The Threat: King Herod

Image from "The Nativity Story" ©2006 New Line Cinema

     Herod was livid.  The wise men had promised to return from Bethlehem and report their findings, but God had warned them in a dream to journey home another way.  The Magi never returned to Jerusalem.  They did not trust Herod, nor his desire to "worship the young child." Truly, the sages were relieved.

     But not Herod. This lit a fire in his being which began a horrendous event that would be remembered by Jewish mothers throughout the ages. "Brutus, gather the army IMMEDIATELY," ordered the king.  "Make haste; search for this threat to my kingdom and destroy it!  If you cannot find him, kill every male child in the village from two years and younger.  He must not live.  Go...NOW!"

     Brutus obeyed.  It was this very army Joseph caught sight of on their way out of Bethlehem.  The thundering sound of hooves awakened the townspeople.   Little did they know, although it was prophesied, that soon their young sons would be ripped from their arms and slaughtered.

     Screaming. Chaos. Moaning. Confusion. Sobbing. The night was full of sounds and turbulence.  Of bedlam.  There was no mercy, no time for contesting.  Doors were broken down, torches swung into the still dark rooms of sleepy households.  Babes grabbed unmercifully from mother's arms.  Grabbed from the place where they laid asleep just minutes ago, dreaming in peace.  Woe to the male child, who was identified as such, dragged screaming from the abode, and slaughtered in the street.  

     The blood ran first with a trickle, and then with what seemed to be a stream.  Running down towards the valley, where the sheep lay quietly grazing, unaware of the turmoil above them. Then the words of the prophet Jeremiah came to be: "In Ramah was there were voices of lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning. Rachel was weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they had perished."

    Many years from now, blood from another lamb, the precious "Lamb of God" would trickle down a wooden cross.  But this time, the flow would save, and not destroy those in its path.  Fathers lost their only sons this night, but one day, God would not only lose, but offer up, His son for the salvation of all the world.

     Receive the Gift. . .
                                  not only the Christ Child in the manger, but the Son of God on the cross. He came to save and not destroy those who come to Him.

"For God SO loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

The Awesome Double Miracle: Elizabeth

Image from "The Nativity Story"

     That same confirmation would come from her cousin Elizabeth who herself, was holding miracle in her womb. Well past childbearing years, Elizabeth and Zacharias were to give birth to a man child.  

     "His name shall be John", the angel Gabriel announced to Zacharias in the temple.  His wife was now in her sixth month, and soon to be visited by a young girl from Nazareth. 

     
     "Greetings, cousin!  Peace be with you!", Mary had said.  At the sound of her voice, the child within Elizabeth leaped for joy.  "Why am I so privileged to have the mother of my Lord come to me?"  Elizabeth questioned with wonder.  How could she have known?  Only God could have revealed that to her.  

     So, it was true.  Finally, all the pieces flew together in one beautiful picture.  Mary's heart could no longer hold it's joy.  She burst forth in song, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.  For he hath regarded the humble state of his handmaiden.  From now on, all generations will call me blessed!"  

     
     The words overflowed from her spirit as water in a fast flowing rocky stream.  She praised God for His power and providence and yes, protection, in this troubled world.

        -From "Christmas Musings" by Jarm Del Boccio ©2012

Help! Baby Jesus is Missing!

I'm delighted to once again be participating in Susanna Hill's 3rd Annual Holiday Contest! 

Here are the rules:

The Contest:  Write a children's story about a Holiday Mishap, mix-up, miscommunication, mistake, or potential disaster (a la Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer :)).  Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 350 words (aren't I being generous?! :)  It can be as short as you like, but no more than 350!)  Did the dog knock over the Christmas Tree?  Did little Johnny's costume get grape juice all over it moments before the holiday pageant?  Did the menorah go missing?  Did travel arrangements get snarled or miscommunicated?  Did Santa's sleigh have to make an emergency landing?  The field is wide open!  Have fun!  And I'm adding, because so many people have mentioned this, the story does not have to be funny!  You can have a holiday mishap that is serious or sweet or mysterious...  Please don't feel that you have to go the humor route!

