December 14. Weeks 48 and 49. God himself is with us, Emmanuel.

December 14.  Weeks 48 and 49.

Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews.

Whew!  We have covered A LOT of territory in the last 2 weeks.  These letters from Paul are packed full of information.  (and of course, Hebrews is different from the others)

It was helpful for me to remember that Paul wrote many of these letters from prison.  He was often in danger and conflicts, and it sounds like he was full of urgency to finish telling as many people as possible about the message of Jesus while he could. 

The letter to the Philippians is probably my favorite of Paul’s because the key word is JOY.  Not happiness, but a settled peace in the midst of problems swirling around you.  We have all been there. 

A favorite scripture from Philippians that is good during this Christmas season is 2: 6-11, which is called the “kenosis” (Greek for “emptying”).   This is a beautiful passage that reveals the mystery of God becoming human during the incarnation.  We can never fully understand or explain it but we simply embrace it as truth.  Once we embrace it, God gives us the ability to fully believe it.  He confirms it to us. 

   Jesus, Who, being in very nature God,

    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

HOW SILENTLY, HOW SILENTLY 

THE WONDROUS GIFT IS GIVEN...

Colossians 1:27,27 reveals the Mystery: Christ in us.  Again, hard to explain.  You just embrace it.

God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

SO GOD IMPARTS TO HUMAN HEARTS THE BLESSINGS OF HIS HEAVEN...

Most of Paul’s letters end with a blessing.  I found a beautiful truth in I Thessalonians 5:23:

“May God himself, the God of peace sanctify you through and through.”  WOW, God Himself….   HIMSELF.  I’ll post that on my mirror today and ponder it.  God.  HIMSELF.  Not some deity that is far removed from us, but God himself.  … the God of peace…  In this world of trouble and problems, peace is not removal from conflict, but calm in the midst of the storm because we have confidence in Him , no matter what. 

Another mystery about the incarnation was revealed was in I Timothy 3:16. 

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
NO EAR MAY HEAR HIS COMING, BUT IN THIS WORLD OF SIN...

Did you notice how many times the word “rest” was used in Hebrews 4? 

Hebrews 12: 28, 29. 

 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,  for our “God is a consuming fire.”
WHERE MEEK SOULS WILL RECEIVE HIM, STILL, 

So, during this Advent season, we choose to step out of the anxiety of consumerism that is swirling all around us and ponder the mystery of the incarnation; God with us.  Emmanuel.  God himself.  The God of peace.  Emmanuel.  God. With us.  Christ in us.  Emmanuel.  
THE DEAR CHRIST ENTERS IN.  

DEEP CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS TO YOU,
KEEP READING!
Audrey