Christmas 2012

A Gift to Keep

“He is the image of the invisible God…” (Colossians 1:15, NET). The gifts rise like a multi-colored box-mountain under our Christmas tree—colorfully swaddled in red, green, and silver. I survey the geometric mound, scrutinizing the little tags that say “Reg,” or “Daddy,” or “Budbo” (all me). I’m mildly interested in the other packages, but the …

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God

“…our God and Savior, Jesus Christ…” (2 Peter 1:1, NASB). The one name or title of Jesus that eclipses all others is the transcendent monosyllable—GOD. Jesus is God. This is the crux of Christmas and Christianity. Undiminished deity was joined forever with unfallen humanity. As someone has profoundly said, “He who made man was made …

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Alpha and Omega

“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end’” (Revelation 22:13, ESV). “Wooden Block Letters—and the Babe in Bethlehem” As a child you may have played with wooden blocks on which were carved the letters of the alphabet. You may have even tried, perhaps unsuccessfully, to spell …

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A Secret Name

“…He has a name written that no one knows except himself” (Revelation 19:12, NET). We pondered, thought, scratched our heads, and pondered some more. My wife and I deliberated long and hard about what we would name our newly adopted children. As Ethiopian children adopted into an American family, these kids needed names that would …

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Lord of Peace

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!” (2 Thessalonians 3:16, NASB). As the apostle Paul ends his second letter to the Thessalonian church, he prays they would have peace in the midst of ALL their circumstances. So often, we think of peace …

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The Nazarene

“Peter said, ‘I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, stand up and walk’” (Acts 3:6, NIV). Only in Acts 3:6 and 4:10 do we find this threefold name of our Lord. This amazing combination of names brings to bear on …

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The Way

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me’” (John 14:6, NASB). The Bible as a whole is a set of directives pointing the way to God—and, in a sense, the way back to the Garden of Eden where our first …

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Gift

“…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28, NIV). You know, you could get a “yurt” this Christmas for the one who has everything. It’s a Mongol tent, outfitted with one-of-a-kind designer down-filled pillows—and even a crystal chandelier. …

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Son of God

“When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’” (Mark 15:39, NASB). Darkness at midday, a shattering earthquake, uncanny words from the Man on the middle cross audibly committing His life to His Father—“They had it …

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Immanuel

“‘…AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,’ which translated means, “‘GOD WITH US’” (Matthew 1:23, NASB). Immanuel—God with us! This thought is incomprehensible. Yet it has always been God’s desire to dwell with humans. After Adam and Eve sinned, the first words of God to Adam were, “Where are you?” Instance after instance, too many …

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Son of Man

“‘…There before me was one like a son of man…’” (Daniel 7:13, NIV). At Jesus’ birth, something didn’t feel right. The prophet Daniel had raised Israel’s expectations, but this whole God-coming-to-earth thing didn’t seem to be all it was cracked up to be. Sure, there were angels, a few worshipping astrologers, gifts, a star, and …

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Prince of Peace

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, NIV). Have you been singing “peace on earth, good will to men” but your life is anything but? …

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The Cornerstone

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Psalm 118:22, NIV). Perhaps the first Scripture passage that comes to mind in thinking about prophecies concerning the coming Messiah is the Suffering Servant passage in Isaiah 53. However, other key texts also portray Jesus’ rejection by the nation of Israel. That Jesus would divide Israel’s …

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The Good Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1, NASB). Recently, I relived an unforgettable childhood memory while reflecting on Phillip Keller’s book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. Keller describes “shall not want” as being completely satisfied with the Lord’s management of my life. One wintry night my grandfather and I started …

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His Name Is Beauty

“…But the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary” (Psalm 96:5–6, NASB). Through the incarnation of Christ, we see the pinnacle of the beauty of God. Augustine once said, “In the Trinity is the highest source of all things, and perfect beauty, and blessed delight.” …

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Jesus

“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sin” (Matthew 1:21, NASB). While standing in line at Cracker Barrel, a card stand caught my eye. The sign at the top read: “What Does Your Name Mean?” Curiosity sparked, and I spun the cylinder …

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