The Ordinary Life

Revealed

Around two thousand years ago, a group of astrologers (aka Magi) journeyed to a humble home in the town known as the house of bread (Bethlehem). There the Magi, perhaps three (we don’t really know), presented the young Hebrew boy who would, as a man, refer to himself as the Bread of life, with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The Twelve Days of Christmas which began on December 26th and culminated on January 6th end with the celebration of Epiphany, a word meaning “to reveal.” In the giving of those three gifts, the Magi revealed (perhaps not even clear to them) the role, identity and destiny of the young Child.

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV)

10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11 (NIV)

Gold
The precious metal, today worth approximately $1560 per ounce, was a sign of Jesus’ royal status. Surely a fitting gift for the One later known to humankind as the King of kings.

Frankincense
By giving frankincense, they acknowledged Jesus as Deity. While others, save Joseph and Mary, viewed the Hebrew boy as just that, the visitors, through the power of the Holy Spirit, saw Him as one worthy of worship. As my four favorite words of “O Holy Night” declare, “Fall on your knees!”

Myrrh
Myrrh was a resin commonly used to prepare a body for burial. As we learn in the gospel, Jesus was born to die.

Later in time, the Recipient of the Magi’s gifts became the gift-giver. It is the greatest of all gifts.

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26-28 (NIV)

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20/20 Perspective

I hesitated to grab the low-hanging fruit blog topic for today. Surely blogs, vlogs, and the like will fill social media with comments - some poetic and some prose - about how tomorrow marks the day that the new year's number matches the numbers that represent "perfect" vision. My hesitation, however, lost out as the theme continues to grab my attention. Allow me to grab yours for a couple of minutes.

As a refresher course, I will explain the meaning of the measurement of vision.

20/20 vision means that a person sees objects with clarity at 20 feet. It is thus "perfect" vision.
20/80 vision means that a person sees objects with clarity at 80 feet only by moving forward 60 feet.
20/10 vision means that a person sees objects with clarity at 20 feet that a person with "perfect" vision must be 10 feet away from. Thus better than "perfect" vision.

Dr. Seuss' wonderful book My Many Colored Days provides a creative way to explain the many different feelings one experiences. Some bright days are such because we feel as happy as a circus seal. Other days are dull because we feel sour and gray.

In the year to come, you and I will have many days of many colors - happy orange, dull gray, and the like. Jesus declared, with great honesty, "In this world you will have trouble." He also spoke of people as blessed and bearers of light. Our days will vary.

Will our vision vary, also? Not our eyesight. Our perspective. We need to keep our eyes (our perspective) focused on what truly matters. What truly matters? God matters. Since God matters, we need to focus on Him. Daniel did.

8 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.
9 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
10 Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
11 Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.
12 Remember the wonders he has done,
1 Chronicles 16:8-12a (NIV)

23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
25 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and joy are in his dwelling place.
28 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering and come before him.
    Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
30 Tremble before him, all the earth!
    The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
    let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
    let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
33 Let the trees of the forest sing,
    let them sing for joy before the Lord,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.
35 Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;
    gather us and deliver us from the nations,
    that we may give thanks to your holy name,
    and glory in your praise.”
36 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting.
Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”
1 Chronicles 16:23-36 (NIV)

In 2020, no matter the quality of your eyesight, focus on God. He will help you see.

Happy New Year!

#ordinarylives

"Shades Drawn Tight"

A few years ago I composed a poem within which I reflected on the amazing gift of God's grace. I share that with you now.

"Shades Drawn Tight”

With the shades drawn tight
I hide myself from the light
For I see me not as free
But as bound to a powerful three
Fear, anger, and doubt
Grip so tightly and keep me out
Of life and joy
Like a man’s duty placed on a boy

I pull and release the strings
And the newly-lifted shades
Reveal a presence so real
It teaches me, once more,
What it means to feel

Then like water forging a trail
Determined to prevail
Flowing down its newly formed path
The light, undeterred, fills a bath
And pulls me into love and hope
Removing my need to grope

With the shades open for sight
I bathe myself in the light
For I see me as truly free
As one joyfully bound to the Holy Three
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Grasp so tightly as I hear the Heavenly hosts
Sing of life and joy
Creating a child of God out of a mere hobbledehoy

Mark T. Goodman
A child of God by His Grace

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Photo credit: Ben Schulman - "Lights on the River" - 2013 - Anchorage, AK.