Belong(A Home For Christmas)

Dr. Mike Murphy

December 20, 2022

“Where you are takes you one step closer to where you are suppose to be.”

So many times growing up he had heard his grandfather speak those words.  Words spoken so often, they were etched in his very thoughts.  And in just a few more days, he just knew his grandfather’s words were about to came alive.

As he sat in the sanctuary of the small church that Christmas Eve night, he could not help but look forward.  To a time in just ten days from now, where he would soon find himself sitting in the sanctuary of a much bigger church.  He had served as the pastor of the small church for over three years, and he had enjoyed the time he had been there. Memories of the small church would be with him forever, and several of those in the church would be friends that he would always hold dear.  In those three years, he had seen the church grow. Not in overwhelming numbers, but a growth that had brought stability to the church, and new faces to the congregation.  But his desire was for so much more than he thought he could ever find in this church, a destiny to speak to thousands, not just to a faithful few.  So as he sat in the sanctuary that night, and looked around the small church, his grandfather’s words filled his mind once again.  And in just ten days, he knew he would be one step closer.

It had been tradition for the church to open up the sanctuary to the public on Christmas Eve, for all to come by and say a prayer before travelling or gathering with family on Christmas Day.  A time for all to reflect on Christ, and to thank Him for all His birth had brought to each of their lives.  But as he looked out at the sanctuary that night, it was only a couple of faces he could see.  Soon, only one face was left, Jim Norris, a man who had started coming to the small church with his family a little over a year ago, but a man who had probably not spoke more than a handful of words to him in the past year.  Being alone now with Jim, he made his way over, and sat down on the pew next to him.  For what seemed like an eternity, he sat in silence next to him, before he began to hear Jim start to speak.

“I came alone tonight pastor, because I wanted to let the Lord know this Christmas all I have to be thankful for.  And I wanted the chance to also thank you, and to let you know what you have done for my family.”  He was surprised by the words of Jim, but smiled as Jim continued.  “You see, when we began coming to this church, I was not sure I would even have a family much longer.  I had just recently lost my job before we visited the church that first Sunday.  We were in desperate financial need.  My wife had all but given up, and was ready to take the kids and move back to her parents house out of state.  I could not have blamed her if she did, all we seemed to do was argue.  And each day I watched as the kids grew distant, as both our anger and frustrations became greater.”

“I am really not sure what brought us here that first Sunday, all I can think of is that God did.  But from the first minute He did lead us here, my life began to change.  You were so welcoming in greeting us that first Sunday, and every one here made us feel right at home.  Many in this little town knew we were struggling, that was no surprise to anyone who saw us that Sunday.  But all those that Sunday talked to us like family, not like the outcast we felt like we had become.  I still remember the sermon you gave, you spoke on Matthew 25:40, telling us that there were no “least” with Christ.  I did not understand why, but those words stuck with me.  And it seemed like all week long, we would come home to find where someone had left food at our door, or clothes for the kids. The next week, you preached on John 13:34, telling what it meant for us to love one another as Christ loves us.  Those words also stuck with me, and made me think if I was showing my family and others that love, as i had become so bitter because of all I had lost.  That week, the Lord really amazed me, I got three offers for a new job.  Later I learned that two of those had created a job just to help me and my family.”

“As the year went by, I watched my life change, and I watched my family change also.  My wife and I begin to remember why we had fallen in love so many years ago.  And the more we remembered, the more we watched as our children began to smile again, and we could hear the joy return to their voice. Each week your sermons spoke to me, pastor. And as the year went on, I found myself pulling out my Bible more and more, going back and reading each verse you talked about.  And soon, I found our whole family talking about what we had heard on Sunday, and the kids talking to us about what they had learned in Sunday School.  In this past year pastor, I cannot begin to tell you how much the life of my whole family has changed, and we have come to realize that we are a part of a bigger family.  We are part of the family of Christ.”

“I came by tonight to do more than just pray pastor, I was hoping to get a chance to talk to you.  Over this past year, my wife and I have accepted Christ into our life, and I was hoping that this Sunday, before you left, you would baptize all of us, and help us to join the church.”

No matter how hard he tried, he could not speak.  He could not find a single word to answer Jim back.  No word seemed enough, no sentence could express to Jim the way he felt.  All he could think to do was to reach out and hug Jim, to put his arms around him as tight as he could.  And as he felt the arms of Jim around him also, he realized at that moment just how wrong the words of his grandfather had been.  Each of his steps had led him to this moment, showing him that where Christ needs us, is exactly where we belong. He now knew what his future would hold, and what his next phone call had to be.  He would have to tell the larger church that he had reconsidered, because right there, in that small church, was where Christ needed him most.  Right there is where he belonged, right there is where he would call home.  And soon he began to realize, that from the quietness of that small sanctuary, just what an amazing gift God had given him that Christmas Eve.  A home. Because where Christ is, is where his home would always be.

This Christmas, let Christ give you the greatest of gifts.  Let Him show you that wherever He is, is exactly where you will always call home.  And as you open that gift, I pray you also open your heart, letting Him show you that in His arms is right where you belong.

