Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas! (It's Not Over Yet)

 

 

 I hope you all had a wonder-filled Christmas and continue to stand in awe in front of the manger. In the past, I have heard coworkers remark that they took down all their Christmas decorations on December 26th, exclaiming that Christmas was over. But it's not.  Christmas is a season. Could one day be enough to marvel and thank God for the birth of Jesus?  Could one lifetime be enough to thank God for loving us so much?

  I don't think so. Continue to dive into the rich mysteries surrounding Christ's birth. The birth of a child is only the beginning; it's not the end.  Keep growing in Christ's love.  Sit next to Mary and let the face of Jesus melt your heart.  Stand next to Joseph and learn how to protect the love of God from being destroyed by the world.

  Although the world may view December 25th as a singular day, I believe it was the day that changed the world forever. This is only the beginning!

-Susan

Picked Fron The Fields-An Advent Story, The Conclusion

 The shepherds made many trips to visit Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. The moment Abigail’s feet entered the cave, she felt as if she had left the world behind. All her worries and fears vanished as she experienced overwhelming love. She cherished every moment sitting next to Mary and Jesus, her heart filled with awe, reverence, and love.  

  She had never met anyone like Mary before.  She was the mother of the Messiah, but was so humble and caring. Each time they visited, Mary would share scripture with Nathan.  Her knowledge of God was not only impressive but deeply personal. While listening to Mary, you couldn’t help but love God.   And when Mary prayed with Jesus in her arms, it was incredible! It was not the words she spoke but the Presence Abigail felt. It was as if she was experiencing the exchange of love between Mary and the Lord. It was powerful, and Abigail’s heart inflamed with pure love, a love that would forever change her faith.

  Then, one day, Joseph announced to Levi that it was time for them to leave. They were going to the Temple for the purification rites and to present Jesus to the Lord according to the Law. Afterward, Joseph and Mary planned to return to their home in Nazareth.  Abigail knew this day would come, but that did not lessen the pain she was feeling. Nathan cried the tears they were all feeling, his sobs echoing the collective sorrow.  As they said their final goodbyes, Mary asked Nathan to continue learning the scriptures and praying as she had taught him.  Nathan agreed, saying, “Could I just have one more chance to pray next to baby Jesus before you leave?”  Mary smiled and allowed Nathan to kneel next to Jesus one last time, the emotional weight of the moment palpable in the air.

   Levi, Abigail, and Nathan walked home a little slower that day. Their lives were forever changed.  They may still look like poor shepherds but never see themselves as poor again.  They knew they were blessed and loved by God.  They knew the Messiah would soon change the world.  As they walked, Nathan said, “Mom, when I was praying with Jesus, he told me I didn’t need to be sad.  Jesus told me he was coming back one day.  Jesus told me to keep praying and be prepared for that day.  He will call out my name, and I should drop what I’m doing and follow him. I told him I’ll be ready.”

-Susan   

Picked From The Fields-An Advent Story (week 4)

 

  After they prayed, everyone remained silent and marveled at the baby. He was beautiful. He was the Messiah. Abigail tried to imagine what incredible things he would do in his life. What would the Messiah do? Abigail wondered why she had never pondered that idea before. She knew the Messiah would come one day, but she never imagined it being in her lifetime, and she never even dreamed of meeting him. Suddenly, the silence was broken.

  “So why are you here?  Why is Jesus sleeping in a manger?” Nathan inquired.

  “We are here for the census,” Joseph answered.

  “No, I mean…are you poor like us?”

  “Nathan,” Levy said sharply.  “I’m sorry for my son’s questions.”

  Mary looked at Joseph and then smiled. “My heart is full of love. I feel very blessed. I trust the Lord will give us all we need,” Mary answered.

  “So if your heart is full of love, you’re not poor?” asked Nathan. “How do you fill your heart with love?’

  “I give my heart to God daily, and He fills it up with His love. God’s love is my treasure. It is the only treasure I desire. And now He has blessed me with Jesus, and my heart is so happy it is overflowing.”

