Fred B. Craddock: Joy is contagious

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. Luke 2:12-18

“It was customary in the Roman Empire for poets and orators to declare peace and prosperity at the birth of one who was to become emperor. In that familiar pattern, but from heaven, comes the good news of joy and peace occasioned by the birth, not of an emperor, but of him called Savior, Christ, and Lord.

And not in palace halls but in the fields to the poor and lowly, the news comes…First, the sign: one would expect that the sign to the frightened shepherds would be some extraordinary proof. For example, as a sign a heavenly host will now appear. Instead, the sign is as common as another baby born to the poor, to be found in a feeding trough.

Second, it is from the shepherds that Mary and Joseph hear of the angel and the heavenly host. These two, busy with the chores of childbirth under the most difficult of conditions, do not themselves experience heaven’s visit but heart of it from the shepherds. How unusual! But theirs is the baby, and that is enough…The stable is bare, but the glory of God floods the story.”

Fred B. Craddock in Luke: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009) 35-36.

The joy of Advent is contagious. Look at the lowly shepherds. They hear the news from the heavenly host and head not to a palace but straight to the stable to visit the poor couple. They find Mary and Joseph with the baby wrapped in rags and they tell them everything they had seen and heard.

Are we as enthusiastic today? If our joy is diminished at all, the text offers the remedy for restoring our joy. Reflect on the proclamation that came with the sign: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Only God can bring peace and it comes not with a sword and power but in grace and humility. Anyone, on whom God’s grace (that is, “his favor”) rests, finds peace.

Do you know someone who lacks peace or whose life is filled with sorrow? Like the lowly shepherds, since you have experienced God’s favor, His grace, your privilege is to share the joy with others. Share generously.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:8-11

“The angel remains anonymous since only the message matters. The shepherds’ great fear will be overcome by great joy, and that joy will extend to “all the people”…The announcement of good news was a term familiar to the ancient audience from Roman propaganda. It was used for the glad tidings related to the birth of an heir to the emperor, his coming of age, and his accession to the throne. The term will be completely redefined by the gospel story of Jesus…The juxtaposition of nominatives “Christ Lord” is striking and should be read as in apposition. The terms clarify that Jesus is not just another deliverer like one of the judges of Israel but the Savior.”

David E. Garland in Luke: Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids; Zondervan, 2011) 122-123.

Today marks the beginning of the third week of Advent. The theme this week is joy. Of course, I am joyful today because it’s my 48th birthday and our daughter, Sophie, returns home from her first semester at San Diego Christian College.

Bigger news, however, than any circumstance in my life is the event that would shape all of human history. The birth of the “Christ Lord” reflects the generosity of God to all people because the Savior is for everyone, everywhere!

We don’t often think of such a joy-filled message triggering a reaction of fear but consider the delivery. The shepherds were frightened because “the glory of the Lord” showed around them. The radiance rocked their world.

I marvel at the language of the message. Garland keenly notes how God “completely redefined” the meaning of good news: taking an idea even commoners would have understood linked to earthly emperors and affixes it to the new born Savior “for you.”

I can only imagine their reaction. “For us?” The shepherds believed and showed up at the stable, and their reality was “completely redefined” that day. Many people, however, can’t fathom that the Christ of Christmas can bring them joy. Know anyone like that? Let’s pray for them right now.

Hear our prayer Father. Please dispel the fear that holds people captive. Drive away the doubt and disbelief. Open their eyes to see that joy is only found in Jesus. Help all people realize that the Savior is for everyone. Do this we pray by your Holy Spirit. Amen.

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” Haggai 2:6-9

“In this first extended eschatological vision of the book, Haggai, in clearly apocalyptic terms, describes the tremendous upheavals that will attend the epiphany of [the Lord Almighty] in the last days. When nature and the nations suffer convulsion, the peoples of the earth will come to recognize the sovereignty of [the Lord Almighty] and render the homage due Him. That will take the form particularly of tribute brought to the new Temple of [the Lord Almighty], which, in that day of His coming, will be filled with a glory far surpassing that of the Temple of Solomon. Climaxing it all will be the peace of [the Lord Almighty] centered in that glorious place.”

Eugene H. Merrill in Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi: An Exegetical Commentary (Dallas: Biblical Studies Foundation, 2003) 40.

Our hope during Advent is rooted in the faithfulness of God who has fulfilled many promises in the Christ child. There are also numerous prophecies that we are yet awaiting fulfillment with hopeful anticipation. Among them is the day when the peoples of the world will recognize the sovereignty and render their homage to the Lord Almighty. Interestingly in that day, all will surrender everything to God and experience peace.

