Christmas

“Do You Hear What I Hear?”

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment
Image by Angeles Balaguer from Pixabay

The Christmas carol “Do You Hear What I Hear?” asks three questions.

“Do you see what I see?”
“Do you hear what I hear?”
“Do you know what I know?”

The Holy Spirit is asking people those same questions today.

“Do you see what I see?”
He wants those who are taking the time to look around to see the need for people to see Jesus as God’s Son and to accept him as their Lord and Savior. To ask him for forgiveness for their sins and to enter into a life with God.

I have mentioned many times that if we trust God with our needs and concerns, we are free to see the needs of others. Satan wants us not to trust God and not see others’ need for a Savior. He works so hard to keep people’s lives in chaos!

“Do you hear what I hear?”
Do you hear people crying out for help? Not only America but every country has enormous needs and big problems. People are trying so hard to fix those issues with their strength and mind. The root problem for most of them is there is a lack of love! Some know the answer is found in God, but they fear turning their lives and countries over to Him for help, guidance, wisdom, and solutions.

“Do you know what I know?”
The Holy Spirit wants us to feel the urgency of the hour. The clock is ticking, and time is winding down to the triumphant return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit is also whispering like a wind to those who are quiet, content, grazing in green pastures, “See, Jesus. He is Dancing in the night.” He is asking the shepherds, “Hear, Jesus. He is singing high above the trees with a voice as big as the sea.” Then, the Holy Spirit is asking our leaders, “Are you warm and comfortable with the way things are? Yet Jesus is here waiting to help. Come. Ask, and give Him the praise and glory He is due.”

The Holy Spirit is hoping the leaders of the world will say to the people everywhere, “Listen to what I say! Pray for peace, people, everywhere, listen to what I say! The Child, the Child sleeping in the night, He will bring us goodness and light.”

But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims,

A sight to take your breath away!
Grand processions of people
    telling all the good things of God!

But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to.
Rom. 10:14-17 (MSG)

Are you like a lamb, listening? A shepherd watching? Or perhaps you are one who has the resources to help others.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Breath of Heaven

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Image by Goran Horvat from Pixabay

I have traveled many moonless nights,
Cold and weary with a babe inside,
And I wonder what I’ve done.
Holy father you have come,
And chosen me now to carry your son.

I am waiting in a silent prayer.
I am frightened by the load I bear.
In a world as cold as stone,
Must I walk this path alone?

I can’t imagine what Mary went through. God asked her to do a lot. To accept being part of His plan. To be willing to get pregnant without having been with a man and then to try to explain it all to her fiancé. Why should he believe her? Or her parents and friends, for that matter. This had never happened before. She must have felt alone for months, at least until she went to her cousin’s house, who believed her. (Luke 1:39-56)

Mary’s prayer probably went something like this:
Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.
Breath of heaven.

Do you wonder as you watch my face,
If a wiser one should have had my place,
But I offer all I am

For the mercy of your plan.
Help me be strong.

Has God asked you to do something as part of his plan? Does it sound outrageous or ridiculous? Many years ago, He asked me to accept a youth pastor’s position in a young church that could not afford to pay me a salary. My father was angry and thought I was nuts. I had completed college with my associate’s degree and had started a promising career with the area’s electric company. I obeyed God, and He was with me then and faithful to meet my needs, but I never stopped praying a similar prayer to Mary’s, and I, too, wondered if there was someone more qualified than I.

So, are you hearing a breath of heaven? Are you being called? I challenge you to trust God. Take his hand and start the most incredible adventure of your life. Yes, there will be times you will wonder if you made the right decision, but it is in those moments that God will do something extraordinary in you or through you that will leave no doubt in your mind that you did. You may feel as if there is someone better or smarter but remember this, God asked you. Besides, they may rely too much on their strength instead of on God’s.

“Breath of Heaven”
Songwriter: Christopher Eaton.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

The Little Drummer Boy

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I saw the posted image in Facebook the other day.  I had to read it twice before my mind drew the correct image of what was being said.  Then I laughed, and immediately shared it with a couple of friends.  One didn’t get it until I started singing the song.  If they had gotten it on their own they wouldn’t have had to hear me sing, “Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum!”

“Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum! That line has become synonymous with the Christmas season as part of the beloved carol “The Little Drummer Boy.” The song is believed to have been written by Katherine K. Davis, and it was first recorded in 1951. The lyrics are in the first person, and the speaker is a little drummer boy at the manger scene who had nothing to give baby Jesus but his drum solo. The song is sweet, reverent, and imaginative, but, no, the little drummer boy is not in the Bible.”

This Christmas song was not one of my favorites, at all.  That is, until I heard a version of it by, “White Heart”.  I found the song dull and boring before, but not anymore.

A few days have gone by since that Facebook post, but then yesterday, as April and I were out running errands and a particular Christmas song came on the radio, it dawned on me, I haven’t paused yet to reflect the true meaning of Christmas.  I haven’t stopped long enough to prepare my heart to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Back to the little drummer boy; whether just a made up story or not, taking time to give Jesus what you have is a valuable lesson to reflect on.  He had nothing to give, but his talent of playing drums.  If it was true, I can see him standing there in perfect single formation, playing that drum with all of his heart!  Playing an anthem fit for a king, and in this case the King of Kings.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

Source: gotquestions.org

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

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The Christmas song “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” gives the reason, the story, of the birth of Jesus Christ, and the future of his saints.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of ev’ry nation, joy of every longing heart.

Joy to those who long to see Thee Day-spring from on high, appear.
Come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse, of Thy birth, we long to hear!
O’er the hills the angels singing news, glad tidings of a birth; “Go to Him your praises bringing Christ the Lord has come to earth!”

Come to earth to taste our sadness, He whose glories knew no end. By His life He brings us gladness, Our redeemer, Shepherd, Friend. Leaving riches without number, born within a cattle stall; this the everlasting wonder, Christ was born the Lord of all.

Born Thy people to deliver, born a child, and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring. by Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by Thine all-sufficient merit raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Come, Thou whom the prophets promised. Thou of whom the canters sing; Come, Emmanuel, God be with us. Thou our Prophet, Priest, and King. Jesus, Thou are all perfection, Thou whose fellowship we crave; Thou the Life and Resurrection, Come redeem us from the grave.

Come, Thou King, receive Thy kingdom; With the angels, split the skies! Come with shouts and trumpets sounding, Bid Thy slumb’ring children rise! Gather in Thine arms so tender Sinners saved through grace alone; Lead us though Thy gates of splendor Unto our eternal home.

Any questions?

Songwriters: Words: Charles Wesley, 1744 (Verses 1 & 4) Mark Hunt, 1978 (Verses 2 & 3) Ann Aschauer 2022 (Verses 5 & 6)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

If Only

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I have been listening to the same song over and over today, so I decided to share its lyrics. The song is “Christmas at Denny’s” by Randy Stonehill. It is sad and kind of haunting—at least some of the words are.

they got Christmas Muzak
piped in through the ceiling
and the refills of coffee
are always for free
and the waitress on graveyard
and the surly night manager
are wishing that all of us losers would leave

there’s a star on the sign
at the Texaco Station
like the star long ago
on that midnight clear
as I look all around
at these cold, empty faces
I doubt that you’d find many wise men here

and I’m dreaming about
a silent night
holy night
when things were alright
(Chorus)
once I had a home
and a wife and a daughter
had a company job
earning middle-class pay
then Lisa got killed
by a car near the schoolyard
and my wife started drinking
just to get through each day

I will never forget that little red wagon
turning to rust all alone in the rain
one morning I flagged down
a truck on the highway
I just couldn’t bear to go back there again
(Chorus:)
and I’m dreaming about
a silent night
holy night
when things were alright
and I’m dreaming about
how my life could have been
if only, if only, if only
well, it’s not just the blind man
who loses his sight
merry Christmas
it’s Christmas at Denny’s tonight

they say
life’s made of cruel circumstance
fate plays the tune and we dance
dance til we drop
in the dust and we’re gone
and the world just goes on

the cop at the counter
he’s the guardian angel
he watches these orphans
through dark mirrored shades
and the register rings
like a bell sadly tolling
for the fools we’ve become
and the price that we paid

oh when I was a boy
I believed in Christmas
miracle season to make a new start
I don’t need no miracle, sweet baby Jesus
just help me find
some kind of hope in my heart
(Chorus)
but I’ll still be here
at the morning’s first light
merry Christmas
it’s Christmas at Denny’s tonight