Praying you are right where you belong this Christmas!

Misha's Story: Room In The Manger

 Dr. Mike Murphy

December 15, 2022

1991 changed the world as we knew it.  With the fall of the Soviet Union much of the world began to change, and the opportunity to spread the Good News presented itself to many Christian missionaries.  The newly formed Russian government even began to invite many American Christians in to teach ethics and morals based on Biblical doctrine.  It is here that our story begins, as two Americans accepted this invitation and found themselves at an orphanage in Russia as Christmas Day approached.

They began telling the story of the Nativity to the children and staff of the orphanage. This was the first time most of these had heard of Jesus, much less the story of Christ’ birth. As they heard the details that forever changed the world that night, they sat fixed on each word as the story unveiled itself.  They were told of Mary and Joseph traveling to the small town of Bethlehem, finding no room at the inn and having to take what room they could find in the stables, and how when Jesus was born he was placed in a manger.

At the conclusion of the story, each child was given three, small pieces of cardboard so each could build their own manger.  A yellow napkin was torn into small strips so each child could fill their manger with straw.  Small squares of flannel were cut from an old, abandoned nightgown so that each manger would have a baby blanket.  Finally, the two missionaries cut a small baby for each child from a piece of tan felt they had with them.

The two men walked around to each child offering to help as they constructed their manger.  All was going well until one of the men noticed a six year old orphan boy named Misha was sitting alone.  Misha had finished his manger, and when the man looked at it closely, he noticed that Misha had placed two babies in his manger.

He asked Misha if he had fully understood the story, and without hesitation, Misha began to quote it back to him with incredible accuracy.  He was amazed at how well this young child knew the story after hearing it for his first time.  That was until Misha came to the part where Mary placed Jesus in the manger.  It was here that Misha’s story began to take a different direction.

Misha told the missionary that when Mary laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked over at him and asked him if he had a place to stay.  Misha told him that he did not have a mother and father, so he did not have a place to stay. Jesus told Misha that he could stay with him.  But Misha replied to Jesus that he could not stay with him, because he did not own or have anything, having no gift he could give him like everyone else had.  

But Misha so badly wanted to  stay with Jesus, that he thought really hard of anything he could give as a gift.  Finally, Misha thought of one thing he might be able give.  He knew that it was cold that night, so he thought maybe he could keep Jesus warm.  That would be his gift.  So Misha asked Jesus, “If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?”  Jesus answered, “If you come close and keep me warm, that is the greatest gift anyone could ever give me.”  So Misha said he climbed into the manger, and as he did, Jesus looked over and told him that he could stay with Him forever.

After being told this story, and getting the lump out of my throat, a Bible verse quickly came to my mind.  Luke 18:17, “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all”. 

My life has been blessed to be able to preach God’s Word, to have been a part of discussion panels about my faith, and to teach studies about the Hebrew and Greek meaning of Bible verses.  But in that moment, I realized that the words of a young, orphaned boy rang stronger with truth than all of my cumulative words combined.  In his simple words rang a simple truth, a truth that is all that matters.  It is not what we have in this life, but WHO we have in this life.

It is time that we, the Church, got back to the simple message of this child. God chose to come into this world that night with the most humble and basic of beginnings.  He was born in a small town that probably did not appear on many of the maps of the day.  He was not born into the royalty of this world, but to simple, everyday people.  But the Lord knew that only from such humble beginnings would come a way to reach all mankind.  A simple message of salvation everyone could understand.  And the stories that surround that night prove it.  We see the richest of kings men, and the poorest of shepherds both find their way to the feet of this Child!

As you read the Christmas story this year, I hope each of you will remember the beauty of that simple message the Lord brought to us that amazing, incredible night so many years ago.  And I pray that in this coming year, that we, the Church, will find our way back into that manger with Misha.  That we will show the world just how comfortable and welcoming that manger can be. And just like Misha so quickly desired and understood, there is room in that manger for each of us to share with Christ forever. 

And I want to wish a very special thank you to an extraordinary, young orphaned boy named Misha.  You reminded me what is most important in the Christmas story, and the message the Lord introduced to the world that incredible night.  You truly taught this old dog the most priceless of new tricks!

Hope each of you this Christmas finds your way into that manger!

The Innkeeper( Do You Have Time For God This Christmas?)

 Dr. Mike Murphy

December 11, 2022

“I just do not have time for all this!  With all the people pouring into this town, I have to make the most of each minute.  I have to strike while the iron is hot.  It would just not be good business to do otherwise.  This census has brought me an opportunity that I may never see again.  Every inch of space in this town is needed right now, and I can get whatever price I want for the space I have.  Now is not the time for me to be giving out free rooms!  Not even to a couple with a wife who is pregnant.  They do not realize just how lucky they are to have met me.  Most others would not have even given them the time of day, but at least I let them stay in my stables.  They should be thanking me they do not have to spend the night in the street with the rest of this useless crowd.  At least they have a roof over their head and some straw to sleep on, unlike most of these ungrateful peasants.  Why me Lord?  Why, with all that is going on, do I have to deal with this?  You know I just do not have the time!”

