Bonnie J Martin

joy

Still Advent

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The preparation isn’t over just because Christmas was yesterday.  The day we celebrate His birth isn’t the only day He is to be celebrated.  Advent is still expected.  But in the cycle of our annual traditions, we follow earth around the sun and begin the preparation of a new beginning, a new year.

We consider what it will hold as we also consider what is behind.  Recounting the times past, moments forever ago that cannot be reclaimed and wonder what the next ones will bring.  Deep contemplation between December 25 and January 1.  Resolutions formed?

But don’t lose sight of advent.  He came as a baby the first time.  His second coming will be different.

“I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14 (NASB)

After the serving of all the food and gifts, there is still serving to be done. As much as I want to hibernate, there are still preparations to be made. Not just preparations for the new year but preparations for my heart and mind to prepare for Him. Leaving space, making space to include Him. Cleaning up from yesterday in preparation for tomorrow.

Will you join me in making space? Will you join me in leaving what is behind and prepare in excited expectation for what lies ahead? Will you join me in continuing to celebrate advent?

Leap for Joy

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I have carried three babies. I remember over 30 years ago the first flutter of movement with my very first child. It was like a paint brush stroking the inside of my abdomen. A light swoosh of movement, that until you feel it, you don’t know it. Until you experience it, you can’t explain it. It grabs your attention.

As she grew inside me, I could begin to detect her head and her knees and her feet. Small knots protruding under my skin. She could kick. Her brothers could too. I loved to lay on my back or sit real still. My movement kept them rocked comfortably. But let me be still and they wiggled. Feet would always stretch to push against my taut skin.

I am thankful for those memories. I am thankful to have known their presence before I could see their faces. I knew them. They were part of me. They were attached to me. 

Elizabeth was a little older than I was during pregnancy. Well, she was probably much older. Blessed with one that had been promised. Blessed with one that would be a leader. Blessed with one that would be radical in his day. Blessed with one that was already aware of the presence of his Savior while in the womb.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? “For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” Luke 1:41-45 (NASB)

I can get so wrapped up in the two mothers here. Maybe because I am a mother. Maybe because here, two women, very different ages, very different life circumstances, both very pregnant, both carrying a man-child that would proclaim good news. One a forerunner to lead the way and prepare the fertile ground for planting seeds and sowing them ahead of the One that would come to finish the work.

I think John was getting ready in the womb. He was already doing push-ups and squats. And apparently, from what Elizabeth said, he was jumping. If you have ever been pregnant, you know what she means! But I have to think that was a little more significant than seeing baby feet imprints on a swollen belly. 

This boy leaped for joy. It was a holy moment. It filled his mother with the Holy Spirit. It caused her to cry out loudly. She had no way of knowing about Mary’s condition. Mary’s mom didn’t have a cell phone. And neither did Elizabeth. But Mary showed up unannounced. And when she did John went wild.

Joy. He was excited. He wanted to reach out and touch Jesus. Imagine a little tiny hand desperately wanting to reach his Savior through his mother’s skin. Jumping, leaping, hands raised high, praising the Messiah. A baby in the womb.

Does your joy look different than John’s? Maybe your joy is an inner peace that exudes throughout your chest and fills your senses with silent anticipation of all is well. Or maybe your joy is a smile across your face even when times are tough. Is it raising your hands in worship, no matter where you are or who you are with? 

Where are you recognizing your joy? Do you recognize it?

Are you so wrapped up in the wrapping paper and countless events of the season that you miss the joy of it? The season of expectation. The season of hope. The season of joy.

Take time to be aware. Recognize the presence of joy. Realize the source of joy. Worship the Messiah this season.

The Messenger

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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.” 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.” Luke 2:10-14 (NASB)

Break it down. This thing appearing to the shepherds caused them to be terribly frightened. Not just startled but scared. These rough people that kept company with sheep, sleeping outside, on the ground, well accustomed to predators lurking in the dark, were terribly frightened. Protectors of the unprotected, scared!

That is why the messenger had to tell them, “Hey, it’s okay. I am not here to harm you. Even though I am a fearful looking being, I just need to tell you something. And it is going to bring great joy!” Okay. Could the delivery have been a little more subtle? Maybe a little less fierce looking? Hearts were pounding.

Imagine hanging out in a field. Sheep settling in for the night. The shepherds counting sheep. Making sure none have gone astray. Heavy eyes. Wanting sleep. But fiercely protective over their flock. Its dark. Real dark.

Then all of a sudden there is a light unlike anything they have ever seen. Blinding. Do you run? Do you drop on the ground? Are you already on the ground and roll up in a ball, burying your head and eyes in your bed roll? Do you scream? Are the sheet scattered in all different directions? Or did they know what the shepherds didn’t? There’s a gift a few hills over.

Good news. Great joy. A Savior. Messiah. The Lord. A baby? In a manger? Like the feeding trough for animals? The Messiah, a baby, in a feeding trough?

How do you get your head around that?

Just when the shepherds are able to breathe again, more light. How can it get any brighter in the middle of the night? But it isn’t just the light, it is the praising of a multitude, in the middle of a field, in the middle of the night. A concert of heaven for the traveling band of shepherds. But it isn’t just for the shepherds. 

This concert celebrates the Messiah’s birth. This concert announces great joy. This concert is to celebrate the saving of the world. This message announcing freedom. Heralding in the redemption of all who seek Him.

Shepherds get around. They went to see the child. Amazed by everything they had witnessed, they couldn’t keep quiet. After seeing the baby in the manger, they had the privilege of sharing the good news. Raised eyebrows. Wondering minds. From that field in the middle of the night, ripples went out of the good news. Stories shared from town to town.

And we are still sharing it!