The song tells a sad story, and I would bet it isn’t too far from at least one’s true story. Life is about making choices in reaction to what is going on in our lives. In the above story, the man couldn’t get over his daughter’s death and then witnessed his wife’s slow demise into alcohol. Even though he mentions having knowledge of God in the past. If only you hadn’t cheated on your spouse. If only you hadn’t lost your job. If only you had not come down with cancer. If only you had been a better parent. If only your house had not been destroyed by fire. If only, if only, if only.

You can mess up or have bad things happen in your life but still keep your hope.

So what happens when one looks at the circumstances instead of God? They lose their faith. They lose hope. That is what Satan wants. For you to lose your hope, that is. Without hope, people die. Jesus is the hope of the world. Accept Him and survive anything that may come your way in life.

…in him will the nations find hope. Mat. 12:21 (ICB)

I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom. 15:13 (ICB)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

Christmas Hangover?

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Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

I drive April to work early each morning. Today, on the way back home, I was listening to a Christian radio station. They wound up playing four Christmas songs. You know I was singing along! Loud! I think the station’s computer had not been updated, removing those songs from its playlist.

 I heard someone say the other day, “The build-up before Christmas was huge, and then it was all over before I knew it!” According to Urban Dictionary, “A Christmas Hangover is the feeling you get in your stomach when you realize it’s no longer Christmas.”

Do you feel that way? Did the holiday go the way you wanted it to, or had hoped? Are you disappointed for some reason? I propose the issue for you, may be that “The Day” is more significant than “The Reason.” In other words, the gifts, the food, being with family, etc., mean more to you than the fact that Jesus was born that day.

When you accept Jesus into your life and know that your sins have been forgiven, a particular life or light should start growing within you. It happens as your relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, begins to grow. As it develops, you realize that Jesus becomes very real and is walking along with you. Conversations start to take place, and soon, you know that Jesus is close and will never leave you.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.” Heb. 13:5 (NIV)

This kind of “living” relationship changes your approach to Christmas and every day before and after and is the best cure for a Christmas hangover.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

Christmas Cards

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SENDING CARDS
Sending Christmas cards may soon be a thing of the past. I look at it as a way to say, “Hi. I’m still alive. I hope you are, too, and I wish you God’s best for the holiday season.” I once had a tradition where people received my Christmas card the day after Thanksgiving. I did it because I moved so much. I wanted them to have my new address! One year, I received a lady’s Christmas card in September. Inside, she wrote, “By God, you weren’t going to beat me this year!”

FUNNIEST CARD
The funniest card I ever received was in 2020. On the cover, it showed a Christmas tree made from stacked toilet paper rolls. (Leftover from the COVID pandemic. Thanks, Patty.)

MEANINGFUL CARD
There was one card that a friend of mine and I sent back and forth for twenty-nine years. It was the same card. We would find an open spot and sign our name with the year. I calculated that the card had traveled back and forth across America some 22,000 miles. The tradition ended when I lost the card in Chicago. I felt as if I had lost my friend. Two years later, I did.

FAVORITE CARD said:
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior!

That card said it all. It shared what our greatest need was and what God did about it. If you have not accepted God’s gift of salvation, then it should be the first gift you open this Christmas. In fact, you can open it early and do it now! God is still meeting needs today. He is capable of meeting yours if you let him. Ask, and then believe that He will answer in the best way possible. He knows all the details. The ones we see and the ones we don’t.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Phil. 4:19 (NIV)

You may find yourself struggling this holiday season. It’s hard to be concerned with world issues when your issues feel as big as the world. Remember this: God sees you, loves you, and knows what your needs are. Give him a chance to show himself strong in your life.

And back to Christmas cards, take the time to send someone a card. Perhaps they are someone who doesn’t expect to be remembered this holiday season. I assure you, it will meet at least one need in their life.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady

Sensing Jesus – Nose

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The body’s nose is probably overlooked and perhaps underrated. Some joke about those who stick theirs in one’s business. Others may tease about one at work having a “brown” nose. Yet, the nose has the ability to bring fond memories back to one’s mind. I know whenever I smell dinner rolls, I recall walking into the house I grew up in and smelling homemade dinner rolls baking in the oven. They were usually the last item cooked, so the smell of rolls meant we would be eating soon.