As we find ourselves in the middle of the Christmas Season, nothing becomes more valuable than our time.  We often find ourselves with more to do than we have time to do it. We soon come to realize that the one thing we count more than our dollars is the minutes of the day.  Time becomes our currency, and we find ourselves being far more frugal with our time than we do with our credit cards.  Time that is consumer driven, and finds us unwilling to wait as we rush from store to store.  Time that is God-given, but not God focused.  And as you stand in line at Walmart, wondering how much time you will still have to shop at Best Buys, ask yourself one question.  How much time do I have for God this Christmas Season?

As history has progressed, our connection to time has not changed.  And as we glance back on history, we soon see that it was time that we were always the most concerned about.  And if we take the time to look back at that miraculous night our Savior came into this world, we see the struggles many were having with time.  

Many look at the innkeeper, and think it was room he did not have for Christ.  But room was just a byproduct of the real problem, the real struggle being time.  If the innkeeper found himself spending time with God, he would have remembered the promise that Micah had proclaimed of his town.  “"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."(Micah 5:2).  The promise that from his small town, Bethlehem, the Messiah would be born.  If he had time for God, he would have remembered the words of Daniel, proclaiming the years in which he then lived would be the time for His people to be looking for the Messiah(Daniel 9).  And if he had spent time with the Lord, he would have felt the Holy Spirit reach for him, as a needy, pregnant, young wife and husband found their way to his door.

Although we are never told his name, we can all look in the mirror and see the innkeeper's face.  He turned away a man and his pregnant wife that night, not because he did not have the room, but because he did not have the time.  He was busy.  He was swamped by the crowds in the middle of a census. His lodge was probably the only one in that tiny town.  He had rooms that needed to be cleaned, food that had to be made, and the needs of people that he had to meet.  He was being so pulled in a millions directions, he did not have time to look in the One direction his eyes were most needed.

But the innkeeper was not alone in his struggle with time, Israel was a nation filled with people just like him.  The Romans had a rebellious nation they needed to keep in order, they did not have time for the One who could have brought them true peace.  Herod, was a king of old age, whose death was growing near.  A dying man, who found himself propped up on an unstable throne.  Time was precious to Herod, and he did not have time for a “child” who might be born as his people’s King.  There was the people of Israel, who grew tired of living under the Roman oppression.  With each day, they found that oppression grow, and felt time was not on their side.  They only had time for a Deliverer, one who would break them from the yoke that Rome had placed on them, and would set up an earthly kingdom where they would rule.  They did not have time for a Suffering Servant, who would establish for them an eternal kingdom.  And then there was the priests and scribes, who each day had time to read the promised prophecies, but never found time to take a single word to heart.  Theological experts, and the “defenders” of spiritual truth, who never took the time to travel the few miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem to find out for themselves if the promised Messiah had indeed been born.  Religious leaders, who did not have time for a Savior, because nowhere could they see how they would ever be in need of one.  Christ came into a world that had been created by His hands, to a people that had long proclaimed His arrival, but to an earth that did not have time for Him.

Time.  What if God has said He did not have time to come to this earth so He could offer hope and a future to the lives of such a rebellious and sin-filled people?  What if He had said, “These people do not have time for Me, so why would I even think of making time for them?”.  But praise the Lord, Christmas is not about the Lord not having time, but about the Lord making time, and coming to this world at the precise time.

A verse from Galatians explains it better than I ever could.  Galatians 4:4 tells us, "But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son”.  For all of us, God made time, and at the exact right moment of history, God came to this earth on time.. God did not say He did not have time, but because of His endless love for us, He gave us far more than time ever could.

As I think about it, I realize the innkeeper, the Romans, Herod, the people of Israel, and the religious leaders, are not that much different from each of us. On that first Christmas, they were so consumed with the commotion, that they forget what time it was. They got so caught up in the world around them, that they found themselves too busy for God.  They found it easier to make God an afterthought that first Christmas, instead of making Him the forethought that time requires for Him to be.

This Christmas, as you find yourself in the hustle and bustle of the Season, stop and ask yourself a couple of questions.  How much time have I made for God?  If God has so lovingly made time for me that first Christmas, how much time can I make for Him this Christmas?  Let us not forget, God came on time that first Christmas.  And one day soon, whether we have the time or not, He will be coming on time again.

Give your family, your friends, and yourself the greatest present you can give this Christmas.  Give time for Christ.  Set aside precious moments each day when you can spend time with God.  Cherish each moment as you read His Word, and hold tight to each word you speak to Him in prayer.  Treasure and adore each of these moments, knowing that each minute you spend with Him is time that you can never place a dollar value on.  Watch as not only your life, but the lives of those around you, are changed in ways no credit card could ever pay for.  And with each moment of time you spend with our Lord, look into your heart. You will see all the room you have for a needy husband and his pregnant wife with Child as they knock on your door.

Give the Lord the greatest of gifts, give Him your time this Christmas!