  Nathan smiled. “My heart feels happy being here too!  I guess I’m not poor, either.”  Mary smiled sweetly at Nathan, and then a small yawn escaped her.

  “We are sorry.  You must be exhausted.  We should let you get some rest,” Abigail suggested.  As Abigail stood up, she remembered she had left her basket with their dinner outside the entrance.  “Have you any food here? I have some bread in my basket. It is not much.  Please allow us the honor to leave you this small present.  You will need substance to feed this little one.”

  Joseph smiled and agreed.  “Mary, you will need to eat. We were so worried about finding a place for Mary to deliver that we did not have a chance to acquire food. Thank you for your generosity.”

  “We could return tomorrow with another meal if you allowed us,” replied Levi.

  “That would be greatly appreciated.  I would hate to leave Mary alone so soon after giving birth,” answered Joseph.

  The shepherds then left the cave, their hearts filled with joy. They each discussed what they could bring tomorrow. As they walked, they tried to comprehend what had occurred.  The Messiah had been born, and they were the first to visit him.! They were invited to come back again! “We prayed with the Messiah!” they exclaimed. Each tried to describe how it felt to be near the baby.

  As Abigail lay down to sleep that night, she played all the details of the night that she could remember.  She didn’t want to forget a single moment. It was all too incredible. Before drifting off to sleep, Abigail allowed herself to ponder one last question.  “Lord, why did you choose us? Are we really that important to you?” Abigail wasn’t sure if she had imagined it, dreamed it, or heard the Word “Yes!”.

-Susan

Picked From The Fields-An Advent Story (Week 3)

 

    As the shepherds neared Bethlehem, the star became even brighter.  Levi looked around and couldn't believe there were no crowds of people traveling to see the Messiah. Where was everyone?  Did they misunderstand the angels? Were they too late?  Despite these doubts, the shepherds were determined to find the newborn King. They stopped outside the town to discuss their next move.

 "Dad, Dad! Look over there. I can see a cave; the star is right over it!" Nathan announced.

 "Nathan, I do not think the Messiah would be born in a cave," Levi answered.

 "Dad, the angel said, 'And this will be the sign you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.' I believe it, Dad. We have to go over there!" Nathan's voice was filled with conviction, his belief in the angel's message unwavering. 

 Levi returned his attention to the other shepherds until he heard Abigail scream, "Nathan, come back here!" Nathan ran as fast as his legs would carry him towards the cave. Levi took off after his son, with Abigail close behind.  It was unlike Nathan to disobey. Levi and Abigail caught up to Nathan just outside the cave's entrance.

 Levi grabbed hold of Nathan's arm and pulled Nathan to a stop. "Dad, he's in there.  I can feel him."  Levi was too out of breath to respond.  He was about to lose his anger when a man emerged from the cave.

 "Hello, can I help you?" the man asked with concern.  "We were given permission to stay here.  I spoke with the owner myself."

 Nathan shouted, "We are here to see the Messiah!  The angels said he would be lying in a manger.  And the star is right over us, and," Nathan paused for a moment, "Is he here?  Do you know where he is?"

 The man looked relieved and said, "Please give me a minute to answer you."  He returned inside for a few minutes and then reappeared. "My name is Joseph.  My wife and son are inside. Jesus was just born tonight. My wife, Mary, said I should invite you in. Please come inside."

 With her warm and welcoming smile, Mary knelt next to the manger, her gentle presence filling the cave with a sense of peace and comfort.

 Nathan's eyes lit up as he quietly announced, "It's him!  The baby the angels told us about!" His voice was filled with awe and reverence, acknowledging the Divine Presence before him.

 Mary smiled at Nathan and reached out her arm to pull him closer.  "Tell me, Nathan, do angels talk to you often?"

