“God With Us”

Father in heaven, thank you for our church. That you for everything that’s gone on in the service today and the privilege of being in this pulpit to share your Word with your people – your blessed flock, the beloved, the apple of your eye. As we stand in your presence today, teach us, O Lord. Amen.

How would you like to be nine months pregnant and have to travel 20, 30, 40 miles on a donkey? Forty miles on a bumpy road, on a donkey! I’m sure that was a hard journey for Mary. Poor Mary had been told that she was going to get pregnant – even though she wouldn’t know a man and that the whole world would think she was an unwed mother. They would want to stone her, but Joseph would protect her. And the angel said to her, “that holy thing shall be born unto you.”

Jesus had an unusual birth. He was born a “holy thing.”

I was born a “holy terror.” I don’t know what you were born.

When we’re born, we’re carnal, sold unto sin. But when Jesus was born, He was holy from the moment of His birth. He was a blessing to his mother. He did everything His mother asked Him to do; including making wine at a wedding.

Mary did not understand Jesus’ mission as fully as you might think. She was just a very young girl when the angel explained to her that she would conceive immaculately. In her womb, a miracle would take place and God would create there a divine human being: God and man. Not blended, yet blended.

Remember we’ve talked about paradoxes. Fully God, fully man. All in one but not blended, but blended. I don’t get it. That’s why I worship Him. He’s bigger than me; He’s smarter than me. Okay?

If He was smarter than Einstein, and Einstein worshiped a God who was intelligent and Einstein thought of God as brilliant but far beyond his comprehension, where does that leave me? I’m lucky though. All I have to do is read it in the Bible and that’s it. I believe it. I may be luckier than Einstein. I may be wiser than Einstein in one way; he didn’t read the Bible and believe it by faith. He was looking for the proof.

He said something interesting though. He said if you look for the beauty, the most beautiful aspect of anything you’re studying, in the beauty, you will see God’s fingerprints. When I look at Mary, and when I look at Jesus in her womb, a little baby growing there, I see the most beautiful thing the universe has ever beheld! I see the most unselfish, kind, loving, giving person that has ever existed. I see a God who was so humble that He was willing to go and live in a woman’s body for nine months.

We see a young woman with God in her belly walking around for nine months; and we see God submitting Himself to that experience. Behold Jesus placing Himself in that womb to exist in that world for nine months. The God of the universe who had created all things! Nothing was made that He didn’t make, and yet He submitted Himself to this kind of restrictive lifestyle for nine months.

The world was afraid of God. They saw God as a harsh judge who was going to condemn them. In the Jewish faith, God had tried to reveal Himself as a God of love: as a lamb. But somehow they had missed it. They had crafted in their own image, a God who was judgmental and condemning. And this God, who was so judgmental and condemning, could never be thought of in a way that was comfortable or kind because at any moment He could kill you! At any moment He could burst forth and destroy you. Like when Uzzah touched the ark (of the covenant), God could strike you dead!

And so the universe was afraid and they looked at God with fear. And God shows up on their doorstep and the first thing that this awesome, terrible, fearful, powerful God says to the world is, “Ooh, goo, goo, gah, gah…” The first words out of this God’s mouth is, “Waaaaaaaaaah!” Where’s my mommy? Where’s my milk? I’m thirsty. I’m hungry.” I’m dependent on you.

So here is this God in the form of a little baby; so helpless, this baby can’t live for one day without his mother’s nurturing milk. And what is the welcome He gets? An evil king sends soldiers to slaughter Him and forty babies die! That’s the welcome the world gives to this God who humbled Himself and became a little child.

Why do you think Jesus said, “Except you become as a little child you cannot enter in to the kingdom of heaven?” He knew what it was like to be a little child.

So as our mother is afraid that something bad is going to happen to us, Mary is afraid. And she holds in her arms her little bundle of joy. And, moms, as you look into the face of that little baby, behold your God who has come to save you, to redeem you. Look into the eyes of that little baby boy and see His little helpless fingers, His little helpless toes. How can you be afraid of a God like that?

And so they went to their city. They registered. They gave birth in the stable behind the Inn and the shepherds came and worshiped Him. And Jesus grew. And in verse 39, it says, “So when they had performed all things according to the law, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth , and the child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon Him.”

Think of that little boy as He grew up and became strong! Think of that strong fifteen-year-old boy filled with the Spirit, filled with wisdom, with the grace of God upon Him. How can you be afraid and terrorized of a little baby who grows into a strong, wise, graceful young man?

You know the devil said that God was evil, that He was harsh, that He never sacrificed anything, that He was mean. Then Jesus is born. He lives as a kind young man, strong and wise, and He wishes you no ill. He comes here and is born in Bethlehem , grows up and becomes a godly young man who grows into a powerful young man.