Truly Wise Men

Dr. Mike Murphy
December 10, 2022

Church can teach us many valuable lessons, sometimes it can even teach us those lessons in the most unusual of places.  At an early age I learned one of these valuable lessons at church, the importance of thermal underwear!

Anyone who has been a part of a living nativity knows exactly what I mean!  Stand in the freezing night wind for a few hours in an outfit that is actually nothing more than an oversized cotton dress, and your mind will soon begin to ponder just how wise these men were!  The invention of longjohns in ancient times might have changed some of the events of history as we now know it!

All kidding aside, every pastor and layperson of a church knows just how special a living nativity can be.  We gladly bear the elements to honor and cherish the events and people that made up that very special night so many years ago. We preach sermons and teach lessons about that miraculous birth, and the Child that would change the world forever. We look to open the eyes of the world to the struggles that Joseph and Mary endured, and to the joy they brought into this world that night.  We sing songs of the angels and the shepherds, and of the revelation and amazement they witnessed.  We illustrate a star, and we declare the glory that brought three men on a long and treacherous journey to lay gifts at the feet of this Child.

We all know the story so well.  Most know the details of that night by heart.  We can tell about the Baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  We know of the town of Bethlehem, and can teach of God’s promise, and the role it would play that night.  But of all the places and people that make up this incredible story, there is one group we know very little about, the wise men.  Or do we?  The Bible and history tells us far more about these remarkable men than we even realize. So exactly what does the Bible and history tell us about the wise men, or Magi?  

To best understand these Magi, translated wise men, let us start by looking at the story itself and see exactly what the Bible has to say.  Matthew 2:1 tells us, “ Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,”.  Most of the world east of Jerusalem was controlled by one empire, the Parthians.  From 247 B.C. until A.D. 228, Parthia controlled much of the land that reached to India and China. Despite what we often think, Rome was not the only power of the day.  Rome often feared the Parthians, and often tried to stretch its’ control to the east to better serve as a buffer between the two powers.  These two empires found themselves bitter enemies on more than one occasion.  In 63, 55, and 40 B.C. these two powers found themselves at war in the land of Israel, the land that separated the empires of the west and the east.  In these battles, the Romans suffered one of their most humiliating defeats, losing over half of its’ army to the hands of the fierce Parthian cavalry

The Magi were a part of this Parthian Empire that Rome and all of its’ territories often feared.  Parthia was ruled by a king, but they also had a governing body called the Megistanes.  They were basically the equivalent of our Senate, or Great Britain's House of Lords today. The Megistane was made up of the Sophi and the Magi, with the Magi having the responsibility to choose the king of Parthia.  These men had incredible power, renown the world over, and were often referred to within the empire as kings.  With this in mind, it should be no surprise that so many songs written about them often designate them as kings.

With the power and preeminence these men held, upon travelling outside of the Parthian Empire they were always accompanied by a large force of cavalry. Historians estimate that this force would have numbered over one thousand, all riding in full gear atop of Persian steeds.  

When we now read the next verse, Matthew 2:3, “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him” , we begin to understand it in full.  With what we now know of these men from Parthia, and its' history with Rome, it should be of no surprise that Herod and the people of Jerusalem were frightened by what they saw.  Also notice that nowhere in these verses does Matthew say there were only three Magi, or wise men.  Reality shows us a far different picture than legend has painted for us.  This was not three simple astrologers riding into Jerusalem atop their camels!

Now that we know who these wise men were, we can look at the question of why did they come to Jerusalem?  In order to answer this question we must begin over 500 years before the birth of Christ, in another city over 500 miles east of the small town of Bethlehem.

The Bible paints us a picture of the Magi, often intertwined with the Jewish people. When Jerusalem was besieged by the Babylonians in 587 B.C., Jeremiah(Jeremiah 39:3 ) tells us the the chief of the Magi was there.  A short time later when the people of Judea were taken captive to Babylon, we are introduced to Daniel.  In one of the first acts we read of Daniel,  he was given the ability by God to interpret the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar. The Bible tells us that Daniel was rewarded and put into a position of power.  Daniel 2:48, “Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.”  We see that Daniel was made chief of the Magi!  Should it be any surprise to us that Daniel would teach the theology of his forefathers to the Magi he oversaw?

They would have known well the prophecies of the coming Messiah. From Daniel’s own words, they would have known that Christ would be both God and man(Daniel 7:13-14).  They would have even been aware of the timeline the Messiah was foretold to come(Daniel 9:24-27).  The answers to the who, what, where, when, and how of the coming Messiah were all laid out through the Scriptures for the Magi to see!

The Bible also continues the story of the Magi about a hundred years later, as we are introduced to a young Jewish girl who would become queen of the Persian Empire(Esther 1:12-14).  Besides showing us that the Magi played an important role in the eastern world, the Book of Esther also begins to show us that many of the Jewish people had chosen to remain behind instead of returning to the land of Israel after the captivity was lifted.  It even tells us in Esther 8:17, “many among the peoples of the land became Jews”. The Jewish people actually prospered and expanded in the eastern empire.

