Author: Kristi Wilson

Posted on

God’s Good Will

It’s important when we read the Bible that we let what we are reading really penetrate our thoughts. Some of the stories we have heard for years and sad to say but after a while they fail to impact us – just one more time to hear it, one more time out of habit but without meaning.

As I told you yesterday, this year I took a new look at the story of Jesus’ birth from Luke 2. I prayed that the impact I received from Luke’s recording of the events would take on new life and meaning. I have not been disappointed.

“Mary was engaged to Joseph and traveled with him to Bethlehem. She was soon going to have a baby, 6 and while they were there, 7 she gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep.” Luke 2:5-8 CEV

Many Christmas cards, movies and books show Mary & Joseph arriving at night. Knocking on the innkeeper’s door and being turned away because there was no room. That may be the way it happened but when I read the verses above, I get a different perspective.

The shepherds had the angels appear to them at night that is true, but by that time Mary had already given birth to Jesus. So, they must have arrived in Bethlehem earlier in the day or even the night before. They had time to “settle in” when the pains of labor started. Joseph had to help Mary and they prepared the stable as best they could for the inevitable.

The birth of God’s Son.

Since Bethlehem was crowded and the inn was full, those staying there would have needed to tend to their animals. Did they come to the stable, hear the commotion, feed their animals and quickly leave? Did anyone ask if they needed help? Although there were no birthing facilities, I’m sure it was not common to give birth in a stable.

Did Joseph have anyone to help him care for Mary following the birth? Did the Father send an angel, disguised as a midwife, to assist them? And then how much time did Mary have to rest and suckle her newborn before the shepherds arrived?

Yesterday, I asked Everyone, Who’s Everyone. This morning I got a little more insight into that as well. The angels didn’t give the shepherds a street location – they had to search for Him, and they found Him, laying in a manger. The everyone could have been the people the shepherds spoke to, asking if anyone knew where there was a new baby who had been born in a stable. Yes, possibly that was who the everyone was.

Life’s events were not turning out as Mary had planned but in all of it, she trusted the Lord.

“Nothing is impossible for God!” 38 Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.” Luke 1:37-38 CEV

What is it that isn’t going according to your plans this year? Let me assure you that whatever detours life has been taking you on, trusting God with the circumstances will bring a course correction.

He is faithful and His plans are always for our ultimate good!

Posted on

Everyone? Who’s Everyone?

Each morning I read through the account of Christ’s birth in Luke 2 but there’s a phrase that has only started to impact my thinking the last couple of weeks.

“Everyone listened and was surprised.” Luke 2:18 CEV

Everyone! Who’s everyone?

The verses right before this have the shepherds running through the streets to find the baby they had been told about. The verse immediately following it tell us that Mary meditated on everything that the shepherds told her.

But who is the everyone?

“ So they went running and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the feeding box. 17 When they saw the baby, they told what the angels said about this child. 18 Everyone was surprised when they heard what the shepherds told them. 19 Mary continued to think about these things, trying to understand them.” Luke 2:16-19 ERV

The “everyone” was obviously more than just Mary and Joseph. One translation says the shepherds told everyone they saw about what the angels said. This isn’t very religious but the image I get in my head is one from the old western movies when someone finds gold.

They run into the saloon, out of breath, ordered a whisky and holler out “I’ve found the mother lode”! And EVERYONE stops to listen. This message that the shepherds gave was of more value than finding the mother lode – the love of God is more precious than silver, more costly than gold!

But back to the everyone…were these people neighbors of Mary and Joseph? Did they finally accept that Mary hadn’t been a promiscuous teenager whose hormones had run wild? We’re they strangers who had come to Bethlehem and registered in the census, who had heard the stories of the coming Messiah and now were “lucky” enough to be in the right place at the right time?

I really don’t know but I do know the shepherds were thrilled with the message they had received and were eager to share it.

Let’s be like the shepherds – let’s share the message with our group of “everyone”.

Posted on

A Bit of Sweetness

A Christmas tradition that my Mom started was the making of peanut butter balls. It’s a favorite of everyone who visits. After all who doesn’t like chocolate, peanut butter, rice crispies and powdered sugar?

This year there has been no time to get into the kitchen to make them. My daughter has said she made some for us and we are looking forward to having a sweet treat!

I’m not sure how the tradition of having sweet cakes, cookies, breads and candy became a part of Christmas but I’m glad it did. Must have been a Scandanavian influence – my Mom had to have “just a little something sweet” after every meal, including breakfast.