At the prime of His life at thirty years of age, when He was old enough to become a priest, He enters the ministry. Mary watches Him minister for three-and-a-half years. She expects Jesus to be made king of the Jews and for the glory days of Solomon to return, for the gold to be the currency of the realm, and silver becomes like useless and unwanted stones. Everybody’s got gold, and everybody’s rich. Instead, they take her baby, now a man, and nail Him to a cross. She watches in horror as her son is treated like a criminal and brutally murdered.

And now this little baby that she held in her arms and raised, who became a wise and strong and graceful young man, who became a teacher and went into the ministry, who made her proud as He went from place to place healing the sick – she thought Surely, they’re going to love my boy. Look at all the good He’s doing. Look at all the people He’s healing! The glory days of King Solomon are just around the corner! And the apostles were telling her “Your son’s going to be the king of Israel !”

She saw Judas as he scurried around trying to get the people to make Jesus king. The little boy she carried in her arms and heard Him cry the first time and fed Him at her breast; the little boy that she had raised and watched grow strong and beautiful; the little boy who became a man and went into the ministry, Who had made her so proud, was now was taken down form the Cross – His body broken and beaten and bruised. His body was laid once again in Mary’s arms! This is what they did to the kind, loving baby God who showed us His love. They broke Him apart and they crucified Him. And yet He went from the cradle to the Cross because that’s why He was born. As horrible a thought as it may be, He was born to die!

He had to die. That little baby had to die! That baby had to grow up – He had to die because we would be lost if He didn’t sacrifice himself.

This Jesus was given to us as a gift by God, and as a gift of service from a young teenage girl, who was willing to give her life if need be, so that the plan of salvation could be fruitful.

I’d like to tell you the story of a modern servant of God. Another young woman, one who also gave herself to God’s service discovered it’s not easy being in the ministry. It’s a high calling; it’s one of the greatest privileges but sometimes it’s very difficult. Jesus really had to struggle sometimes. His ministry was not easy. It was a hard life.

Jesus said, “Except a person die and get planted in the ground; unless the seed dies and is planted, no life can come forth.” And it’s a hard truth, but in this sinful world, unless people die, unless people are born again – they cannot enter the kingdom of God . We’ve talked about the paradoxes of the Bible and it is a paradox that we have to die in order to live; that we have to be crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live in Him.

I’d like to tell you the true story of a young woman who was a pioneer pastor’s wife:

“I remember a day one winter that stands out like a boulder in my life. The weather was unusually cold. Our salary had not been regularly paid and it did not meet our needs when it was. My husband was away much of the time traveling from one district to another.

Our boys were well but my little Ruth was ailing. And at best none of us were decently clothed. I patched and re-patched with spirit sinking to the lowest ebb. The water gave out in the well and the wind blew through the cracks in the floor.

The people in the parish were kind and generous, too, but the settlement was new and each family was struggling for itself. Little by little, at the time I needed it most my faith began to waiver. Early in my life, I was taught to take God at His word and I though my lesson was well-learned. I had lived upon the promises in dark times until I knew, as David did, he was my fortress and my deliverer. Now, a daily prayer for forgiveness was all that I could offer. My husband’s overcoat was hardly thick enough for October and he was often obliged to ride on horseback miles to attend some meeting or funeral. Many times our breakfast was Indian cake and a cup of tea without sugar.

Christmas was coming and the children always expected their presents and I remember the ice was thick and smooth and the boys were each craving a pair of skates. Ruth in some unaccountable way had taken a fancy that the dolls I made were no longer suitable. She wanted a nice large one and insisted on praying for it. I knew it seemed impossible but, oh, I wanted to give each child a present!

It seemed as if God had deserted us but I did not tell my husband all this. He worked so earnestly and heartily I supposed him to be as hopeful as ever. I kept the sitting room cheerful with the open fire and I tried to serve our scanty meals as invitingly as I could.

The morning before Christmas, James was called to see a sick man. I put a piece of bread in for his lunch. It was the best I could do. I wrapped my plaid shawl around his neck then tried to whisper a promise as I often had but the words died away upon my lips. I let him go without it.

That was a dark, hopeless day.

I coaxed the children to bed early, for I could not bear their talk. When Ruth went to bed, I listened to her prayer. She asked for the last time most explicitly for her doll and for skates for her brothers. Her bright face looked so lovely when she whispered to me, “You know, I think they’ll be here early tomorrow morning, mama.” That I thought I could move heaven and earth to save her from her disappointment I sat down alone and gave way to the most bitter tears.

Before long, James returned chilled and exhausted. He drew off his boots; the thick stockings slipped off with them and his feet were red and cold. “I wouldn’t treat a dog that way let alone a faithful servant.” I said. But then as I glanced up and saw that hard lines in his face and the look of despair, it flashed across me, James had let go, too.

I brought him a cup of tea. I was feeling sick and dizzy. At the very thought, he took my hand and we sat for an hour without a word. I wanted to die and meet God and tell Him Your promise isn’t true! My soul was so full of rebellious despair.