We often have a bad misconception of history when it comes to the Jewish people. We often see them as a small nation of people confined to the Holy Land, with little influence throughout the rest of the world.  The truth is a far different story!

At the time of Christ, approximately 300 million people lived on the earth, and historians tell us that roughly 4.2 million of these were Jewish.  Of these, only about 1.2 million lived in the land of Israel.  Over 1 million lived in Egypt, and historians tell us that over 500,000 resided in the Parthian Empire.  History also tells us that many of these held positions of power and prestige in Parthia, even positions within the government itself.  So yes, it is possible and even perceivable, this could have also included the title of a Magi!

History, culture, knowledge of the Scriptures, and yes, the faith of these Magi, would have all contributed in bringing them to the feet of the one true King. God’s promise and His Word told them where and when the Savior would be born.  It showed them the purpose of why He would come, and that Christ would both be God and man.  We even see from the gifts they brought Christ just how much they know what His birth would bring.

We all know the gifts the wise men brought to Christ that day.  The gold, one of the most precious of metals, and ordered by God to cover the very seat He would rest on when in the presence of His chosen people(Exodus 25:10-17). We see the divinity of Christ in the gold they would bring.  Frankincense, a sweet, fragrant resin that was burnt as the anointing oil in the Lord’s presence(Exodus 30:34), and was used in the sacrifice offering in the Temple(Leviticus 2:1-15, 6:15).  We see in this the holiness and righteousness that only Christ could bring, and His willingness to be a sacrifice for all mankind. And the myrrh, a spice used in embalming.  In ancient times, myrrh also was an analgesic, often mixed with liquids as a way to ease pain.  We read of this in Mark 15:23, as it was offered to Christ as he was about to be crucified.  In myrrh we see that Christ would pay the ultimate price, and suffer greatly for all who would believe and follow Him.  Only those who were given wisdom and sought discernment in the Lord’s Word would have known the importance these three gifts would soon hold in the life of this special Child.

In the Magi, we see the life of Christ in all His glory, and the fulfillment of the promises that God had made to His chosen people and to all mankind.  In the few verses that Matthew tells us about these Magi, we see so much more about these men.  From the scriptures and from history, we know they read and followed the Word of God.  They sought to see and know Jesus.  They accepted and identified the worth of Christ.  They humbled themselves at the feet of Christ so that they might worship Him.  And above all, they obeyed God rather than follow man.  Without a doubt, these were truly wise men!

May the Lord bring His wisdom to each of you this Christmas!

The Politically Correct Christmas Pageant

Dr. Mike Murphy
December 8, 2022

Despite every effort by the local school board, the parents insisted that the story of the Nativity was going to be a part of the Oakdale Christmas Pageant this year.  But with the parents insistence, the board also became insistent, demanding that certain changes would have to first be made. So both sides decided to sit down, so the school board could tell the parents exactly what they had in mind.

As the story of that night in Bethlehem was read, you could see the school board officials starting to squirm in their seats.  And as the reading of the story was finished, board members began to speak even before the parent reading could get their Bible closed.  

“First of all”, a woman on the school board began to say, “why does May have to be Joseph’s wife?  What if it was just his girlfriend? We cannot offend a large amount of people by trying to tell them they were married.  And second, we could not dare have them riding a donkey to Bethlehem! To ride that poor donkey that far would be perceived by many as animal cruelty.  We would have to have them as a couple of people who just happened to be together, both walking the whole way.”

As soon as she finished, another board member began to speak.  “We do not know if that stable was private or public property, and if it was public property, we could never have a religious symbol, like an angel, on it!  That would be a violation of Church and State, this simply cannot be! And if there was no room for them at the inn, then that means they were homeless, so the stable would have had to have been public property.  No way we can allow an angel to be seen at that stable!”

Another woman on the board then began to chime in. “What message are we sending to all woman if we portray Mary as a virgin?  To say this would set women’s rights back fifty years, and tell women they could not have sex before marriage. I will not be a part of anything that would even begin to do that!  And this idea of swaddling clothes wrapped around the baby, binding a baby like that would be perceived by many as child abuse. I am not going to be on the local news explaining why i support child abuse!”

The man on the school board who had spoke about the stables before, began to speak again.  “Back to these angels, we cannot have them praising God! That is unconstitutional! That would leave us supporting one religion above another, even worse, it would have us support religion period.  We cannot do that, the ACLU would be here protesting before the pageant finished!”

Immediately, another school board member spoke.  “And the idea of these three wealthy men bringing gifts to someone they say is their King, no way could we allow that!  First of all, it would find us supporting a crime, because we have no proof they paid taxes on these gifts. And second, why would they not have spread the wealth, and given part of this to those poor shepherds?  No wonder we do not read the Bible in my house, look at what it supports! We cannot allow children to be a part of this!”

As the parents heard all of this, one of the parents jokingly spoke.  “By what you are all saying, it would have been best if Jesus was not born at all. Maybe we should just have Mary getting an abortion in our pageant before that night even begins!”

On hearing this, the school board members soon began to raise their eyebrows and look at each others.  Soon one of the school board members began to speak, “Maybe you are on to something we could live with.”

