Merry Christmas to All!

Luke 10:38-42 “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she helps me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her”.

We are approaching one of the most hectic times of the year. “Christmas”. The commercialization doesn't really bother me too much because whether they like to admit it or not, every light that is lit every bell that rings and every ribbon that is tied onto a package reminds me and the world that Jesus was born. But I want to take you to a simpler time when the confusion and stress of Christmas was non-existent.

Let’s imagine for a few moments one of the important things at Christmas and one that will leave us with a sense and satisfaction that will bring joy to us and our families all year long. Let’s focus on a “Mary Christmas”. That's right, a “M-A-R-Y Christmas”. The Mary I am talking about is found in the bible. Let’s look at three ways we all can have a “Mary Christmas”. It is not going to be easy. Something good is seldom easy to imagine especially when there is so much that is driving us in a different direction. People, family, friends and the world all try to have a "Merry" X-mas but that is not what we need.

We can have a 'Mary' Christmas - By sitting at Jesus' feet - Mary's position in this passage indicates two important aspects of how we should spend the Christmas season.

In His Presence - Hearing His Word - In and Out of church

“There was once a girl, or as so the story goes, who though blind loved the Word of God. Despite her blindness she learned to read by touch and spent endless hours engrossed in the Bible. One day she was badly burned in her hands and when the bandages were removed, she no longer had the sensitivity of touch enough to distinguish the characters. Devastated she wept over her loss until she heard about another blind girl who did not have a Bible. On her way over to give her precious book to the girl, with a tear in her eye, she opened it one last time and with great tenderness kissed the pages that she had loved so much. To her surprise, she carefully read "The Gospel according to St. Mark".

I have found that when I read with the mind only, I get nothing compared with what I receive when I put my heart up against it. I can feel the throbbing of the heart of the infinite God. Have you learned it.? I think this is what Mary felt that day and disciples after his resurrection when they said, "... did our heart not burn within us when he spoke with us ..."

Where will you be spending your time this holiday season? At the feet of Jesus? Hearing His word preached and read?

You can have a 'Mary' Christmas - By sitting at Jesus' feet - By settling at Jesus' feet.

John 11:19-35 - How we come to Jesus - compares & contrasts Martha and Mary
Martha was dealing with the temporal and unless I misjudge her response it was in doubtful, accusatory way based on the response of Jesus.

Though the sisters of Lazarus may have had sufficient to make it on their own, often it was the support of family and friends that would sustain the household.

Like many people who try to find comfort from the ache of the flesh in someone or somebody instead of the God of comfort, Martha too was seeking comfort in the temporal.

People lay blame on individuals and circumstances, when the real explanation of their fault-finding and abusive speech is a morally diseased inward condition! God has a large family who are well, but He has some children who are unwell. They think others are wrong when the trouble is with their own aching tooth.

What we say and how we say it - compares & contrasts Martha and Mary

Mary came to Jesus and says the exact same thing to Jesus but this time a different approach is made and she falls at Jesus' feet. Hers was recognition of the power of Jesus not only to have healed her brother but comfort her in her grief. We are touched here with the compassion of Jesus for the grief of Mary and Martha.

Where will the consolation and where can our troubles, sorrows and grief be laid at this time of the year? Some of us will spend Christmas without a loved one? Where will you go to find the peace of Christmas? We can settle our souls at Jesus' feet.
By sitting at Jesus' feet - By settling at Jesus' feet - By surrendering at Jesus' feet.

John 12:1-8 Spikenard was an imported fragrant liquid ointment that comes from the aromatic root and stem of the Nardostachys plant grown in the Himalayan Mountains. It was imported from India in carefully sealed alabaster jars to preserve the fragrance from dissipating. Reserved for only very special guests for the wealthy, one of more modest means would save a lifetime to buy a pound of the ointment and then only use it at their burial. It could cost anywhere from one month to one year's salary. 300 pence was a year’s salary at that time. It is not clear if the Nard was reserved for future support or if in extreme appreciation for Jesus raising Lazarus Mary chose such an expensive and precious gift. We do know that Mary understood that Jesus was going to die for us and that she wanted to express her love for him before it was too late to do so. Mary learned two things from her experience with Jesus in the time she knew him.

Time is never wasted if spent with Jesus - No gift has too great a price for God.

You can have a 'Mary' Christmas - By sitting at Jesus' feet - By settling at Jesus' feet - By surrendering at Jesus' feet

Where will you be spending your time this holiday season? At the feet of Jesus? Hearing His word preached and read?

Where will the consolation and where can our troubles, sorrows and grief be laid at this time of the year? Some of us will spend our first Christmas without a loved one? Where will you go to find the peace of Christmas? We can settle our souls at Jesus' feet.

What gift will you surrender to Jesus on His birthday? Will it be time, one of the most precious gifts we have to give? Is any gift really to large for Jesus?
Years ago a secular poem was written about the coming of Santa Claus that I would like to share with you. Consider it carefully as we look to each having Mary Christmas. It is not about the fabricated coming of a generous fat man in a red suit but the Son of God who could come back before we celebrate His birth another time.

Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were laid on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be The Day!
The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "It's not here" my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and this sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all.

My Prayer: Let's sit a Jesus' feet and bask in His presence as we celebrate this Christmas with Him. He is the reason for the season! Merry Christmas to all!