To see ALL the entries, go to Susanna Hill's blogpost, HERE.

Here is my creation, at 349 words. It's a theme that has been on my heart for quite a while . . . 

Help! Baby Jesus is Missing! 

Molly stood in front of her neighbor's house, looking at a forest of lighted  decorations. There was a snowman, a tin soldier, a candy cane, a candle, and of course, Santa and his reindeer.  

In the center were Mary and Joseph, bowing low over the manger. But, it was empty! Where is the Christ Child, Molly wondered? "It's His birthday soon. Jesus can't miss His own party!"

Maybe the tin soldier would know. "No, Miss," he said, "I'm just keeping the peace. Try the snowman."

The snowman looked strange. "Have you seen Jesus?" she asked.

"I can't see. They've forgotten my walnut eyes.  Sorry! Maybe the candy cane can help."

She hoped so. But Molly was disappointed. " I'm too busy straightening my pretty red bow. I haven't seen him."

"We must find him," she said in despair. "Christmas is coming soon!"

"Ask Santa," the candy cane suggested.

"Yes!" Sally said. "Santa would know."

She tugged on the sleeve of his red velvet suit. "Santa? Santa! Jesus is missing. Can you help?"

"Can't stop now, little girl. It's almost time to deliver my gifts. Ask the candle."

So she did. "Mr. Candle, can you help the Christ child find his way back to the manger?"

"Not tonight. Ask His parents."

"Mary? Joseph? Where is your Son?"

"He's coming soon, child. Very soon. He will be pleased to know you were waiting for Him," said Mary.

 "Those who are wise seek Him," said his father.  "Be patient, and he will appear."

Molly waited. Two whole days. On Christmas morning, there in the manger, was Jesus, hands outstretched. His parents lovingly bowed in reverence.

Molly clapped her hands in joy. "He's here! Just in time. Happy Birthday, Jesus!"

The lawn decorations joined in.

"To the Prince of Peace!" said the soldier.

"You warm our hearts," said the snowman.

"Our sweet baby Jesus," the candy cane said.

"The greatest gift!" said Santa.

"The light of the world," said the candle.

"Wise men still seek Him," Joseph declared.

"Our waiting is over" said Mary.

"You've finally come!" Molly said. "Welcome to our world!!"

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

The Bendable Jesus

I took a self-proclaimed writer's retreat last week, which proved very productive. Finishing the first draft of a chapter book I had been working on, I rewarded myself with a "window-shopping" spree down a historic street in Galena, Illinois, one of my favorite places for a "get-away".

As I was walking by a bookstore, my eye caught a item in the window. It was an "action figure" of sorts, labeled "Bendable Jesus". I immediately chucked to myself and thought: Isn't it just like our culture to attempt to bend and shape Jesus Christ, the Son of God into any shape we so desire?

    Thinking about it further, we have the "mad-at-the-world" Jesus, or the "He-doesn't-care-what-I-do-as-long-as-I'm-happy" Jesus, or "He's-just-another-prophet" Jesus, or "He-wants-me-to-be-healthy-wealthy-and-wise" Jesus.  All of these can be misleading, since none of them describe who he really is.

    Normally, if we want to know about a historic character, we read his or her biography, or a work written by the person in question. So why, I ask myself, do folks assume they can define Jesus when they haven't read his autobiography?

    And where can we find that biography? The Holy Bible, or God's Word, of course! But, where can one begin? The Bible can be intimidating.  

    Here are a couple of suggestions:

• You can find the first chapter of the book of John HERE.  Jesus is described as the Word in this passage.

• Also, the link for the book of Mark, about the humanity of Christ, can be found HERE.

• Or, if you are curious about specific topics in the Bible, check out ONE PLACE.

Are you bending Jesus into something of your own making? Or, are you relying on the solid, unchangeable Word of God?