 "No.  This was the first time!  It was exciting and scary at the same time.  I remember everything they said.  There were lots of them.  And they sang, 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.' My Mom and Dad heard them, too!  So did the other shepherds. We all came right away."  Nathan stopped to look at the baby lying in the manger.  "He looks like a regular baby, but I feel different around him.  I feel warm inside, and my heart feels like it's growing inside me."  Nathan looked at Mary to see if she understood.

 "Nathan, if an angel has revealed a message from the Lord, I would follow their instructions, too. Trusting the Lord and his desires shows great faith on your part. The Lord must find you very pleasing."

 "I didn't even know the Lord knew who I was.  I'm not very smart.  I don't get to the synagogue very much."

 Abigail and Levi's faces were flushed with shame.  "We should probably try to go more often," Levi said.

 "We are honored to share Jesus with you.  Nathan, would you like to join me in prayer?"  Mary cradled baby Jesus in her arms and sat close to Nathan.

 Nathan nervously looked at his parents and then at Mary holding Jesus.  "I don't really know very many prayers," Nathan admitted.

 Mary smiled at Nathan and said, "I would happily teach you one." Nathan beamed as he listened to Mary praise God. Mary encouraged him to repeat her words as she prayed. Abigail and Levi listened closely, too. This young woman was remarkable. They had never heard someone pray so openly and honestly. They could feel God's love. 

  As they continued to pray, Abigail could hear the other shepherds fall to their knees behind her. Together, they prayed as one. This moment was more glorious than the angels singing.  Imagine being picked out of the fields to pray with the newborn Messiah and his mother. They were nobody, but they were the most blessed on earth at this moment!

-Susan

Picked From The Fields-An Advent Story (Week 2)

 

  Levi and Abigail stood in awe, their hearts racing, trying to comprehend the extraordinary event unfolding.  Angels singing?  The Messiah has been born?  It couldn't be a figment of their imagination. Such sights and sounds were not of this earth. They not only saw and heard the angels, but they also felt their words.  The angelic words were warm, soft, and filled with wonder. They felt the angel's love flowing into their bodies, a powerful and beautiful sensation.

 "Come on, let's go!" shouted Nathan.

 Abigail and Levi looked at their son and then at one another.  "Go where?" asked Levi.

 "The angels said we must go to Bethlehem and find this baby!" Nathan's excitement was palpable, and his youthful energy radiated as he jumped up and down, waiting for his parents' feet to move.

 Abigail smiled at her son and said, "Yes!  We must go! God has sent angels to invite us! Blessed be God Most High, who would look at his lowly servants and bless us with a heavenly message."

 "Quickly help me get the sheep secured." Levi directed. It almost took no effort to get the sheep back into their pen. Levi could hear the other shepherds doing the same. The men were shouting his name as he closed the gate.

 "Levi, you saw it too, right?  The angels in the sky singing about the Messiah!" asked the shepherds.  "That was the most amazing thing I have ever seen!" 

 Levi ran over to them and declared, "Yes!  We saw it, too! We have to go find this baby!  The Messiah has finally come! The prayers of our ancestors have been answered! We must leave immediately!" His voice was filled with determination and urgency.

 The small group of shepherds, Abigail and Nathan, began walking quickly toward Bethlehem, their hearts filled with excitement and anticipation. The shepherds tried remembering what they had learned about the coming Messiah in their youth.  Since they were not the most learned, they concluded that the angels must be telling everyone and they could learn more from those willing to speak to them.

 Abigail knew not to interfere with the men's conversation.  She heard bits and pieces but focused her attention on Nathan's questions.  She had never seen Nathan so excited.  It was heartwarming to see things from Nathan's innocent and excited perspective. He had only been to Bethlehem a few times.  He did not understand the ways of the world.  It never even crossed his mind that shepherds were looked down on by others. She was worried he would experience the unfriendly stares she had become accustomed to receiving.  Abigail knew her place.  She would stand in the back or the outskirts.  She imagined that just being near the Messiah and his royal family would be more than she ever deserved.