Maybe you are a lot like her and don’t feel the day is complete without a little sweetness. I have just the thing for you.

“You have been my teacher, and I won’t reject your instructions. 103 Your teachings are sweeter than honey. 104They give me understanding and make me hate all lies.” Psalm 119:102-104 CEV

In one translation the word “teachings” is interchanged for the “word”. Your word is sweeter than honey…When Jesus came to earth John the apostle wrote:

“In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God. 2 From the very beginning the Word was with God…The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us.” John 1:1,2,14 CEV

Jesus is the living word of God. His influence makes our lives sweeter than we could possibly imagine.

If you’re like my Mom and need a “little something sweet” after each meal I invite you to indulge in God’s word. No need to count calories or carbs – the Word of God is nourishment to our souls.

We should all have a regular diet of this kind of sweetness!

Sorry for the late post – technical difficulties.

Posted on

The First Noel

The last few days have been very busy; picking up our new RV and getting boxes unpacked and finding places for everything. Long and tiring days.

When I woke up later this morning, I sat quietly in front of the electric fireplace waiting patiently for the coffee to finish brewing and a song began to waft through my head.

The First Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay;
In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

We hear this song sung every year and this morning I finally asked Google what the definition of Noel is:

“Noël is “Christmas” in French. Noel can also mean good news, coming from the French phrase bonnes nouvelles (“good news”). Noel can even mean birthday. With this meaning understood, no wonder we sing Noel at Christmas to celebrate the good news of the birth of Jesus!” from Christianity author Kristi Walker

But that day when Christ was born, there was no such thing as “Christmas”. All of Jewish society had been waiting for the birth of the Messiah. It had been predicted for hundreds of years. So, the words of the song are a little inaccurate as far as the French meaning but spot on when you consider it also means good news.

There was no greater news than “ But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. 11 This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.” Luke 2:11-12 CEV

If that was the “First Noel” will there be a final Noel? For those of us who have received Christ as Savior there will never be a final Noel. We read in the book of Revelation that heaven will be a place of constant praise and adoration.

“And so they stand before the throne of God and worship him in his temple day and night.
The one who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 They will never hunger
or thirst again, and they won’t be troubled by the sun or any scorching heat.

17 The Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to streams of life-giving water, and God will wipe all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:15-17 CEV

Heaven will be a place of worship, day and night. As long as there is God in heaven, and there always will be, we will be singing His praise and remembering the time of the “First Noel”.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel – born is the king of Israel!

Posted on

The Best Gift

When you look back at all your Christmases which one do you remember? Is it a childhood experience or maybe one as a newlywed or empty nester? When you gather with family and friends do you still talk about it as being the “best”?

How many years do you think Mary and Joseph recalled that special trip to Bethlehem? It wasn’t even called Christmas then. It started out as a trip to pay taxes and be registered in a census. But everything changed when Jesus was born.

“Everyone was surprised when they heard what the shepherds told them. 19 Mary continued to think about these things, trying to understand them.” Luke 2:18-19 CEV

The events of that trip gave Mary much to think about. And then following Jewish custom, Mary & Joseph took Jesus on His first outing to the temple. They were greeted by Simeon and Anna. These two old people had been waiting all their lives to see this baby! Now they could die rejoicing that they had seen the Messiah.

“Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what Simeon said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, ‘Many Jews will fall and many will rise because of this boy. He will be a sign from God…38 Anna was there when Joseph and Mary came to the Temple. She praised God and talked about Jesus to all those who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.” Luke 2:33-38 CEV

I’m sure Mary & Joseph were still recounting the events of Bethlehem when the wisemen arrived. All along the way folks probably asked where they were going, and they told the story of how they had seen the star and now they had to find the child. Their words were so persuasive and commanding that Herod was filled with fear and jealousy.

“They asked people, ‘Where is the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw it rise in the sky in the east and have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:2-3 CEV

They came to see this wonderful gift, this child who was born to be king.

We have been given a wonderful gift. This gift, relationship with the Father, should be one we talk about year after year, it’s the best gift ever.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son”

Merry Christmas Father!! Merry Christmas Jesus!! Merry Christmas Holy Spirit!! Thank you.

Posted on

Silent Night

Yesterday was a busy day – I’m sure it was for you too. We left our sticks and bricks house, loaded up our older camp trailer and headed to Mesa to drop it off and make arrangements for picking up our new toy hauler this morning.

