Archive for the ‘shepherds’ Category

      The extraordinary star that appeared at the birth of Jesus, and the true miracle of Christmas are topics today. A “Yahoo Answers” writer using the ID “John” (Level 1 with 91 points, a member since December 19, 2012) posted the following:

About start and christ birth?

I am a beliver in chirst and i am just stucked out at the concept of star in birth of christ… My question is how can star show the way to wise men about jesus birth??? As a chrstian i know it to my heart, but when ppl ask reagrding this theriotically i cannot do so….so help me out the facts how stars can show a man a way to certain place.Sorry if my question is worng inthe way i look…thank you..all glory to jesus 🙂

THE BATTLE AXE: The True Miracle (12/23/2012)—Christmas is celebrated as a time of social healing. Family gatherings provide unique opportunities for exchange, intimacy and sharing of emotional and psychological gifts that include affection, attention, companionship, forgiveness, reconciliation, and respect. To their parents, their caretakers, and teachers children still embody and symbolize angels, freedom, the future, goodness, happiness, innocence, and youth. For this reason, the true miracle of Christmas often seems exclusively intended for children. Exaggerations and misreading of Scripture can result in devastating idolatry and inordinate promotion of children (e.g., Psalm 127: 3 and James 1: 27, KJV). Given that children respond as flexible and teachable even when complex doctrines are introduced, the message of new life through Christ often is more quickly and correctly embraced by children. Our duty to love as sons and daughters of GOD is discharged only in part through children, family, friends and parents (Luke 6: 20-38, KJV). There also must be acceptance and commitment to GOD and Christ, the Holy Spirit, the host of heaven, with believers (and nonbelievers) everywhere. Celebrating a finite miracle of birth and the wonder of new life is not to be confused with divine grace and the eternal miracle of Christmas—new relationship to GOD for all mankind through Jesus Christ (Luke 2: 11-14 and John 1: 1-14, KJV).


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The True Miracle (12/23/2012); Origins (01/20/2011); The Wise Men? (12/21/2010); Melchizedek? (12/22/2010); Things? (11/13/2010); Mealtime Grace (11/14/2010)

      Don’t be confused or distracted by the complexity and sophistication of today’s technology (fiber optics, GPS, satellite tracking, etc.). True, it often seems impossible to do without the man-made devices that are so impressive now, that did not exist then. However, the birth of Jesus was through an operation of Almighty GOD that embraced and employed all the various levels of existence. The birth of Jesus demonstrated divine authority over all Creation. Included were angelic beings, domestic animals and human beings; the emotions, motives, and thoughts of the living as well as clouds, darkness, light, wind, the sun, moon and stars.

      Correctly understood, GOD is a spirit, and cannot be described as having dimensions (e.g., depth, height, weight, width), form, human characteristics, shape and physical limits. The impossible appearance of GOD in human form as a baby must be accepted and understood as something brought to pass by a sovereign Person having absolute power, and unimpeachable righteousness. Faith, an aspect of the full makeup of GOD, must reside within those who believe, and operate upon and through human awareness before one may exist as a believer in sacred truth from GOD. Faith is divine substance and is inseparable from such other content as holiness, humility, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

      Initially, those we now call “wise men” (this may include the shepherds) were motivated like Moses, who took a break from his work to see a bush that burned without giving off ashes, or smoke (Exodus 3: 1-3, KJV). Simple curiosity, and other human reactions such as challenge, fear, pride and surprise were probably involved at the start. Continuous study of astronomy, current events and the holy writings influenced their thinking. As they gradually yielded to conviction, they acquired necessary levels of confidence, persistence and trust through increasing faith, just as we, today, must do.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, in those times evil—catastrophe, sudden and widespread change, upheaval)—was associated with the birth of conquering monarchs (see Isaiah 45: 7, KJV). Natural events such as comets, earthquakes, floods and meteor showers were carefully examined as being prophetic signs, and evidences that GOD, in fact, was active, fulfilling things proclaimed and promised through his word.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Washington, DC