We all see our little story, and smile at the joke.  But if we take a second to look closely at the direction our society is presently heading, we have to ask ourselves, how much longer will it take for this joke to become a reality?  How many around us now think this world would be better off if Christ would not have been born at all? So let us ask ourselves, what would things be like if Christ had never been born?

Although many will never allow themselves to admit it, Jesus changed every aspect of life as we know it.  And through those who have come to accept Christ, what we call the Church, more good has come to this earth than through any other movement in history.  No event, or even a series of events, has done more to transform this world than both the birth and the death of Christ. Not one, as His presence is still immeasurable in this world today!

Look at just two, of countless examples, of the differences that the birth of Christ brought to this world.  First, without the birth of Christ, we would never know what God was really like. From the moment that man rebelled in the Garden, mankind has had a yearning to know God better, and to have a deeper understanding of the Lord.  To not see the Lord at a distance, overseeing and creating all, but to feel His presence, as He lives amongst us each day. God came to the manger that night, so man would no longer have that hunger to know Him, and would no longer have to ask, "what is God really like".  On that night, He became Immanuel, God with us(Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22-23). And as the world stood still that night, He showed us, firsthand, just how much He desired to be close with us, and to have a personal relationship with each of us. Because on that night, man no longer had to imagine what the Lord was like, man only had to look into the eyes of the Child that was born in that stable.

Second, if Christ had not been born, man could not know the true meaning of hope.  We look around us today, and we see the chaos of this world. The violence, greed, vanity, debauchery, and war that this world feeds off of.  But to see this should not surprise us, as one of man’s oldest sayings, tells us, “History repeats itself.” What will surprise many, this saying does not come from the mind of man, but was given to us through the wisdom of God(Ecclesiastes 1:9-11). God knows the heart of man, and the rebellious nature that is present in man. And God knows that as long as sin is at the center of man, history will simply continue to repeat itself. A repeating loop that will never leave man knowing true hope. A hope that no earthly leader or government can ever bring to this world.  A hope that can only come to man because One came to destroy the bondage that sin held over man(1 Corinthians 15:54). And as Christ laid in the manger that night, sin looked into the eyes of the Child, and saw its’ defeat.

On that night, so many years ago, not only did the world change, hope changed.  And today, in this politically correct world, we joyfully do the most politically incorrect thing this world could imagine, we remember and we celebrate that night.  Knowing that only because of that night, hope became a reality. And only through the miraculous gift the Lord brought to this world that night, can we experience and know true hope this Christmas!

Praying you always see hope as you look at that manger!

The Grateful Blessing(A Story For Thanksgiving)

Dr. Mike Murphy
November 23, 2022

It had been a trying year.  Retirement had not brought the golden years that are promised.  Her husband, Bill, had faced heart problems.  And although his health was now great again, the medical costs had eaten away at their retirement nest egg.  What had once been envisioned as a time of travel and enjoyment, had now become a time of budgets and counting pennies.

But through it all, she was grateful.  The love of her life was still with her, and every dollar in the world could not bring her the happiness she found each day as she looked into his eyes. But today, the budget was on her mind.  It was now Thanksgiving week, and everyone in the family would soon be coming to her house.  She loved each minute her children were there, and every second of hearing her grandchildren running through the house.  But she worried today about how she would pay for it all.  How could she possibly stretch the dollars far enough to fill the stomachs of all who would soon be sitting at her table?  

As she headed out the door, on her way to shop for all the groceries she would need, she made sure her coupon pouch was in hand.  But as she opened the door, she heard the voice of her husband calling, “Are you going to the store?”

“I was heading there now.”, she quickly replied.  “Did you need something?”

“Sue, there is a family I heard about at Bible study yesterday.  A family that has fallen hard on their luck, and all six of their young kids are not going to be able to have a Thanksgiving this year.”, he quickly told her.

“What did you have in mind, Bill?”

“I know we cannot afford a lot, but while you are at the store, do you think you could buy something for them Sue?  I cannot quit thinking about that family having to do without. More than anything this year, my prayers are for their family.  I so wish that family could have a Thanksgiving dinner.”

“I will see what I can do Bill.”, was all she could think to say.

As she arrived at the store, she could not get the family out of her mind either.  But no matter how hard she tried, she could not figure out how she could buy much for them with her budget.  The few dollars she had could only be stretched so far.  As she exited her car, she said a prayer, asking the Lord to show her a way.

As she grabbed her shopping cart, she saw an ad on the wall.  “Today only!  Turkey half price!”.  So with the discount of the coupon she already had, she knew that she could at least get a turkey for the family.  But as she got to the cooler the turkeys were in, she soon discovered one problem.  In small print, at the bottom of the ad, were the dreaded words, Limit One Per Customer.  Just as she thought her heart would drop, she saw a manager and explained her situation.  He asked her to wait for a second, while he returned with a solution. Soon she saw him pushing a second cart, and he told her to put one in each and to see him as she checked out.

