitychurch

                       “If It's Not About Jesus, It's Not About Anything!”