 Nathan had remembered every word the angels had spoken, and he did his very best to sing their hymn of praise. "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Abigail smiled as he sang.  What a glorious night! And the best part was about to come!

 "Dad, are we almost there?" yelled Nathan.

 "We are very close to Bethlehem.  Do you see how bright that star is over there?" Levi pointed with his hand. "We think that's where we will find the newborn Messiah! I'm sure there will be crowds of people, so I need you to stay very close to your mother and me."

 "I will, Dad!  I'm so excited!" answered Nathan.

(to be continued....)

-Susan

 

Picked From The Fields - An Advent Story (Week 1)

 

  It was a typical evening in the Judean countryside. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the fields. Abigail was busy preparing a meager dinner for her family. "Nathan, please fetch my basket," Abigail called out to her young son, Nathan. Nathan found the basket in its usual spot in the corner. He shook out the crumbs from the previous night and then handed the basket to his mother. "The sun is setting, and your father will bring the herd in for the night. We need to hurry. He will be hungry."

 "Can I stay all night with Dad tonight?  I could help him watch the sheep."

  Abigail picked up the basket, headed for the door, and signaled Nathan to follow. “You must discuss that with your father when we see him. Let him eat first. Don't bother him with requests until he has rested and eaten something."

  Nathan smiled. As far as he was concerned, that was one step closer to a "yes."

   Abigail and Nathan placed the blanket at the edge of the field and waited for Levi to return with the flock. They waited for a long time. The sun had set, and darkness slowly spread across the fields.

"When is he going to get here?  I'm hungry.  Can't we just eat without him?" begged Nathan.

  "No, Nathan. We will wait for your father. He must be having trouble with the flock."

"Do you think he was attacked by wolves?"

 Abigail shot Nathan an obvious sign of dismay. "Nathan, please, you are not making this wait easier with such thoughts.  Why don't you study the stars like your father has taught you?  One day, you may arrive back late with the sheep, too.  You will need to know the path home."  As Nathan chatted about the stars, Abigail nervously bit her lip, hoping everything was okay.  She noticed none of the other men were back yet, either.  Something was definitely wrong.

 More time passed, and Abigail tried hard to remember the prayers her mother had taught her. Nathan rested his head on her lap, and the two began to doze off.  Suddenly, Nathan sat up.  "I can hear them! Mom. I hear the sheep!"

 Abigail looked out towards the dark hills, straining to hear as well.  "Oh, I think you are right, Nathan!  Come on, let's go meet them."  Abigail and Nathan quickly rose to their feet and headed toward the first hill. Abigail was surprised they could see the path so clearly.  The stars seemed to be incredibly bright tonight.

  Nathan began running and calling out his name when he saw his father. Levi looked tired, but his face lit up as his son ran towards him.  "Dad, we were waiting for you!  Mom was worried, but I knew you would be alright."  Levi smiled and wrapped his arms around his son.  It had been a difficult day herding the sheep, but everything seemed better now.

  Breathless, Abigail joined the embrace. "You're very late!" she scolded, wrapping her arms tight around her husband.

  "I'm sorry.  It couldn't be helped.  We almost lost a few today," Levi answered, "I hope you brought food with you.  I'm starving."

  As Abigail looked up to smile at Levi, she noticed an incredible light in the sky.  Levi followed his wife's gaze.  "What in the world is that?

  The light became more brilliant.  The entire hill was lit up.  Levi could see the other shepherds returning with their flocks as if it were day.  Both scared and excited, they all walked forward toward the light. A heavenly figure appeared out of the light, saying, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For today, in the city of David, a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.  And this will be the sign you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." Then the sky was filled with heavenly angels singing, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

  No one said a word while the angels praised God.  Their voices were beautiful and powerful simultaneously, and no one felt the chill of the night air.  The sight was spectacular! Abigail wondered if they were in the heavens or still on earth as her heart seemed to soar upwards toward the light.  And then, as quickly as the light appeared, they were gone, but their heavenly voices would be an everlasting memory.
(To be continued...)
-Susan