As she tossed a turkey in each cart, she soon found herself pushing one cart and pulling another.  As she made her way down the aisles, she was amazed as just how many items she needed were buy one, get one free.  So with each, she would place one of the items in her cart, and them toss the other one in the cart she had started for the family.  As she looked over her coupons, she was amazed as just how many she had.  Some that she never remembered clipping, but was able to use nonetheless.  And if her coupons were not enough, she soon found that pushing two carts had drawn the attention of others in the store. Others that also had coupons, and also wanted to help.  One man, who had heard her talking to another woman, brought a container of cranberry sauce, and a large package of dinner rolls.  He handed her both, and the money to pay for each.  “It is just not Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce and rolls”, is all he said, with the biggest of smiles on his face.

As she reached the checkout, she looked at both of her two carts.  Seeing how full each now looked, she again became concerned, wondering if she had overdone it.  As each item was rang up, she watched the total rise.  Then with each coupon, she watched as it fell again.  When all was totaled, and the bill was paid, she had exactly one dollar left.  As she made her way out of the store, she saw a stand collecting funds for the children’s hospital.  Without even thinking twice, she knew exactly where that last dollar had to go. And as she filled her car with the groceries, a smile came to her face.  A smile that just would not go away.  A smile that stayed on her face the rest of the day.

The next morning, Bill and Sue made a very special delivery to a house that was not to far away.  As they pulled into the drive, they were quickly greeted by eight smiling faces. And with eight smiling faces, came eight sets of hands. Two grown set of hands, that would not let Bill and Sue lift a single bag.  Six small sets of hands, that could not hug them enough.  And as Sue looked into the face of a fellow mother, see only saw eyes that were so filled with tears of joy, that her mouth could not find the words to thank Sue enough.

A day later, Sue, Bill, and their whole family gathered at their house for Thanksgiving.  And as the whole family gathered around the table to pray, Sue decided she wanted to start a new Thanksgiving tradition.  She picked up her Bible, and turned the pages to John, chapter six, and began to read the story of how Christ had taken five loaves of bread and two fish, and feed a crowd of five thousand.  And as she finished reading the story, she shared with her family the events of the last couple of days.

As Sue looked at the faces of the precious members of her family, all sitting around the table sharing a meal, her mind wandered to another house not so far away.  And in her mind she pictured another family, a family of eight just as precious faces, also sharing a meal.  It was at that moment that Sue realized what the word blessing truly meant.  When we are willing to step out on faith, God steps in, and the blessings begin to flow.  Blessings that are far more precious, far greater filling of the mind, than all our worries and concerns. And as the familiar smile came again to Sue’s face, she realized that she would be “stepping out” a lot more often.

This Thanksgiving, step out on faith.  And watch the Lord step in with the most amazing of blessings!

The Table(A Story For Thanksgiving)

Dr, Mike Murphy
November 20, 2022

She rubbed her hand gently across the grain, feeling every crevice of the oak boards. As she looked across the table, she could see the mess that awaited her.  A table filled with semi-empty bowls and partially cleaned plates.  A table that had about as much food on it as had just been served in the bowls and platters that covered it.  It would take her hours to ever get to where she see her table clean again.  But as she looked at the mess that faced her, she did not mind.  The mess would just add to the memories.

Of all the gifts she had ever been given, she cherished the old table that was now covered in food above them all.  It had been a wedding gift from her in-laws.  A gift she had always dreamed of, a formal dining table with two leafs and twelve chairs.  She had grown up in a large family, with brothers and sisters always around. But with all the mouths to feed, she had also grown up very poor. Her family could never afford a large table, one that everyone could sit around and have a meal on together.  Meals at her house consisted of finding a place to eat that all her brothers and sisters had not already taken.  And as the youngest of ten, that usually meant she ate on the floor.  

When her husband and her had gotten married over forty years ago, her in-laws asked her what she wanted as a wedding present.  Of all the gifts she could have asked for, a large dining table was on the top her list.  A table where everyone would always have a place to sit. A table the family she wanted would grow in to.  

Although they questioned her request many times, two days after they were married a brand new table arrived.  Her husband and her could barely afford the little house they had just bought, and had chose to put a down payment on the house instead of taking a honeymoon. She still remembered the day the delivery truck brought the table to that small house.  It was all they could do to get it through the door.  The table was almost larger than any of the rooms they had to place it in.  Only one room in the old house was large enough for the table to fit, but fit it would!  She thought to herself, they would just have to adjust.  The master bedroom would just have to be known as the dining room.  Another room would just have to become the bedroom now.  In her mind, the table was not just a part of her home, it represented all she wanted from a home.  So the large table took center stage.

As they purchased larger houses, their family grew also.  Soon four children came into their lives, three daughters and a son.  And with each year, the gift she had asked for, she now cherished more.  The table had been nothing short of becoming a part of her family.  That table had seen her family grow, and had been a part of their lives as much as she had.  The table had seen it all. High chairs and booster seats had found their way to the table.  Many a diaper had also been changed on the table.  Two of her children had spoken their first words from the table.  ABC’s and 123’s had been learned while sitting at the table.  Countless school projects had been built at the table.  Tears had been shed on the table as boyfriends and girlfriends had past through their lives. Checks for college tuition had been paid from the table.  Weddings had been planned on the table.  The arrival of grandkids had been announced at the table. And now she held those precious grandchildren at the same table.

