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Christmas Selah

By Dr. Peggy Jo Wobbema

Christmas — what do you think about when this season draws near? Do you stare at your day planner and wonder how you will accomplish all the decorating, Christmas parties, and church activities? Are you thinking of how to handle all the stress of the season? Or perhaps you have shopped early this year (any jealous ladies out there?) and are making plans when to wrap those irresistible presents when nobody else is around.

Everywhere you go, Salvation Army bells ring, lights twinkle, shoppers express their frustration, and news stories tell of people wanting to take "Merry Christmas" away and replace it with "Happy Holidays." The news is full of stories about a declining economy, war, and about every other negative thing one could contemplate in this hurting world.

But, I want to invite you to turn off the television, pause from your decorating, shopping, and present wrapping, and take purposeful time to ponder the awesomeness of the Christmas season.

As you read this article, have your Bible before you and read the Scripture portion listed by the thought. Then take the time to Selah — stop and think about it for a while. It is recommended to take one section at a time and learn about the characters involved in the story and let the emotion of the story penetrate your heart. Ask questions as you read, such as, "What part does this person play in this unfolding drama? What is the setting of this part of the story? How is God revealing himself? What is the message from heaven? How is the character of the story responding? How would I respond? What do I think and feel as I read the story?" Journal your thoughts and emotions as the miracle of Christ’s birth unfolds in your heart and mind in a new way this season. Share your insights with your network of friends.

1. Zechariah and Elizabeth
   Read Luke 2:5-23, 1:57-79
   • Consider the timing of Zechariah’s service and the visitation and promise given by the angel Gabriel.
   • Imagine Zechariah coming home and trying to get Elizabeth to understand the appearance of Gabriel and the promise after all the years of being barren that she is going to be pregnant with the forerunner of the Messiah.
   • Elizabeth is pregnant and hides herself for five months with the healing of her reproach among the people close at hand. Selah



2. Joseph
   Read Matthew 1:18-25; 2:13,19,22
   • Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant and plans quietly to divorce her but an angel of the Lord visits him in the night.
   • The angel tells Joseph that the prophecy of the coming Messiah is fulfilled in Mary’s pregnancy.
   • Four different times a message from heaven comes in the night hours. Selah




3. Mary and Elizabeth
   Read Luke 1:26-38; 39-56; 2:1-7
   • Imagine the depth of emotion as Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel and informed she will give birth to the promised Messiah.
   • Think about the grace Mary felt as the angel shared the miracle of Elizabeth’s pregnancy to encourage her to believe all that was spoken to her.
   • What did Elizabeth experience when Mary visited her and the baby leapt for joy in her own womb reminding her not only of her own miracle but now the miracle of Mary carrying her Lord?
   • Read Luke 1:46-55 a loud while imagining the depth of Mary’s worship. Selah
4. The Wise Men
   Read Matthew 2:1-12
   • Think of the tenacity of the wise men as they followed the star — it wasn’t just an overnight journey!
   • Imagine the wonderment, the joy, the adoration as the wise men presented their gifts to Jesus. Selah
5. The Shepherds
   Read Luke 2: 8-20
   • What must it have been like in the night hours to have the darkness illuminated by the presence of an angel and the sound of a multitude of the heavenly host giving praise to God?
   • Consider the shepherds’ excitement as they rush to Bethlehem and find what the angel said was true, and begin to share with Mary and Joseph all they saw and heard. Selah
6. Simeon
   Read Luke 2: 22-35
   • Simeon held to the promise that he would not see death until the promise of the Messiah was fulfilled—now he held Jesus in his arms. Selah
7. Anna
   Read Luke 2:36-38
   • The prayers of a faithful intercessor, Anna, are interrupted by a young couple with an infant baby boy — and she begins to give thanks and speak about the redemption of Jerusalem. Selah

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) SELAH!

 

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