Tag: jesus

Suddenly….

Christmas 2025: to the shepherds first.

The ‘Sirocco’ hot winds swooping in from the Southeast the day before yesterday, had waned and died down, and to the day following, gave rise to a brilliant sun. Its beams filtering through the remaining sand dust that still hung in the air. It had been hot and the walls of the houses in the little town of Bethlehem baked warm to the touch. As evening came and twilight fell, a soft breeze from the coast seemed like a breath of fresh air for man and beast alike.

The evening shadows saw people coming out of their homes and with busyness in the receding light attend to the tasks that they had put-off because of the heat. Look, a group of shepherds were making their way to the fields of Ephrata coming to take the night shift guarding the sheep. Their lunch packs strapped to their belts along with the staff and rod. Just another night of watching the sheep and making sure they were fed and bedded down for comfort and safety from prowling beasts of the night.

After securing their flocks, the shepherds gathered to discuss their day and the big events of their time. Many travellers had come to Bethlehem in the last week or so because the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, had issued a decree to conduct a census for determining the taxing of each citizen, after all somebody had to pay for the well-being of the magnificent Roman Empire and the protection it granted to all who lived within their conquered borders. Bethlehem too was part of this vast Empire and it must do its share.

So sitting together, they grumbled about the heavy hand of their new masters and the loss of independence. Where was the pride of Judea? The lion of the Kingdom of David? Had God forgotten his promises? Did He forget about his word conveyed to them through the prophet, that they will inherit the land? Forever? and enjoy each their own possession in peace and with justice? Oh, how long ago was it spoken with Godly pride by their local hero, the prophet Micah from Moresheth in Judea, a commoner among his people, these words: “God shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; and they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid. But look at you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”

As they were so seated and talked together, suddenly, an angel appeared through the filtering darkness, bright glorious light, right before them, shocking! They were afraid. But the angel said clearly: “Don’t be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy, news that will affect all people everywhere. Today, in the city of David, a Liberator has been born for you! He is the promised Anointed One, the Supreme Authority! You will know you have found Him when you see a baby, wrapped in a blanket, lying in a feeding trough.”  At that moment, the first heavenly messenger was joined by thousands of other messengers—a vast heavenly choir. They praised God in song, a mighty chorus: “To the highest heights of the universe, glory to God! And on earth, peace among all people who bring pleasure to God!”

Then…………….all disappeared, but the shepherds looked at each other, speaking all at once: buzzing with conversation.

Did you see that! Wow! Let’s rush down to Bethlehem right now! Let’s see what’s happening! Let’s experience what the angel has told us about! Come on!

 So without a further thought, they ran into town, and after much seeking eventually found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the feeding trough.

Now having found this lowly place after being turned away by the local inn, Mary and Joseph noticed the shepherds stepping through the doorway, welcomed them and showed their little baby boy wrapped in a blanket of swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. This… is… Jesus, they said.

The shepherds came closer and saw the baby, told what they had seen and heard, a joy filled their hearts. “Peace on earth, the angel had said to all who God is pleased with.” A special heavenly message. Mary looking at Joseph, took note and pondered all that was happening, treasuring the memory of each moment deep in her heart. Is this not, what the angel had told her: “Listen, you are going to become pregnant. You will have a son, and you must name Him ‘Savior,’ Jesus.  He will become the greatest among men and will be known as the Son of the Highest God. God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David, and He will reign over the covenant family of Jacob forever.”

Then the shepherds left and returned to their flocks, praising God for what they had seen and heard, telling all who would listen to the wonderful events, how it all had unfolded just as the heavenly messenger had predicted. A glorious experience with promise, not soon to be forgotten.

As the prophet Isaiah had said: “Hope of all hopes, dream of our dreams, a child is born, sweet-breathed; a son is given to us: a living gift. And even now, with tiny features and dewy hair, He is great. The power of leadership, and the weight of authority, will rest on His shoulders. His name? His name we’ll know in many ways— He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Dear Father everlasting, ever-present never-failing, Master of Wholeness, Prince of Peace.”

Remember all these events occurred SUDDENLY………. and His return will again happen suddenly!

May this Prince of Peace be your champion and Saviour, also this Christmas 2025.

Sing the Hymn:

Angels, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth:

Shepherds, in the fields abiding, Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant light:

Though an infant now we view him, He shall fill his Father's throne,
Gather all the nations to him; Every knee shall then bow down:

All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising, To th'eternal Three in One:

Refrain: 2x - Come and worship, Come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Note: Bible texts taken from the translation: ‘The Voice’ – The hymn: ‘Angels from the Realms of Glory’, taken from an old French hymn, was composed by James Montgomery 1816-1819.