There came a sound of bells, a quick stop, and a loud knock. James sprang up to open it. There stood Deacon White. “A box came by express just before dark. I brought it around as soon as I could get away. Reckon it might be for Christmas.” At any rate, I said to myself, they shall have it tonight. “Here is a turkey my wife asked me to fetch along. And these other things, I believe, belong to you.” There was a basket of potatoes, a bag of flour. Talking all the time, he hurried in with the box and then with a hearty “Good night!” he rode away.

Still, without speaking, James found a chisel and opened the box. He drew out first a thick red blanket and we saw that beneath that was full of clothing. It seemed at that moment as if Christ had fastened upon me a look of reproach. James sat down. He covered his face with his hands. “I can’t touch them!” He exclaimed. “I haven’t been true! Just when God was trying to see if I could hold out. Do you think I could not see how you were suffering and I had no word of comfort to offer? I know now how to preach the awfulness of turning away from God.”

“James,” I said, clinging to him, “Don’t take it to heart like this. I am to blame. I ought to have helped you. We will ask Him together to forgive us.”

“Wait a moment, dear. I cannot talk now.” He said. Then he went into another room. I knelt down and my heart broke. In an instant all the darkness, all the stubborn rebelliousness rolled away. Jesus came again and stood before me but with the loving word, “Daughter.” Sweet promises of tenderness and joy flooded my soul. I was so lost in praise and gratitude that I forget everything else. I don’t know how long it was before James came back but I knew he, too, had found peace.

“Now, dear wife,” he said, “Let us thank God together.” He then poured out words of praise, Bible words, for nothing else could express our thanksgiving!

It was eleven o’clock. The fire was low and there was the great box – nothing touched but the one blanked we needed. We piled on some fresh logs, lighted two candles, and began to examine our treasures. We drew out an overcoat. I made James try it on. Just the right size! And I danced around him for all my lightheartedness had returned. Then there was a cloak and he insisted on seeing me in it. My spirits always infected him and we both laughed like foolish children.

There was a warm suit of clothes; also, three pairs of woolen hose. There was a dress for me and yards of flannel, a pair of Arctic overshoes for each of us. And mine was a slip of paper; I have it now and mean to hand it down to my children. It was Jacob’s blessing to Asher. “Thy shoes shall be as iron and brass and as thy days so shall thy strength be.” And the gloves, evidently for James, the same dear hand had written, “I the Lord will hold thy right hand saying unto thee ‘Fear not. I will help thee.’”

It was a wonderful box and packed with thoughtful care. There was a suit of clothes for each of the boys and a little red gown for Ruth. There were mittens, scarves, hoods, and down the center, a box. We opened it and there was a great wax doll! I burst into tears again. James wept with me for joy. It was too much. And then we both exclaimed again for close behind it came two pairs of skates. There were books for each of us to read. Some of them I had wished to see, stories for the children to read, aprons and underclothing, knots of ribbon, a gay little tidy, a lovely photograph, needles, and buttons and thread; actually, a muff and envelope containing a ten-dollar gold piece!

“At last!” we cried over everything we took up and it was past midnight. We were faint and exhausted even with happiness.

I made a cup of tea, cut a fresh loaf of bread, and James boiled some eggs. We drew up to the table before the fire. How we enjoyed our supper! Then we sat talking over our life and how sure our God had always proven to be. He always helped us.

You should have seen the children the next morning. The boys raised a shout at the sight of their skates. Ruth caught up her doll and hugged it tightly without a word. Then she went into her room and knelt by her bed. When she came back she whispered to me, “I knew it would be there, mama, but I wanted to thank God just the same, you know.”

We went to the window and there were our boys out of the house already skating on the ice with all their might.

My husband and I both returned thanks to the church in the East that sent us the box, and I’ve tried to return thanks to God every day since. Hard times have come again, and again, but we have trusted Him. We have dreaded nothing so much as doubt of His protective care. Over and over again, we have proved that they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

Are you still afraid of God? How can you not love baby Jesus, a God who will take care of a pastor and his wife like that? And I know He loves you as much as any pastor. I know He died on the Cross for each one of us. I know He came as a baby so we wouldn’t be afraid of Him. This Christmas, don’t be afraid. Love God. Thank Him because He loves you.

Father in heaven, thank you for sending Jesus to the cradle so that He could go to the Cross. Please forgive us for doubting You, for being afraid. Please forgive us for not believing; that You really do love us; that we can trust You, and that that little baby is who You are. We love you. Forgive us for our sins. May the baby Jesus live in the cradle of our heart as we die with Him on that Cross to live a life by faith in Christ. May we follow in the footsteps of these unselfish young women. May we be willing as they were to lay down their lives for others. May we follow Jesus and give all that we have for others that men may find this loving God and surrender to him we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Transcription: Wendy J. Riebel

This sermon is also available on cassette tape.

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