Even after the kids had grown, and bought their own tables, her table still played an important part in her life.  Her husband and her had planned their future retirement at the table. Each week, the Bible study she loved so much gathered around the table.  And twice each week, two of her daughters met her for coffee around the table.

As she looked again at the mess, she said an extra prayer.  She thanked the Lord for sending her the table, and for all He had brought into her life through the table.  And before she finished the prayer, she thanked the Lord for all He would still be sending her way, all she was still to see around her cherished table.

As each of us gather with family and friends around our table this Thanksgiving, I hope that each of the things the Lord has placed around us will remind you of all we are thankful for. That each of us will come to know just what it means to be “thankful”.

So what does it mean to be thankful?  And just what do each of us have to be thankful for?  The Bible tells us, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”(James 1:17).  God’s Word reminds us of where everything comes, and to Whom we are to be grateful for everything we have. Without thankfulness, our lives become self-contained and self-centered.  We begin to give ourselves credit for all we have, instead of turning to the One who gives us all.  It is the humbleness of being truly thankful that keeps us on solid ground with the Giver of all. Paul warned us of what our lives would be like without thankfulness, and of a day that would come when men would no longer be thankful.  “For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy”(2 Timothy 3:2).  Without grounding ourselves in thankfulness, and submitting ourselves to all we have to be thankful to the Lord for, we quickly forget all the Lord is, and desires to do in each of our lives.

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”(1 Thessalonians 5:18).  When we are thankful to the Lord for all things, we give God the credit for all good that is happening in our lives.  When we are thankful, we push aside the spite, the resentfulness, the grief, and the pain that this world is so quick to show us, and we replace it with the love and mercy that the Lord desires for us.  It is in our thankfulness that strength can be found, and it is in that thankfulness to the Lord that no evil can ever be present(James 1:12). Paul tells us, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”(Romans 8:28). It is for that good, for that purpose, that should bring us to our knees each day, thanking our Lord for all He does for and through each of us.  It is through this good, and this purpose, that we can be thankful despite any situation we may find ourselves in.  That although the situation around us may cause us to grieve, to feel pain, we can still praise God, knowing without doubt He is right there with us. Holding us tight in His arms through every situation.  Offering to us a hope that extends beyond the pain and the grief.  A Hope that leads us to be thankful for all tomorrow promises.

We so easily forget each day all we have to be thankful to our Lord for. We should be thankful to God for the goodness and love He shows us(Psalm 136:6).  Without the Lord, we quickly sink in our own depravity, and only know the death that this world extends to us.  It is only through the steadfastness of His love that life can be offered to us, and that life can be found in us.  We should be thankful for the deliverance He brings us, and for the faithfulness He alone has shown us(Psalm 30:1-12).  We should be thankful for the mercy, the protection, and the justice He has for us(Psalm 28:6-7).  We should be thankful of the worthiness He shows us(Revelation 4:11).  We should be thankful for His Hand covering us, even at times we do not know that Hand is there(Deuteronomy 31:8).  We should be thankful for the promises He has brought us, and the future He alone has created for us(Ephesians 1:3).  And we should give Him thanks for the table He has prepared for us(Psalm 23:5).

On this day of Thanksgiving, we reflect back to the origins of this day, and to that first table of thankfulness that was celebrated so many years ago.  Like the Pilgrims, we have a choice today to honor the Lord for all He has done this past year, and for all He is doing for us today.  And as we sit to consume the feast that has been prepared in front of us, and unbutton the top snap on our pants to make room for a few extra bites, let us not forget what this day brings to us.  A day that is less about the feast, and far more about the praise.  May the Lord find us grateful for all He has done for us, and all He is presently doing through us.  And in our prayers and praise, may we also find ourselves thankful for all He has planned for us tomorrow. Let us not forget all the Pilgrims were grateful to the Lord for on that day. They praised Him for all He has done to save them.  They praised Him for keeping His hand over them, and bringing them to that day.  And they thanked Him for the promises that He had showed them, promises that gave them a hope for tomorrow. They thanked him for the table He had placed in front of them, and for all that table would bring to generations of children after them.

As you gather around your table for Thanksgiving, may each of your prayers be as thankful as the prayers of those Pilgrims so many years ago. Do not let the prayers you give from your table just thank the Lord for all He has done in your life yesterday, and all He is doing today.  Let those prayers also be filled with thanks for all He will do in your life tomorrow.  Thank Him today for all the opportunities to glorify Him that He will bring your way, and for all His Hand will guide you through in the days to come.  Thank Him for the blessings that you are yet to see, blessings that will soon fill your days and your nights.  And thank Him for all the precious memories that He still plans to bring to each of your tables.

I pray the Lord will always leave your table full! Full of the Hope that tomorrow brings! Full of all things you will be thankful for!