1 Thought from Me

Our sense of how God is at work may not always correspond with what he’s actually doing. We might assume that if people are moved by a service, are touched by a song, or physically express their praise to the Lord through shouting, kneeling or bowing that God is at work in their heart. He might indeed be at work in their heart. But it could also be that they just love a certain song.

God might be at work in a deep way who gives you little visible evidence. Their face might indicate little change during the service but they’ve been deeply convicted of their sin or have become convinced they must obey God in faith in a hard decision.

The birth of the Messiah is a great reminder that we may not always understand God’s greatest works while he’s doing them. There were no signs in Bethlehem saying, “this year the Messiah will be born here!” God did make a big announcement to the shepherds, but there was no such announcement given to the people the next few buildings over in the middle of the night. The eternal Son became the Mary’s son, raised as the child of a carpenter in a tiny village.

This advent and Christmas season, let’s tell the story of our Messiah’s arrival faithful. We plant the seeds, and we’ll see in time which ones the Messiah who came in mystery will cause to grow. He alone knows what he’s doing.

2 Quotes

I.
When they [Mary and Joseph] arrived at Bethlehem, they were the most insignificant and despised. . . . No one noticed or was conscious of what God was doing in that stable. He lets the large houses and costly apartments remain empty, lets their inhabitants eat, drink, and be merry; but this comfort and treasure are hidden from them. O what a dark night this was for Bethlehem, that was not conscious of that glorious light! See how God shows that he utterly disregards what the world is, has, or desires; and furthermore, that the world shows how little it knows or notices what God is, has, and does. - Martin Luther (Source)

II.
He was created of a mother whom he created. He was carried by hands that he formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, he the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute. - St. Augustine (Source)

3 Hymns of Wonder

Three hymns that express wonder at the incarnation:

I.
What child is this who laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?…
Why lies he in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
What Child Is This?, W. Chatterton Dix

II.
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given.
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive Him still the dear Christ enters in.
O Little Town of Bethlehem, Phillips Brooks

III.
O wonder of wonders, which none can unfold:
The Ancient of Days is an hour or two old;
The Maker of all things is made of the earth,
Man is worshipped by angels, and God come to birth.
The Great God of Heaven is Come Down to Earth, Henry Bramley