We were blessed with each mile we traveled and spent the night at our oldest daughter’s and son-in-love. Their house is festive – the tree, the decorations, my old nativity and the outdoor inflatables. Yes, there’s Christmas all around and my heart is full.

As I sit here this morning, I have time to reflect. I’m remembering our Christmases in Idaho. We always had lots of snow. Out in our yard were three blue spruce trees and their boughs would be flocked with white, much like a Currier and Ives card. Each year the trees would grow, and we would purchase more strings of lights.

With the additional lights came a need to find additional outlets to handle the electricity. Not quite the Clark Griswold electricity demand but after the first two years it was more than the outlet on the front porch could handle.

Our living room southern exposure was all glass. I would sit on the sofa, in front of the wood burning stove, watch the flames, hear the crackling of the logs, see the lighted trees, sip my coffee and know my world was at peace. My soul embraced the silence!

That’s where my heart went this morning. After the hustle and bustle of the last weeks, I am wrapping myself in the peaceful silence and letting my heart worship the Lord for all His goodness, His love and His sacrifice.

Maybe you woke up this morning with your mind spinning and there doesn’t seem to be much peace. So much to do and so little time – still need to complete a dozen projects, a few more presents to buy, cards need to get in the mail, cookies and candies to make, family dinners, parties with friends, traveling to relatives and then of course, there are all the chores that come from daily life – what to do – what to do?!

Take time this morning, before you hurry off, to have one more cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, whatever it is you drink in the morning and tell the Lord all about your list of things to do. Let Him help you prioritize and then before you head out take time to thank Him for coming to earth and know this, He did it just for you.

“People might plan what they want to say, but it is the Lord who gives them the right words. 2 People think that whatever they do is right, but the Lord judges their reason for doing it. 3 Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.” Proverbs 16:1-3 ERV

When we trust our plans to the Lord, He takes the stress and replaces it with joy. He came that we might have life to the full and overflowing. Give Him your plans and let Him direct your steps.

Take time to sit with Him and enjoy the “silent night”.

Posted on

The Extra Guest

This morning we leave the house that has been our home for the past seven and a half years. It’s so exciting!

I’m remembering times when friends and acquaintances have just dropped in to say hello and have stayed to share an evening meal or a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll. Those are some of my favorite memories. We’ve always had an open door and been able to set an extra place at the table.

The last few weeks have been busy with purging and packing, details and delays but there’s still been time to welcome an extra guest.

Today we will pull out of the drive, wave good-bye to friends and neighbors. I have an idea of what my day will have in store but what about your day? Where are you going? Doing anything special? I always find that even the mundane is more fun when you have someone along to share it with.

We are never alone even in the dullest moments. We have a promise that God is with us. I think it’s important that we realize that Almighty God, who created the universe, is also God, our heavenly Father. He is always present. He never leaves us. He makes life worth living. He makes it exciting and fulfilling!

May I encourage you to make room for His presence in your daily routine? Make Him the extra guest at every meal, the unseen advisor for every decision, the one you go to for comfort and consolation.

“ and while they were there, 7 she gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:6-7 CEV

At His birth there was no room, He was just another baby, the citizens of Bethlehem didn’t realize that Immanuel was born in their city and so there was no room.

God loves being with His people. It’s only fitting that one of His names should mean God with us. That is His goal – relationship with us. He wants to walk and talk with us, friend to friend, Father to child.

No matter what we’re doing today, let’s take Him along. Moving to a new city, shopping, decorating, or lunch with a friend bring the extra guest. Having some down time, the two of you can sit quietly together after all He is Immanuel!

Posted on

No Christmas?

This year there are no Christmas decorations in our home. In fact, there is very little of anything in our home right now!

You see, tomorrow we move on to a new adventure! The house and most of the furnishings have been sold. The keepsakes have taken up residence in the homes of our children and grandchildren. What we have are many, many years of wonderful memories.

The Lord really put it on our hearts this summer to sell the house and move into a RV fulltime. Tomorrow is the day we start that adventure. Dave and I are excited – following the Lord does that – it brings you a sense of excitement and anticipation!

As I sit here looking around at where the Christmas tree has always been, where my Nativity sets have topped the furniture and the counter tops, my heart is flooded with the sights and sounds of Christmases past. The laughter, the music, the presence of family and friends.

