A word spoken at the right moment,
How good it is!
Like a custom-made piece of jewelry.
Proverbs 15:23 and 25:11
Words of Warning
(Matthew 2) God warned Joseph that they were in danger and to go to Egypt to keep his family safe. There were also wise men, the Magi, in the Christmas story who traveled a great distance to worship this new baby king. They followed a star in the East all the way to where Jesus was in hiding in Egypt. They worshiped him and brought him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The wisemen were also warned in a dream not to go back home the same way they had come. They knew that if they told Herod how to find Jesus that Herod would harm him, so they heeded the warning and went another route home. After Herod died, Jesus and his family left Egypt and settled in Nazareth. Let’s read our fifth and final Christmas script and light our Christmas candle.
Fifth Christmas Script
Narrator: Jessica is a young woman who has had a hard life. She has been on her own since she was fifteen. Men have always been attracted to her and have taken advantage of her soft and loving heart. She makes a meager living working at a bar in a sleazy part of town. She has a cheap studio apartment within walking distance of the bar, but she has to walk down a dark alley to get there. One Christmas Eve Jessica finished work and headed down the alley to her apartment. For some reason on this particular night, she felt an imminent sense of danger.
Jessica: (thinking to herself) What is the matter with me? I walk down this alley every night. I just need to keep my eyes on the light that I left on in my apartment to help guide me home.
Narrator: As Jessica walks deeper into the alley, she hears a noise and the sounds of scuffling feet.
Jessica: (alarmed) What was that? I should have brought my flashlight. I can hardly see a thing.
Gangster: (whispering) Be quiet; she’ll hear you. She’s a cute little thing.
Narrator: Jessica proceeds cautiously down the alley watching for any predators that might be hiding in the dark. She trips on something and hears a voice that says, “Stop, don’t go any further.” Jessica doesn’t hesitate. She turns around and runs back toward the lights from the street. She hears the sound of footsteps pursuing her. Scared, she can hardly breathe.
Gangster: Grab her! Don’t let her get away! I really need that tip money that she carries home!
Narrator: But just before they overtake her, a large ominous man rises out from a pile of cardboard boxes blocking their path from her. The man is bathed in a blinding light that paralyzes them and makes them stop in their tracks. They take one good long look at the man and then run for their lives.
Question and Comments
We usually take notice when we are warned to stay away from a life-threatening situation if we are wise. What types of occurrences tend to take your breath away?
Nothing was quite as spectacular as the entrance of Emmanuel to planet Earth. It was as spectacular as anything that you have seen in any movie, complete with pyrotechnics, but without the animation and the computer-generated special effects. But, at the moment of Jesus’ birth, it was as if the whole world held its breath, fell silent and nature stood still. Max Lucado describes this moment in his book, Grace. “He (Jesus) stooped. (Down from heaven) Low enough to sleep in a manager, work in a carpentry shop, sleep in a fishing boat. Low enough to rub shoulders with crooks and lepers. (And you, I may add) Low enough to be spat upon, slapped, nailed and speared. Low. Low enough to be buried……And then he stood up. Up from the slab of death. Upright in Joseph’s tomb and right into Satan’s face. Tall. High. He stood up for the woman (Caught in adultery) and silenced her accusers, and he does the same for you.” The writer of that familiar hymn, “Joy to the World,” pointed out that when Jesus comes back at the end of days that the joy of the whole world will be unrestrained. Even the rocks will cry out. Now, that will take your breath away.
Words of Blessing
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands. My soul will satisfy as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalm 63:3-5
My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. Proverbs 4:20-23
Numbers 6:24-6 is an example of an ancient blessing, and I pray this for you.
“The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
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