The Iron Pen #84
"...graven with an iron pen and lead..." Job
19:24
Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.
God & Country
As God can send a nation or people no greater blessing than to give
them faithful, sincere, and upright ministers, so the greatest curse that
God can possibly send upon a people in this world is to give them over to
blind, unregenerate, carnal, luke-warm, and unskillful guides (George
Whitefield – 1714 to 1770)
The Seven Miracles of Christmas
- Annunciation – Luke 1:26-30
The word annunciation is not commonly used today. The word
means, making an announcement or proclamation. The announcement in focus
here is the one made by the angel Gabriel that the Virgin Mary is God’s
choice of all the women upon earth to be the mother of the Messiah.
- Conception – Luke 1:31-35
The human body and human spirit of the Son of God were created by the
power of God the Father and God the Spirit within the womb of the Virgin
Mary without the aid of a man.
- Explanation – Matthew 1:18-25
The Angel Gabriel declares to Joseph that Mary had not been unfaithful
but rather by the power of God conceived and would bring forth Emmanuel,
God with us.
- Incarnation – John 1:1-4 & 14
As with the word annunciation, incarnation is a word that we
rarely use in conversation today. The word literally means the act of
clothing with flesh. This is the act of assuming flesh, or of taking a
human body and the nature of man. That is what the second person of the
Trinity, the Word of God, God’s Son did when He was born in Bethlehem.
However, do not make the mistake that some make in thinking the birth in
Bethlehem was the beginning of God the Son. He eternally existed with the
Father & Holy Spirit (Micah 5:2)
- Declaration – Luke 2:8-17
No one would have noticed or even cared about a baby being born in a
barn as it were, if it would not have been for the miraculous declaration
of his birth to the shepherds by the angels. After the angelic
announcement, the shepherds went to see the Savior and then spread the
news of His birth far and wide.
- Conversation – Hebrews 10:5-10
Hebrews 10 is an important passage of Scripture that is not usually
mentioned in association with the Christmas story. It records a
conversation between God and his Son. This conversation reveals the reason
for the incarnation. God became man so that He could offer Himself as a
sin offering for our sins that we might be saved. That IS a miracle!
- Visitation – Matthew 2:1-12
The last miracle of Christmas revolves around the visit of the wise
men. They were directed to the Christ child by His star. This star was the
wise men’s own personal GPS and led them to the home where the young child
resided with his parents. Jesus could have been up to two years old at
this point. When the wise men arrived in Bethlehem, they worshipped Christ
and presented him with costly presents. Wise men (and women) still seek
Christ and when they have found him, they worship Him!
Baby’s Birthday Without Baby
Two women were enjoying an elaborate luncheon in a posh downtown
restaurant. The waiter inquired as to the occasion of the lavish luncheon.
One of the ladies replied, "We are celebrating the baby’s birthday!"
"Where is the baby?" asked the waiter?
"Oh," said the mother, "I did not bring him. He does not know anything
about it."
Many people celebrate the Birthday of our Savior and neglect to include
Him. In our rush of observing Christmas with its shopping, parties,
programs, family gatherings and all, STOP to meditate upon the Christ
Child who should be the center of it all.
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