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JS December 1, 2025

Easter MMXXV

‘The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!”’ they yelled at him. – Gospel of Mark Chapter 15 verse 29 – Tr. NLT

‘Look around, you who pass by and go about your business. Is there any sorrow as great as mine? Any pain as great as that which has been forced on me?’ Book of Lamentation Chapter 1 verse 12 – Tr. The Voice

What a difference Easter time brings to the community market for the awareness of the celebration of Easter. What a difference between the commercialization of the Christmas story (baby in the manger & angels, Christmas Carols) compared to the almost no whisper in dead silence of the Easter story in the public square. Instead we get the Easter bunny with his coloured eggs.

For some time now we have seen the statistics of Christian religious beliefs declining in a steady and rapid manner. Just over 50% of Canadians identify themselves as Christians and one third of Canadian have no religious identification at all. Immigration has led to the increase of other non-Christian religions and some statistics quote those amount to 16% of Ontarians. (of which 6% are Muslim and 4% Hindus) It also states that there are now about 100 religious beliefs in Canada.

Are we losing the foundations of our Christian culture, is there anything left to salvage from the decline and decay of this heritage? Are we ‘the Christians’ the cause for this/our decline in that we are doubting the truth of the Christian Gospel message? Are our now daily practices still rooted in the essentials of the Gospel Message?

A recent book ‘Blessed are the Undone’ tells the story of Christians who are frustrated, have doubted or moved on from their faith roots because of disappointments, neglects and betrayals in the Christian community, organizations and leaderships. We have seen the rapid rise of other voices (through social media) and public celebrations (non-Christian) in our communities where we live, and those together with a mass of other cultural tunings and ideas that for a long time were considered strange, immoral and even illegal. Add to that the prominence of individual privilege as opposed to community well-being, cohesion and personal life style indulgences. All these, have led to the disintegration of many cultural truths and practices away from the strict modes of historic accepted morals and rules. The technological and economical possibilities both in medical, structural and knowledge accesses have opened up new ways of looking and doing what is personally important. Past history is condemned as shifted and bad even though out of some of the historic ashes we do find gold and saved preciousness. But yes to be woke is in, on all things past.

Christianity has become ‘past expiry date’ and old fashioned. The gospel message (Jesus saves) is ignored and shunned by main stream at our own peril. Look at the destruction, disputes, economic decay, elitism, cruel malicious wars and fake news and media, we are experiencing and when people (human-destitution) concern is raised or considered or mentioned we are called out of step because right politics is now King. Leaders with largess supporters and the ‘right’ personalities are leading the governing pack. Wealthy individuals are setting the pace. Others, including governments who took a ‘let George do it’ attitudes are now realizing a ‘home coming’ to heavier complex considerations (catch-ups) of neglected responsibilities. Whose side are/were you on? Do we know how even, as a country, to stand on our own?

There are however occasional bright spots of people coming to their senses (as in the story of the ‘Prodigal Son’ – Gospel of Luke chapter 15). The author Tom Holland in his book ‘Dominion’ (how the Christian revolution remade the world) speaks about the foundational heritage of the Christian faith that changed the Roman culture of ‘the strong wins every-time’ to a servant oriented society crystalized by Bishop Martin of Tours (331) when he divides and shares his cloak with a homeless person on entering the city gate of Amiens, France. Also among others, emphasizing again the standard in Christian life and practices was Francis of Assisi (1181) and the late Mother Teresa who were motivated by ‘serving the least of us’, a Gospel message that is still practiced in many cities and places today. (think City Missions, foodbanks, hospitality, medical clinics, meals for the hungry, clothing centers etc)

William Kurelek, the Canadian Ukrainian painter whose art work hangs in the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa and various other galleries, depicted the public neglect of the Christian message by painting a picture of Jesus standing on the front steps of the old Toronto city hall calling out to the masses traveling by on the sidewalk and the roads (Queen Street) of Toronto. They are in a hurry, not looking up or giving any attention to Jesus’ calls or even each other. And what do you think is His message: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. For I am gentle and humble in heart. Take off those heavy ‘backpacks’ of care and use mine. For my ‘backpack’ is easy and its burden is light! and I will give you rest.’ Gospel of Matthew chapter 11.

So this Easter remember the costly price He paid and the miracle of His submission to the plans of the Father gave new and resurrected life and eternal promises to all as we put our trust in Him. His death is for the forgiveness of all our sins and missteps. Take his words and live them. ‘Take this bread‘ and remember that His body was broken and His blood was shed for all who believe His message. Peace be with you!

Song: Via Dolorosa

JS April 9, 2025

Feature photo: Royal Botanical Gardens