DECEMBER EDITION... 2018...  by Dr. Keith J. Wise

INTRODUCTION: The month of December has in our memory always been associated with Christmas.  But as one considers the descriptions of the Middle East and especially the area of Israel, it was probably either late in summer or early fall when the angels appear to the shepherds.  We can't help but be overwhelmed by the vast preparation that God the Father made for Christ the Son to arrive and complete the plan of redemption for the world.  His coming was foretold, announced and almost hurmously revealed as we look more closely at the notice made to the Priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth in Luke chapter one.  John the Baptist who would latter say that he would proclaim "...make straight the way of the Lord," was the symbol of prophet Elijah.

John the Baptist's coming was nearly as miraculous as that of Jesus as we compare his received announcement of having a child in old age and that of Mary, a virgin, receiving her visitation as a young virgin women.  These events of John the Baptist and Jesus our savior can teach us a number of important lessons.

A. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus.  How may we prepare the way so Jesus the Christ can reach others through us?

B. John the Baptist warned some of his listeners to produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  What is this fruit and how do we produce it?

C. Some of John's Jewish audience mistakenly trusted in their blood relationship with Abraham to save them.  Do we ever trust in other devices to save us rather than simple obedience to Christ in his sacrificial death, burial and resurrection?

D. John the Baptist used agricultural illustrations to give meaning to great spiritual lessons.  He noted the picture of the  Lord separating the wheat from the chaff?  How do we make sure we are wheat and not chaff?  

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: LUKE 1: 5-45 FOR STUDY. (See below)

II. DIGGING DEEPER... "A census of the entire Roman world."

God has always used earthly circumstances to direct his heavenly will and purposes.  If we read Luke 2:1-3 Caesar Augustus having consolidated the Mediterranean basin after years of civil war, was determined to unite his empire beyond simple military conquest.  To to this a census was ordered to determine his population and access.  The archaeology now confirms this and many other census' were taken over the years of what has become known as the Pax Romana.  

Skeptics tend to confuse the ancient calendars with modern ones and sometimes forget to compare apples and oranges.  The scriptural notation is 'This was the first census while Quirinius was governor of Syria'(Luke 2:2).  We know from Roman archives that in fact, Sentius Saturninus was governor of Syria at the time of the census in 4B.C. when Jesus was born.  So how do we reconcile this contradiction?  

Renowned archaeologist, Sir William Ramsey, discovered that while Sentius Saturninus was governor of Syria at the time of the census in 4B.C.(the majority of scholarship place Jesus' birth between 6-4 B.C.),  Quirinius controlled the armies and directed the foreign policy of Syria.  There are numerous examples from Roman History of such an arrangement.  Quirinius was the senior of the two officials.  Thus, both of these statements are true at the same time and not contradictory. Luke makes reference to the already recognized arrangement.

     A. BACK TO GOD'S PREPARATION: Earlier we discussed the experience of Zacharias and Elisabeth in regards to John the Baptist.  Zacharias was a priest (Luke 1:5) in Jerusalem, and Josephus tells us there were more than twenty thousand priests living in Judea "in the days of Herod the king."  These priest were a mixed lot by the time we get to the New Testament record. Any number were like those whom Malachi denounced as degrading the Temple services of the day(Mal.2:1ff.).  On the other hand, we are told after the resurrection that "a great number of the priests were obedient to the faith." (Acts 6:7)  As we can see on several occasions in scripture, God raises up good people in the worst of times.

We are thus introduced to the priest Zacharias. He had been careful to observe the law regarding the marriage of priests (Lev. 21:7ff.).  He had married the devout daughter of a priest.  She was a descendant of Aaron.  She was named Elisabeth after the wife of Aaron.(Luke 1:5, Exodus 6:23). Their home was an example of domestic harmony.  Their personal lives were beyond reproach.  Everything they did brought glory to their Creator.  Yet they were childless.

As Zacharias was performing the ritual before the Holy of Holies of burning incense, suddenly there stood before him was no mortal man, but and angel of the Lord (Luke 1:11).  He was on the "right side of the altar."  This would place him between the altar and the golden candlestick.  On the left side of the altar was the Table of Shewbread (Ex.40:22).  The angel identified himself as Gabriel.(Luke 1:19).

In the presence of the supernatural, Zacharias "feared and trembled" (Luke 1:12).  The angel used the lovely phrase which was to become almost the theme song of the gospels, "Fear not."  Then he informed Zacharias that his prayer was heard.  Did I miss something...what prayer?  As we read on we know he and Elisabeth had prayed for children, but instead of responding to the angel in faith he produced a grinding excuse of pathetic dimensions.  He said, "I am an old man, and my wife is well stricken in years" (Luke 1:18).  He expressed almost a reluctant hopelessness attending this experience. Had he forgotten about Abraham and Sara?

The offering of incense was symbolic of prayer (Revelation 5:8, Malachi 1:11).  The people worshipping in the courts of the Temple were praying while the sweet-smelling smoke was rising from the altar within.  The leader chanted the age-old prayer, "May the God of mercy enter the sanctuary, and be pleased to accept the sacrifice of His people."  The response of the congregation was, "Blessed be the name of the glory of the Kingdom of God forever."

