Behold!
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Floyd is not doing well. There's nothing new to say - it's the same up and down situation. I’ve prayed for additional grace and comfort for Floyd over this Christmas season - that he will sense the presence of the Saviour whose birth we celebrate.
One of my Christmas reflections this year has been on the three women in the Christmas story - Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna. Of the thousands of women alive at that time, these three are singled out and mentioned so there must be things for us to learn from them. They were different ages and at different stages in their lives, but it seems that they all "feared the Lord." They each set a powerful example for us.
Mary we know the most about of course. She's the chosen one, the mother of Jesus. She humbly obeyed what was asked of her. I'm sure she had questions. It says that she "kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." I can relate to that. I "ponder" things a lot.
She also worshiped in her song in Luke 1 - thanking God and honouring Him. The Magnificat - Mary's hymn of praise. It's one of the most beautiful passages in scripture. From Mary we can learn to be fully available to whatever God has in store for us. He can use us, too, to accomplish "great and mighty" things.
Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, we know some about. She hadn't been able to have children. She was a "senior citizen" - past the years of bearing children. She could have been angry and bitter that God didn't give her and Zechariah children. She lived in a culture where a woman's worth was measured by the number of children she had. But she kept her heart blamelessly before God. And then a miracle happened.
I don't think it would have been easy to start a family at her age, but she didn't shy away from it. She accepted what God gave her to do. And she gave encouragement to Mary when Mary visited her. We can learn from Elizabeth to let our heartbreak and pain draw us closer to God instead of allowing it to cause distance in our heart towards Him.
Anna, the prophetess, is the one we know the least about. In Luke 2:36-38 we learn that she became a widow after 7 years of marriage. She then devoted herself to fasting and praying in the temple. She was now 84 years old. She had lived and walked so closely with the Lord that she recognized Jesus as the Saviour when Mary and Joseph came to present him in the temple for purification when he was 40 days old.
Anna had faced a great disappointment in life in losing her husband after just a few years. But she didn't stay in her pain. She turned her disappointment into glorifying God day and night. I can only imagine how many young mothers and widows she must have encouraged and ministered to as they came to the temple.
Anna is probably the least important figure in the Christmas story. She's often overlooked when we tell the story of Christ's birth. We only have these 3 verses about her. And yet I think her impact must have been powerful in the day and age in which she lived. Her recognition of Jesus was important enough to be singled out and mentioned.
Anna is one who made the best of her situation. She would have been looked down upon in her society - poor, destitute, alone. But she looked on the positive side, counting her blessings, and her heart overflowed in worship. She is one who knew how to grow old gracefully. She didn't become bitter with her lot in life - she became better. I think God held her in high esteem. So little is written about her, and yet she leaves a rich legacy.
None of these women were rich or powerful. They weren't from the elite of society. They didn't have influence or status or important backgrounds. They were simple, humble women who were willing to follow and obey the Lord. As I've reflected on these three, I realize that I want to follow their example of obedience and worship. We've heard about the Three Wise Men. I think these are Three Wise Women that we can learn from.
Mary's Attitude and Response
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." Luke 1:38
"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation." Luke 1:46-50
"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:9
Elizabeth's Response
"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days He has shown His favour and taken away my disgrace among the people." Luke 1:25
"In a loud voice she exclaimed: 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?' " Luke 1:42,43
Anna's Response
"She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying." Luke 2:37
I identify with these simple women in various ways. And I want to follow their examples. They were each, in their own way, Wise Women. My life is enriched by having reflected on them this Christmas - especially as I continue on our unexpected journey.
All through this month of Christmas reflection there has been a word echoing in my heart and mind. BEHOLD! It's an old fashioned word. We don't hear it much anymore. But it's very common in the Word.
It's not used as much in the more modern versions of the Bible. Depending on what version you use, it's mentioned anywhere from 2 times to 1335 times. It's used to call attention to something - to make a statement!
The dictionary meaning is to perceive through sight or apprehension - to see or gaze upon - to observe something remarkable or impressive.
One of the more familiar passages in the Bible is from John 1:29 when John the Baptist sees Jesus and exclaims, "BEHOLD the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world."
Another well known one is "BEHOLD, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelations. 3:20
As the word has reverberated over and over in my mind, I have found my heart full of worship. I want to BEHOLD Him! I want to proclaim Him! I want to worship Him! He is so worthy. We can truly BEHOLD him:
B - Bless His name continually!
E - Exalt Him for He is worthy!
H - Honour and worship Him!
O - Only He deserves our adoration!
L - Love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and body!
D - Devotion belongs to Him!
It's also impacted my heart afresh that we need to BEHOLD Him regardless of our circumstances. Whether it's a "good" season in our lives or a hard season. Whether we're well and healthy or sick. Whether all the bills are paid or we have a stack of them due. Whether we have a good job or we're unemployed. Whether we have questions. Whether we have problems. Whatever our situation is - we need to BEHOLD Him! He is worthy!
"BEHOLD, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23
"And BEHOLD, a voice out of the heavens saying, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found my delight." Matthew 3:17
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, He is a new creature: old things are passed away; BEHOLD, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
"BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." 1 John 3:1
"BEHOLD, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him." Revelation 1:7
Especially in this Christmas season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we need to BEHOLD Him. I'm offering up that gift to Him. Oh how I want to BEHOLD Him more and more! I don't feel I have a lot to offer Him right now in this season of sickness and weakness, but I can certainly BEHOLD Him. I love and honour Him for His faithfulness and goodness.