No Defense

In my last post, I referenced the story of the birth of the Lamb of God, with the nursery rhyme. Of course, we know that there is no comparison of the two. But for some reason, that rhyme had come to my mind that day, and it wasn't just about what I wrote about that day. I had some other thoughts about it as well.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as sheep brought before her is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Isaiah 53:7.

If you know anything about lambs and sheep, they are pretty dumb animals so I am told. I never had much experience with them myself, although we did have a couple 4-H sheep one year that our son's took care of. But we had a neighbor that had sheep and he told us that if a wolf finds sheep in a field, it will attack them and the sheep don't even know to run away. They will let the wolf kill them.

When Jesus was led away by the Roman Soldiers, he did not fight back. He knew what they had come to do, and he let them take him and finally nail him to the cross without defending himself.

If ever there was a Christmas gift for humanity, this would be it. Jesus didn't have a lawyer. He didn't defend himself. He laid down his life for you and me.

Listening to a preacher on tv last evening, he said that Jesus, born in a barn with only the dirty smelly animals there as witnesses, he was glad that that baby made it possible for all these years later, for him to be where he is today. ( not an exact quote}

God gave us a gift, Jesus carried out his father's will, and because of the love of both, we can be thankful that we are where we are today.

Because you know what? Not everyone can say that. How sad that many reject the gift that God has given us. I don't know about you, but I am thankful that the baby Jesus was born in that barn, with the dirty smelly animals as witness, so that all these thousands of years later, I am where I am. What a gift is that?

Tips for working towards a stress free Christmas Season. (hopefully)

1. First and foremost in our attempts to be stress free at this time of year, is to get up every morning before others get up, and meet with God. Thank him for what he has done for you, and for what he is going to do for you. Tell him what you need and pray for others. And ask him to give you a good day and get you through the stress of whatever it might be bringing that day. If you give God the first part of your day, he will bless you because he really does want to have a relationship with you.

2. Have you ever had a good belly laugh? Sometimes those comes at a time that we are going through a very stressful situation. I have found when it happens, it is hard to stop laughing. Stress can build up so much that it needs to be released and what a great way to let it go. 

So my suggestion is that no matter what you are going through, find something funny to laugh at each day. Even if you have to keep a book of jokes to lay by your bedside to get that laugh at the end of the day. And when you find something funny, be sure to share it with someone else. Try it and it will be another way to ward off the feelings that can mount up during this time.

December 5, 2019 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Thanks for coming by today Friends. Have a wonderful evening and God's blessing on you and yours!