My advice this Advent is this. Don’t wait until that day to surrender everything to God. It’s all His already anyway. Give to God what is God’s (everything), and experience the peace of the Prince of peace today, this Advent, and the rest of your life. This is what it means to learn to actively wait. We take hold of that which is desired by all nations now by rightly placing our hope.

The Lord gave the word: great was the company of the preachers. Psalm 68:11

“The word is the announcement of the victory won by God the Warrior. The celebration begins with women singing victory songs. They also divide the spoils that were taken in battle as the enemy armies rapidly retreat. This picture is being addressed to those who stayed behind [68:11-14]. Since they did not participate in the battle, they have no part in the celebration.”

Tremper Longman III in Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary (TOTC; Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2014) 259.

This text of Scripture is another memorable song from Handel’s Messiah. While I am thankful that our generous God has given us His Word, the Bible, the word in this passage points to the announcement of victory. Our God is mighty to save, and the reason we wait in anticipation for Him is because our world is filled with troubles that are way beyond our pay grade. Isn’t it awesome that we get to trust God the Warrior to fight for us?

It is, but not everyone experiences His victory or the spoils. Longman also rightly notes that the larger context reveals that those who don’t participate in the battle have no part in the celebration. Wow! Are you on the sidelines of life or are you actively waiting by making known the good news of Jesus? Advent is about learning how to actively wait. Don’t miss out on the victory the Lord desires for you (or the spoils that go with it)!

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Psalm 24:7-10

“Twice the people ask in antiphonal chorus, “Who is [he] this King of glory?” (vv. 8, 10)…He is Yahweh (three times, vv. 8, 10)…He brings blessing, victory, and vindication to his people because he is their God and Savior. He is the Warrior…The descriptive phrase “strong and might” and “mighty in battle portray him as the warrior for his people…coming not to fight against them but for them…He is “Lord Almighty” (“of hosts”) as he commands both the heavenly beings and the host of stars and constellations. The Creator-God is the King of glory and has come down to dwell in the midst of the city of human beings.”

Willem A. VanGemeren in Psalms (The Expositors Bible Commentary; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008) 262.

During both Lent and Advent, I love to listen to Handel’s Messiah. The three movements (collections of songs) are comprised of Scriptures that recount the prophecies, the passion, and the promises of the Messiah. This biblical text from Psalms is one of my favorite triumphant songs in Messiah.

While are various theories regarding the function of the gates and the doors in this text from Psalms, let’s focus on the role of people. They are to lift up their heads. In plain terms: “Look!” The King of glory, the Lord of hosts “has come down to dwell in the midst of the city of human beings.”

As we prepare our hearts for the arrival of our Lord, let’s lift up our heads. Let’s give him our full attention. What are the things that distract us? Are you struggling with a problem or difficulty? David, the psalmist would tell you to let the Lord fight for you. What a generous God!

How do I focus? I listen to this edition of Handel’s Messiah over and over. I want to pay attention so that I don’t miss the Christ of Christmas. The Lord of hosts, the God of heaven and earth, has come to dwell in our midst, and I am convinced that he “comes in” to those who welcome him.

“You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:9-11

“Now the nation itself comes out of the valley and climbs the mountaintop to declare God’s victory over the enemy. To bring good news means “to preach the good news.” The good news in that day was the defeat of Babylon and the release of the captive Jews (52:7-9). The good news today is the defeat of sin and Satan by Jesus Christ and the salvation of all who trust in Him (61:1-3; Luke 4:18-19). God’s arm is a mighty arm for winning the battle (40:10), but it is also a loving arm for carrying His weary lambs (40:11). “We are coming home!” would certainly be good news to the devastated cities of Judah (1:7; 36:1; 37:26).”

Warren Wiersbe in Be Comforted (Isaiah): Feeling Secure in the Arms of God (The BE Series Commentary; David C. Cook, 1992) 131.

God’s people were not only delivered by God; they were subsequently commissioned by the Sovereign Lord to announce salvation to the world. Notice the imperative that accompanies the exhortation for them to go to a high mountain and proclaim this: don’t be afraid. So what is the good news God’s people must fearlessly make known to a lost and broken world: “Here is your God!”

Sovereign Lord, give us opportunities to share the good news this Advent. The world is looking for hope, and we have a watchful anticipation because we have come to know You. Help us gently and generously show at least one person the way to You this season. Dispel our fears by your Holy Spirit and empower us to bring good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 30:1-3

“In a vision Isaiah sees the Lord Himself rising over Zion like the sun and filling the whole city with His glory, so that it becomes a magnet drawing all nations towards it. Although it is focused on Zion, the vision of this magnificent chapter is world-wide in its scope. It begins with thick darkness covering the whole earth, as at the beginning of creation itself. But here it is spiritual darkness, the darkness of moral evil and spiritual blindness…But then, as in Genesis, the scene is transformed as light pierces the darkness and a whole new world begins to emerge.”

Barry G. Webb in The Message of Isaiah (Bible Speaks Today; Downers Grove: IVP, 1996) 231.

Jenni and I woke up at 2:50am MT to catch our flight back to Colorado. Looking outside our hotel “darkness” shrouds the city, but the text adds that “thick darkness” covers the people. Think about it. The reason things are so awful in this world is because people are lost in the blackness of sin.

There is nothing more generous than light that pierces the thick darkness and spiritual blindness that people experience and shows them the way. Who will see it? Isaiah adds that the Lord will arise and nations, that is, the peoples of the world and their leaders will come to your light.

Sitting in our nation’s capital this morning and reading this gives us comfort. The light of the world, the Christ of Christmas, can light the way and draw people from darkness (in Webb’s words) like a magnet. Do it Lord! That’s our proverbial grown up Christmas wish today!

A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him. Isaiah 11:1-2a

“Our salvation comes from something small, tender, and vulnerable, something hardly noticeable. God, who is the Creator of the Universe, comes to us in smallness, weakness, and hiddenness.

I find this a hopeful message. Somehow, I keep expecting loud and impressive events to convince me and others of God’s saving power; but over and over again I am reminded that spectacles, power plays, and big events are the ways of the world. Our temptation is to be distracted by them and made blind to the “shoot that shall sprout from the stump.”

When I have no eyes for the small signs of God’s presence – the smile of a baby, the carefree play of children, the words of encouragement and gestures of love offered by friends – I will always remain tempted to despair.

The small child of Bethlehem, the unknown young man of Nazareth, the rejected preacher, the naked man on the cross, he asks for my full attention. The work of our salvation takes place in the midst of a world that continues to shout, scream, and overwhelm us with its claims and promises. But the promise is hidden in the shoot that sprouts from the stump, a shoot that hardly anyone notices.”

Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) in “Reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent” from the Henri Nouwen Society.

Do we have eyes to see the small signs of God’s presence this Advent? Nouwen suggests we must look for “something hardly noticeable” to avoid the shouts of despair that fill our world. In my meetings today and wherever you find yourself, let us together remember that God’s generosity through can be found in even the smallest miracles of life.

God give us eyes to see the tiny signs of Your presence, so that as we behold You at work all around us, our waiting in a world of despair becomes a watchful hope and unswerving confidence that You are with us, and faithful to all Your promises. Hear our prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:1-5

“Here the directness and the power are to remind the people of God’s ultimate tenderness and kindness…This tone of kindness and gentleness is reinforced in several ways. The opening words themselves are not mighty words, but homely, common ones…Furthermore, these are the words spoken to my people by your God…

The cause for encouragement is solely the activity if the Lord, His coming into the sphere of human activity. Neither Israel nor any other human agency is the cause of the comfort here extended. It is the coming of God, the revelation of Him in human sight…

The one thing the people can do is to prepare the way for the coming King…it speaks of an act of faith on the part of the people. They do not yet see the King, but they dare to believe that He is coming.”

John Oswalt in The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 40-66 (NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998) 49-52.

As the second week of Advent begins our waiting deepens and the watchful theme of hope comes into view. How we live reveals what we “dare to believe” about hope. Will we prepare the way of the Lord, so that all people will see it together?

Take five minutes today and reflect on where you would be without the generous gift of the hope of Christ in a world filled with despair. Conclude your time by asking God to reveal one person to you to comfort with the hope of Christ this week. Dare to believe that the Lord may reveal Himself to them through you this Advent.

Today is my last scheduled trip of 2015. I have meetings at the ECFA offices outside of Washington D.C. tomorrow followed by the annual Christmas celebration. Jenni will accompany me. It will be a special time. We feel as excited as little children on Christmas eve.

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3

“Abram’s part is expressed in a single though searching command, while the heaped up I will’s reveal how much greater is the Lord’s part. At the same time their futurity emphasizes the bare faith that was required: Abram must exchange the known for the unknown and find his reward in what he could not live to see (a great nation), in what was intangible (name), and in what he would impart (blessing).”

Derek Kidner in Genesis (Downers Grove: IVP, 1967) 114.

It’s fitting to note that the lineage in Matthew’s Gospel starts with Abraham and charts the 42 generations that connect him with Jesus (cf. Matthew 1). In other words, God accomplished precisely what He promised.

It’s also important to remember Abram’s role as it mirrors ours today: bare faith. Following Jesus is about exchanging the known for the unknown and finding our reward in what we cannot see.

At this point, you may be asking the question: What does this have to do with generosity?” Again, my answer is, “Everything!”

If you want to be generous, don’t try to make a lot of money. To be a conduit of blessing to the world, like Abram, you must align yourself with the Source of all blessing, God, and do what He says. That requires bare faith.