Yet the nose has the power to save lives. Even now, as I am writing this post, I can still smell the remnants of the fire we had here last night. I was upstairs working when I started smelling the strong odor of a burning wire. I found where it was coming from. An outlet in the bedroom. I went and got my tools. When I removed the cover, a flame ignited from the smoldering wire. I didn’t think I had time to run to the garage to kill the power, so I picked up a pair of pliers that had rubber handles and shorted the circuit out.

I removed the burnt outlet and replaced it with a new one. I believe the culprit was a heater drawing too many amps and the breaker not doing its job. (I’m not an electrician, so I’m not sure about that, but I know I need to hire one to check things out.) April and I were relieved and thanked God for allowing me to smell the issue before it caught the house on fire.

Odors can save our homes and our lives. God likes odors or aromas, too. In the Old Testament, we can read that he took delight in the smells rising from the altar of the Holy of Holies. He also took delight when His Son gave himself up for us.

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Eph. 5:2 (NKJV)

We, too, should enjoy the fragrance of Jesus’ death on the cross that provided atonement for our sins. He willingly laid out his life on the altar for us. This Christmas, take time to take in the smells of the season and think about how sweet the aroma of life is through the gift of salvation.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady

Sensing Jesus – Touch

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Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

Physical contact with infants is crucial for their development. Studies have shown that babies who receive more physical contact from their mothers had a lower response to stress-inducing situations later in life. Another study found that premature babies who received three 15-minute sessions of touch therapy per day for five days showed improved brain activity.

On the other hand, babies who do not receive ample physical and emotional attention are at higher risk for behavioral, emotional, and social problems as they grow up.

Newborns denied physical contact with other humans can actually die from this lack of contact, even when provided with proper nutrition and shelter. (See references below.)

As you can see from the studies referenced above, “touch” is extremely important and powerful. When Jesus was born, those in the area would have received a lot if they had only stopped their business, sought Jesus out, and held him in their arms. Simeon did just that. He waited for the King of Kings to be brought to the temple and presented to the priest.

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, (Luke 2:28 (NIV)

Then there was the woman who was healed of a twelve-year plague simply because her faith prodded her to “touch” the hem of Jesus’ robe. (Mat. 9:20-22)

In this busy holiday season, if you will stop and seek Jesus out, you will find him. There is nothing like a touch from the Master. There is nothing that can compare to sensing His presence. It will touch your heart. Jesus welcomes you no matter what you have done. It’s interesting that when Jesus died on the cross to forgive us of sin, his arms were wide open. That is a position of acceptance.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady

Sensing Jesus – Mouth

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Image by Giulia Marotta from Pixabay

“For as often as you eat this cup and drink this bread,” said the senior pastor as he was leading us in the monthly ritual of communion. I was 21, a youth pastor, standing on his left, and I had to stare at the floor to keep from laughing.

Jesus made reference that we should drink his blood that was poured out when He died on the cross. And partake of his body, which was broken for us. Now, He did not mean this literally, of course, but suggesting that we take him in and remember what He did on the cross that provided salvation for us and the forgiveness of sin.

The mouth is not only for taking communion, but it can serve as a means to share God’s love through verbal speech. It’s sad when it happens, but it can also tear someone down.

Words kill, words give life;
    they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. Prov. 18:21 (MSG)

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Jam. 3:10 (NIV)

The mouth is an integral part of the body. With it, you can praise and worship God or read his word out loud to yourself or others. You can encourage someone with words spoken over them. Jesus used his mouth to speak of loving God first and then your neighbor. He used his mouth to invite people to accept him.

This Christmas season, sense Jesus. Get quiet somewhere and take him in. Speak the words He spoke. Invite others to accept Jesus. Encourage people with loving words. Use your mouth for good and not hurt or hate. Use it to give praise and worship to Father God. Thank him for his Son, for his blessings. Spread joy throughout this season of giving.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady