Luke 2

As mentioned in an earlier post, Luke 2 is probably the most famous Christmas story, even though it doesn't have the story about the wise men or the star.  In my mind it will always stand out because of the Charlie Brown Christmas Special.  God's blessings to all of you on your Christmas and New Year celebrations!

Motivated

Matthew Chapter Six has some examples of actions.  The actions, themselves, are not bad, but Jesus is concerned about the motivation behind the actions: giving to poor people, praying, fasting.  All of those are good spiritual practices.  God is not just concerned with the actions, though; God cares about the heart of a person.

The reason is that when you get past the action of giving to the poor, there might be some selfishness behind it.

Giving money to the Salvation Army at Christmas is a nice thing to do.  They help a lot of people, and they share the hope of Jesus when they also share necessities.  The question is, "Why are you giving to the Salvation Army?"  There are some good reasons:

• Help the poor people
• Show your family you are generous
• Be a witness to others
• Get a tax write off

Those might be good reasons, but they are not what God would be hoping for.  The action is good, the reason might be good, but the heart is rather selfish.  In reverse order:

• "I" want to pay less taxes
• "I" want to impress other people
• "I" want to impress my family
• "I" want to impress myself

There are probably different levels of being selfish.  The first level would consist of not giving money and wanting to keep it.  Another level would be giving the money for selfish reasons.  It's unfortunate, but often people are encouraged to give to charities for selfish reasons, even if they are well disguised.

God has blessed all of us with more things than we deserve.  It's easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to someone who has more, but God has given all this out of his love for us.  When that love sinks deep into us so that it covers every nook and cranny in our souls, there is nothing that would be able to stop us from responding in love.  That's giving with a cheerful heart.

This doesn't just apply to the the action listed in Matthew chapter six, but it could apply to any action. That is something to think about.  I would challenge you to think of even the most obscure things that you do.  Then think about your motivation.

I don't think that Jesus is trying to make people feel guilty or bad or anything like that in these chapters.  He's encouraging us.  He's saying, "Bask in my love!  If you're not feeling my love, then maybe you don't understand just how deep my love for you is.  Let it fill you."

Image from ABC New

Kneading Thoughts on Needing Bread

What do you really need?  There are probably more things that we think we need than we actually need.  According to our science class, we need food, air, water, and shelter.  Society would say you need a job, community, and transportation.  The stores before Christmas tell me that I need the latest gadgets and electronics, and I am often tempted to think they are right.

Some theorists would say that we need safety, a purpose, and our highest need is love.  That may true  God is love.  1 John 4:8.

Six out of the seven petitions in the Lord's prayer deal with concerns that might be considered more spiritual: holiness, God's will, God's kingdom, forgiveness, temptation, evil.  One of the encapsulates all the physical concerns we have.

Matthew 6:9-13

   ⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

   “‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
   as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from the evil one.’

This is a little different than the version we usually say in church or chapel.  One of the more significant differences is the request to keep us away from "the evil one" and not just "evil" in general. That makes me curious why it would be rendered differently.  That middle verse, 11, is about physical things and it calls those things 'daily bread.'  It would have reminded people during Jesus' day about the Israelites who were only supposed to collect enough food for one day and depend on God.  It would also have reminded them of a Proverb.

^{Proverbs 30:8-9
8} Keep falsehood and lies far from me; 
   give me neither poverty nor riches, 
   but give me only my daily bread. 
⁹ Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you 
   and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ 
Or I may become poor and steal, 
   and so dishonor the name of my God.

It also might remind us that in John 6, Jesus referred to himself as the Bread of Life, the food that people really need.

As far as 'things': not too much, not too little.  As far as 'God': the more the better.

"God, help us want You!"

Light

Light is a pretty cool thing.  From a science perspective, it is without rival.  Light and dark are not opposites, rather darkness is simply the absence of light.  If light and dark were to have a fight, light would win.  Every time.  Imagine an entire Edward Jones Dome full of darkness.  Light one candle in that dome and you could see it from anywhere in that enormous place.  Light makes itself present.  It takes effort to hide light.

Light is pretty is a pretty important part of the Christmas season.  Candle-light services are popular.  Advent wreaths progress with light until Christmas.  Christmas lights decorate many houses and businesses.  It's Biblical.  John wrote that about Jesus coming into the world at Christmas time and said, "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world."  Isaiah said "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light."  A little while later in Isaiah chapter 9 we have the Christmas verses, "For unto us a child is born."

Jesus is the light.  By him being present in our lives, we shine forth, as well.  This is why Jesus says,

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.


Jesus did not say that you might have the opportunity to be the light if you work really hard at it.  You are the light of the world, so let those lights shine for the right reasons.  Love shines bright.  Let it shine.

How do you shine?  By living differently than our dark world.  By looking to follow the heart of God and not just the letter of the law.  Jesus went on to say,

^{Matthew 5:43-44
43} “You Matthew 5:43-44have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

Love shines bright.  Let it shine.