When the priest re-entered the courtyard from the Holy Place, he dismissed the people with the traditional Benediction.  "The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace" (Numbers 6:24ff. KJV)

On this occasion, the people grew restive waiting for Zacharias.  It was not merely that they wanted his blessing so that they could go home.  It was contrary to all precedent for a priest to prolong his stay in the Holy Place.  They did not know what kept him (Luke 1:21).

When he finally appeared before the assembly, he was unable to pronounce the Benediction.  He stood before them silent.  He had to dismiss them with signs.  They went away understanding that "he had seen a vision" (Luke 1:22).

Zacharias returned to his wife in the Judean hills.  The name of the city is not mentioned.  Several oral traditions exist concerning the days and weeks before the "visitation of Mary" to the house of Elisabeth. (Luke 1:39-55)  In due time, John the Baptist was born.  On the occasion of his circumcision, the speech of his father Zacharias was restored.  "Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit," and sang the glorious song known as the Benedictus (Luke 1:67ff).

In a footnote of interest, the biblical record now has Zacharias fading from the scene. However, several of the early Church Fathers, including Origen, identify him with the Zacharias who is mentioned in Matthew 23:35.  They further allege that this brutal murder was the work of Herod.  If that is so, then Herod the Great murdered Zacharias, and Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, murdered John the Baptist, son of Zacharias. (Matthew 14:1ff.).

III. NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT... "When Jesus Came..."Angels" (Sermon)

Text: Luke 2:13-15

Introduction: The Bible has much to say about Angels.  In this episode of the Angel announcements to the Shepherds, we see a distinction between "An Angel of the Lord" and a "multitude of the heavenly hosts."  (vs. 9 and verse 13)  At first glance we do notice that dramatic difference in English.  However, in the Old Testament "the angel of the Lord" appears several times and in several special places. He appeared to Hagar (Gen.16:7ff.); to Moses at Horeb (Ex.3:2); to David at the threshing-floor of Araunah (I Chron. 21:6ff.); to Balaam (Num. 22:22); to Gideon to lead Israel to victory (Judges 6:11ff.); to the mother of Samson (Judges 13:3ff.) to answer Hezekiah's prayer for deliverance from the hand of Sennacherib(II Kings 19:35); finally to Zechariah the father of John the Baptist (1:10-11ff.).  If you think about the Christmas story and the announcement of the Angel to the Shepherds, it is anything but a "Silent Night" as a popular hymn so sentimentally like to refrain.

I. It was not silent in Bethlehem- (Luke 2:7) The hope of the ages was born. The Jewish view of Shalom, encompassed the community.  There would have people outside the door, even if Mary and Joseph were alone.  

II. It was not silent in the Judean hills- (Luke 2:8-12, 16-20) The news and command of the angle suddenly "changed the plans of the shepherds."  They were going to see "this thing which had come to pass."

III. It was not silent in the realms of Heaven- (Luke 2:13,14) Joining the Angel of the Lord was "a multitude or company of heavenly host praising God and saying, 'glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of whom his favor rests." 

IV. It could not have been silent in Hell- (Genesis 3:13-15)- The promise made in the beginning with the fall of man was now coming to bear it's eternal fruit.  The "seed of women" was born and would "crush" the serpent's head.  The enemy knew his time was short. The "Lord Immanuel" was born.  The promise of peace by the prince of peace was coming to fruition.  We now so sing adoringly "...Oh, come to us, abide with us our Lord Immanuel."

Conclusion:

IV QUOTES AND QUIPS FOR CHRISTMAS....

OH COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL...  The origin of the world's most widely known Christmas carol was hidden as a mystery until the early decades of the 20th century.  From the discovery of a manuscript by an English vicar, it now appears that the words were composed and set to music by a John Francis Wade in 1744. 

It is truly an international carol.  Wade, an Englishman living in France, wrote the words in Latin.  It was later known as the Portuguese Hymn.  This may be because it was early used in the chapel of the Portuguese London embassy.

The song has been translated into 120 languages.  Although more than forty English translations have been made, the best known today was done by Frederick Oakeley in 1852.  The majestic melody captured the imagination of Americans, and has seen service as a tune in other than Christmas settings. Sung to the words of "How Firm a Foundation," it was a favorite of such national leaders as Theodore Roosevelt and Robert E. Lee.

Word-pictures are painted so clearly by the song that children dearly enjoy singing it.  Many learned the Latin words, too, which begin "Adeste fideles..." as this melody expresses the triumphant message of the incarnation. 

JUST THINKING... (A Quote by Daniel Webster)-  "If we work upon marble, it will perish.  If we work upon brass, time will efface it.  If we rear temples, they will crumble into dust. But if we work upon man's immortal souls, if we imbue them with high principles, with the just fear of God and love of their fellow men, we engrave them on those tablets something which no time can efface, and which will brighten and brighten through all eternity."

A PERSONAL NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER...

As we end the year of 2018 and look to 2019 I want to thank everyone who reads and appreciates my efforts of enriching your lives.  Ministers who use the sermons and quotes, scholars who "fact check" me, thank you.  For the common, yet splendid reader who just appreciates positive and meaningful enrichment.