I envision my Christmas tree. It is probably like yours; decorated with ornaments that have been collected over the years. Angel ornaments are my favorite. Each year as I hang different “angels” on the tree I remember fondly the friends that have given them to me. And as they are hung in a special place I pray for that dear friend or family member.

I was thinking this morning, if each ornament were a picture my tree would be filled with images of the ones I hold dear all year long. You know the Father has done that, He has filled His home with our pictures. He’s actually got them in the palm of His hand.

“But the Lord says, ‘Can a woman forget her baby? Can she forget the child who came from her body? Even if she can forget her children, I cannot forget you. 16 I drew a picture of you on my hand. You are always before my eyes…” Isaiah 49:15-16 ERV

He not only holds us in His heart but He also holds us in the palm of His hand!

Take time to cherish the memories and the love that we share, especially at Christmas, and if you feel prompted, buy an ornament to give to someone you hold dear. It will be a memory in the making.

Posted on

Road Trip

Each year about this time I begin contemplating what it must have been like for Mary to make the trip from Nazareth, her home, to Bethlehem.

This morning I searched Google maps to remind myself once again just how long of a trip it is. On the road, it’s only 95 miles; a little over two hours in a car but Mary didn’t have the luxury of automobile transportation. She walked part of the way and road on the donkey part of the trip. Google told me that walking the trip would take 26 hours.

26 hours of walking for a normal person but how long did it take for a woman in her last weeks of pregnancy. Even if she rode the donkey the entire way, they still couldn’t go any faster than Joseph could walk. I figure they really couldn’t have gone more than 5 hours a day so the trip would have probably taken 5-6 days. Think about that!

A few weeks back Dave and I were out on some dirt roads in our side-by-side when it just quit. We tried everything we could think of but still couldn’t get it started. There was only one thing to do – walk. It was a beautiful afternoon; we had on good shoes and also had a well-used dirt road to travel on (although it was rutted and rough). It took this healthy older couple over an hour to walk the 5 miles back to the main road. I can only imagine what it must have been like to be pregnant and doing the same trip.

Mary wasn’t traveling with a medical team or even a mid-wife. She, with Joseph her fiancé were on this trip together. I’m sure there were others on the same road, headed to the same destination since they had to report for the census but theirs was a different journey. And when they arrived, they couldn’t find a place to stay…

“So Joseph left Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and went to the town of Bethlehem in Judea. It was known as the town of David. Joseph went there because he was from the family of David. 5 Joseph registered with Mary because she was engaged to marry him. (She was now pregnant.) 6 While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have the baby. 7 She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped him up well and laid him in a box where cattle are fed. She put him there because the guest room was full.” Luke 2:4-7 ERV

Sometimes the road we are on seems rocky and rough. Conditions are not what we would like them to be – less than favorable. But when God designs the path, we can go forward knowing that He is with us and His plans for us are always good.

“ ‘I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.’ This message is from the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.'” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

When God takes you on a road trip, go, knowing that His plans are good!

Posted on

A Time for Change

Christmas time has always brought change – it certainly did for Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. The change of a star in the heavens brought the wisemen half way across the known world.

It brought change for Anna and Simeon, two elderly people, who had been serving in the Temple and were able to see their long-awaited Messiah. Change came to Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, who was the mother of John the baptizer. She knew her son would preach the good news that the Messiah had come.

“Joseph registered with Mary because she was engaged to marry him. (She was now pregnant.) 6 While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have the baby. 7 She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped him up well and laid him in a box where cattle are fed. She put him there because the guest room was full.” Luke 2:5-7 ERV

The time came and there was change.

We are also changed by Christmas. Yes, those of us who recognize Christ as our Savior celebrate His birth and His love. We desire to be more loving, more giving, more kind at Christmas.

We decorate differently. We sing special songs, watch theme movies, bake special cookies. All of these are things that change at Christmas. There’s a Christmas song that I heard many years ago and still enjoy, “One Night A Year”.

“One night a year we believe in peace on earth
One night a year we praise our Saviour’s birth
I wish every night the whole year through could be like Christmas Eve
When love’s pure light is shining everywhere, one night a year”

I like to think that we can live with Christmas in our hearts all year long. Jesus said He came for a very specific reason.

“‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has chosen me to tell good news to the poor. He sent me to tell prisoners that they are free and to tell the blind that they can see again. He sent me to free those who have been treated badly 19 and to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness.” Luke 4:18-19 ERV

The time has come for us to share the love that Jesus has for us with others. Christmas is a time for change!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress