Christmas

WHEN GOD BECAME A MAN

/ Dr. Daniel Merritt / 1 Comment

There would be no Christmas without Christ. Christmas without Christ is only a festive feel-good time that has no eternal or impactful significance. That Christ was born is a historical reality. While His birth is confirmed by writings even outside Scriptural references, the Scripture is our best source for discovering who this Jesus is and why His birth is so celebrated. Matthew, writing with the Jewish reader in mind, beautifully paints Jesus as the King of the Jews, the One that has legal right the throne of David and who even commands from afar Wise Men from the East to come and worship He who  is born King of the Jews. Luke, writing with the Gentile reader in mind, vividly paints Jesus as the Son of Man, the Perfect Man, the Man for all men, and descending from Adam came to do what Adam could not do. As the Second Adam He came to live a perfect life, defeat temptation and be victorious over the Foe who defeated the first Adam. Mark, writing with the Roman reader in mind, humbly portrays Christ as the Servant of God. Mark doesn’t focus on the birth of Christ, but focuses on His deeds. With almost half the Roman Empire being slaves the genealogy and birth of a servant was unimportant in the Roman mind only one’s deeds, and Christ had plenty of them!

Ah, but John….He traces Jesus’ genealogy and birth not from Adam, Abraham, or David, but He goes all the way back to the beginning….not just the beginning of time but before time….he reaches back into eternity! So much is packed into John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”

These verses proclaim that Christmas is about when God became a man.
It is clear by “the Word” in John 1:1-3 the Apostle is speaking of Christ. The Greek word for “Word” is Logos, meaning that through Christ God has spoken, He has declared Himself, He has expressed Himself to humanity. Jesus is the incarnate Logos, the incarnate Word. Notice what John says about this Babe whose cry broke the silence of the Bethlehem night.

First, Christ is eternal. “In the beginning was the Word” (Jh 1:1). Christ was always with God. There never was a time when the Word (Christ) was not.

Second, Christ is equal to God. “The Word was with God” (Jh 1:1). The word “with” means face to face with God. This speaks of equality and intimacy. Christ was not lesser than God, but equal with God.

Third, Christ was God. “The Word was God” (Jh 1:1). Christ is eternally God, is equal with God and is God Himself. Christ is the fullness of God, the state of being God (Col. 2:9). As the Logos, Christ Jesus is God in self-revelation and redemption.

Fourth, Christ is the Creator. “All things were created by Him” (Jh 1:3). The Word in John 1:1-3 is the One of Genesis 1 who spoke by His Word all things into existence. The Word (Christ) created the universe, and at Bethlehem He came to visit the earth which He had created.

In 1:14 John reveals a profound truth. He writes that the Word who is eternal, is equal to God, who was God, and who created all things, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

WOW!

We catch our breath at such a declaration. We are astonished at John’s pronouncement. We scratch our heads at its mystery and profoundness. We in stunned silence seek to grasp John’s words. What? Our God became flesh and dwelt among us….can it be? Yes, that is the profoundness, yet the simplicity of Christmas…the Babe found in the stable’s manger in Bethlehem was our God who had come to dwell among us. That is the wonder of Christmas. Christmas is about when God became a man.

A Greek philosopher once stated that if God was to ever make an impact upon earth, He would have to become a man. Well, in Christ God became flesh, full of grace and truth, and has dwelt among us. Because of our sinfulness we could never go to where He is, but in His holy-grace He clothed Himself in human flesh to come to where we are. The Creator became a man to do for us what we could never do for ourselves, to provide a perfect Sacrifice for our sins. As He hung upon the cross with His arms outstretched, in His loving grace He bid men to come and be embraced by His long arms of salvation. And those arms of sacrificial grace are sufficient to amass unto Himself all who will come unto Him.

As the shepherds hurried in the darkness of the night to see the Baby Jesus, their eyes were privileged to gaze upon Him who was the Light of the world and who had come to chase away the darkness in our lives. He who lay beneath the twinkling stars had created the stars. The powerful truths behind the words of John leave us in awe and drives us to our knees in worship. And as we gather around the cradle at Christmastime, we do so cognizant of the truth that the coming of Christ in history is the coming of God the Redeemer. In His coming He offered a Sacrifice rent from His very own heart. The Sacrifice was made to God by Himself in His Son, and it was made to His own holy nature on behalf of you and me.

Yes, Christmas is truly a time to celebrate, for our God became flesh and dwelt among us!!

Merry Christmas,
Dr. Dan

ONE NAME WOULD NOT DO

/ Dr. Daniel Merritt / Leave a comment

As we celebrate the Christmas season, time pauses for a brief moment when even people who don’t profess to be followers of the Babe born in Bethlehem are confronted with the name Jesus. O, the name Jesus. It is the name that has been endeared by millions and through history has commanded the attention of nations, felled many an army, toppled countless rulers, baffled philosophers, perplexed sceptics, captured the imagination of artists, struck the cords of music in the hearts of composers, moved the pen of writers, and held in reverence by those who worship Him. Yes indeed, there is something about that name.

When the angel Gabriel appeared unto Mary that she had been chosen to bear the promised Christ Child, the angel informed Mary, and later informed her betrothed husband Joseph, they “shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

As one reads through the Bible one truth is abundantly clear, Jesus was given many names which describe the character of the One whom we sing, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there is just something about that name.” Shakespeare posed the question, “What’s in a name?” Well, in biblical times a name had significant meaning, as a name would denote a characteristic or something related to a person that was a particular feature or identifying trait of the individual. While a name is descriptive, it is also restrictive as it seeks to highlight the dominate character trait of an individual.

When it comes to Jesus one name would not do in describing the wonder of who He was and is. No one name, nor a thousand names, can define or describe Jesus Christ. If one could speak with the tongue of men and angels and one could speak every known language on earth, one would still come up short of fully describing this One named Jesus. The more we know of Him, the more we discover there is to learn about Him. A brief look at some of the names the Bible uses to paint a portrait of the character of Jesus, while revealing much about Him, only scratch the surface of His wonder.

Though not exhaustive by any means, some of the names given to Jesus that shine light on the wonderment of His personhood are: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6-7), the Seed (Gen. 3:15), One born of a Virgin (Is 7:14), Son of God (Mark 1:11), Alpha and Omega (Rev. 22:13), the Ancient of Days (Dan 7:9), Image of the Invisible God ( Col. 1:15), Heir of all Things (Heb 1:2), Radiance of God’s Glory (Heb. 1:3), Exact Representation of God’s Being (Heb 1:3), the Word (John 1:1-3), the Beloved (Eph 1:6), the Only Begotten Son (Jh 3:16), I AM (Jh 8:58), Dayspring from on High (Lk 1:78), the Indescribable Gift (2 Cor 9:15), the Anointed One, the Ruler (Dan 9:25), Son of David (Matt. 1:1), the Branch (Isa 11:1), Arm of the Lord (Isa 53:1), the Babe (Luke 2:12), Immanuel (Matt 1:23), Holy One (Mark 1:24), Brother (Prov 17:17), the Nazarene ( Matt. 2:23), the Carpenter (Mark 6:3), the Galilean (Lk 23:6), the Man (I Tim 2:5-6), Son of Man ( Matt 20:28), the Prophet (Matt 21:11), the Teacher (Jh 3:2), the Great Physician (Lk 4:23), the Chosen One (Is 42:1), the Servant (Phil. 2:7), Man of Sorrows (Is 53:3), Rabboni (Jh 20:16), Shiloh ( Gen. 49:10), the Star (Num 24:17), the Scepter (Num 24:17), Redeemer (Job 19:25), Lilly of the Valley ( Song of Sol 2:1), the Rose of Sharon (Song of Sol 2:1), the Root (Isa 11:10), Leader and Commander (Is 55:4), Lord of Righteousness (Jer. 23:6), King (Zech 9:9), Messenger of the Covenant (Mal 3:1), Sun of Righteousness (Mal 4:2), Bridegroom (Matt 9:15), Friend (Matt 11:19), Horn of Salvation ( Lk 1:69), Lamb of God (Jh 1:29), Water of Life (Jh 4:10), Saviour (Jh 4:42), Judge (Acts 10:42), Our Passover (I Cor 5:7), Rock (I Cor 10:4), the Last Adam ( I Cor 15:45), Chief Cornerstone (Eph 2:20), the Head (Eph 4:15), All in All (Co 3:11), Our Hope (I Tim 1:1), Master (Matt 8:19), Mediator (I Tim 2:5), Author and Perfecter of Our Faith (Heb 12:2), Ransom ( I Tim 2:5-6), Our Wisdom (I Cor 1:30), Our Sanctifier (I Cor 1:30), Advocate (I Jh 2:1), Potentate (I Tim 6:15), King of Kings and Lord of Lords (I Tim 6:15), Pioneer of Our Salvation (Heb. 2:10), the Apostle of our Profession (Heb 3:1), High Priest (Heb 6:20), Overseer (I Peter 2:25), Atoning Sacrifice (I Jh 2:2), the Amen (Rev 3:14), the Faithful and True Witness (Rev 3:14), Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5), the Bread of Life (Jh 6:35), the Light of the World (Jh 8:12), the Door (Jh 10:9),the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:11), the Resurrection and the Life (Jh 11:25), the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jh 14:6), the True Vine (Jh 15:1), the Almighty (Rev 1:8), the Living One (Rev. 1:18), the Offspring of David (Rev, 22:16), Faithful and True (Rev 19:11), the Bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16), Lord (Jh 20:28), and God (Jh 20:28).

He is all those names and much, much more. Oh, how I wish I could describe Him to you!! But He is indescribable. One name just wouldn’t do and a thousand are inadequate to ever reveal the radiance and luster of this One called Jesus .

O, what a Savior!

Merry Christmas,
Dr. Dan

DESCRIBING HIM WHO IS INDESCRIBABLE

/ Dr. Daniel Merritt / 2 Comments

As I meditate on the birth of the Babe of Bethlehem I wish there were words in the English language to describe the wonder of who He is. It would take the language of angels to describe He who is indescribable. O, how I wish I could describe Jesus! While language exists as a means of expressing our thoughts, there are yet no words to describe the wonder of Him who is called Wonderful. The names that describe Him are inexhaustible.

He is Jesus for He came to save us from our sins. He is Emmanuel who came to be God with us. He is Christ the anointed One from heaven. He is Messiah who fulfilled every OT prophecy about the Promised One. He is the Prince of Peace in the midst of our turmoil. He is Counselor in our confusion. He is Mighty God in our weaknesses. He is the Everlasting Father when lonely. He is Light in the darkness of this world. He is Resurrection when death knocks upon our door. He is Truth in the midst of abounding error. He is Righteousness for my unrighteousness. He is the Ancient of Days in our vanishing days. He is Anchor when we find ourselves drifting on the sea of life. He is our Rock when our feet sink beneath sinking sands. He is Redeemer who bought us back from the clutches of sin. He is the Bread of Life who nourishes our soul. He is the Water of Life who quenches the thirst of our spirt. He is the Bright and Morning Star who shines His Light into our hearts. He is Comforter in our hurts. He is the Chief Cornerstone who upholds our life. He is the Great I Am who meets every need of the heart. He is the Gift which grace has provided. He is the High Priest who offered the Perfect Sacrifice…and that Sacrifice was Himself. He is our Intercessor who sits at the right head of the Father on our behalf. He is our Surety who did for us what we could never do for ourselves. He is the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the humanity. He is the King who desires to sit on the throne of our hearts. He is Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, and He is the Author and Finisher of our faith.

He is the Sun of Righteousness who rises with healing in His wings. He is the Last Adam who was victorious as the first Adam failed. He is the Good Shepherd who is our Guide. He is the Exact Image of God who expresses the Father to us. He is the Man of Sorrows who weeps with us in our hurts. He is the Mediator who stands between man and God. He is our Advocate who pleads our case before the Heavenly throne. He is the First Born from the Dead as He conquered death, hell and the grave. He is the Door through which we enter into salvation. He is Friend to the friendless. He is Hope to the hopeless. He is the Rock upon which we stand. He is the Vine through which we draw our life. He is the Word by which the Father speaks to us. He is Revelator by which the Father reveals Himself. He is the Great Physician who can heal all our spiritual woes. He is the Branch on whom we can hang our every burden. He is the Master unto whom we yield our allegiance. He is the Faithful and True Witness who we can count on. He is the Lover of my soul who while I was yet a sinner died for me. He is the Key of David who holds the key to life. He is the Atonement who makes it possible for us to have at-one-ment with the Father. He is the Amen of whom none greater came after Him. He is the King Eternal who chose to dwell with us in time. He is the Forerunner who leads us through the wilderness. He is our Passover resulting in the curse of death and sin passing over us. He is the Carpenter who desires to reconstruct in our lives. He is the Just One who someday right all wrongs. He is the Seed from which believers’ sprout. He is the Unchanging One who is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is the End of the Law fulfilling the Law for us. He is the Rose of Sharon who adds fragrance to our lives.

He is the Lily of the Valley adorned with heavens beauty. He is our Overseer who never slumbers nor sleeps in his watchcare over us. He is the Apostle sent from above. He is our Ransom who paid the price for our sins. He is Horn of Salvation onto whom we take hold. He is Jacob’s Staff which steadies us as we walk through life. He is the Dayspring who gives light to those who sit in darkness. He is the Beloved through whom the Father expressed His love for humanity. He is the Accepted One by whom we are accepted before the Father. He is the Prophet who knows all about us. He is our Strong Tower where we can find asylum. He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who is triumphant over all others. He is the Scepter in whom is invested all authority. He is the Stone made without hands on which we can stand. He is the Arm of the Lord who lifts us out of the miry clay. He is the Virgin Born in whom no sin flowed in his veins. He is the Only Potentate who has no predecessor and will have no successor. He is Captain who commands those who follow Him. He is the Way in the midst of the world’s confusing maze. He is the Blessed One who blesses us. He is the Foundation on which one can build their life. He is the All Sufficient One who meets our every need. He is Teacher for those seeking moral and spiritual instruction. He is Wisdom in the midst of our bewilderment. He is the Elect One in whom all who yield to Him become the elect. He is the Elder Brother who forever stands by our side. He is the Bridegroom who comes to claim His Bride (Church). He is the Judge before who all will one-day stand. He is the Fullness of the Godhead who became flesh and dwelt among us. He is the Son of God for He came from God. He is the Son of Man for came to identify with man. He is the Baptizer who came to impart to us the Holy Spirit. He is the Babe who was born a King. He is the Star in the midnight experiences of our lives. He is the Holy Child whom the prophets predicted, who the shepherds wondered in awe, the Wisemen worshipped, and to those who have an encounter with Him find themselves never again being the same. And above all, He is Lord of all before whom one day every knee shall bow and confess, “Jesus Christ is Lord.”

O, how I wish I could describe Him!!

Merry Christmas,
Dr. Dan

WAS THE ANGEL GABRIEL RIGHT?

/ Dr. Daniel Merritt / Leave a comment

The angel Gabriel appeared unto an unsuspecting teenager named Marangelmaryy. He informed her she would be the vessel through whom God would fulfill His long-expected promise of bringing a Savior into the world. Stunned at heaven’s message to her, she was filled with bewilderment and trembling-wonder how this can be seeing she had never known a man. Yet she yields herself as a willing vessel, being told that the child being formed in her womb shall be called Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.” Was Mary delusional or was the angel right? Time would tell.

Not long after Jesus’ birth Herod is found giving the command to have all male children two years of age and under slaughtered to make sure he eliminates this one who some were calling the King of the Jews. Mary and Joseph have to flee to Egypt for safety. If this Child is to be “God with us,” why such a travesty following His birth? Was the angel wrong?

This Child that was to be “God with us” is found rebuking Mary when she seeks for Him to display who the angel promised Him to be. In public and in a tone that probably tore at her heart, He tells her at a wedding, “Woman, what have I to do with thee?” (John 2) and in Matthew 12 when she seeks to talk with Him Jesus responds, “Who is my mother or brother but those who do the will of God.” No doubt Mary thought, “If Jesus is ‘God with us’ why does He seem so distant? Why does He even seem harsh to me at times? Could the angel have been wrong?”

Throughout His ministry Mary witnesses, in spite of Jesus’ miraculous deeds, the many hurtful remarks made about Him and hears of the many plots to kill the One to whom she gave birth. If He is “God with us” why is He not being accepted? And horror of horrors, she finally stands at the foot of a cruel cross and watches in agony as her son is crucified like a common criminal. He heart is broken and torn, as only a mother can fully feel and understand, tearfully watching her Son die. Whatever happened to the promise of the angel that He would be Emmanuel, “God with us?”

Could the angel have been wrong? Mary got her answer to that question three days later as an angel announced at the open tomb, “He is not here. He is risen.” Excited women and startled disciples were running around echoing the angel’s message, “He is risen.” The angel Gabriel had not been wrong, Mary had only misunderstood. The resurrection of her Son made it possible for Him to fulfill what the angel had originally promised Mary, “He shall be God with us.” His resurrection proved Christ was who the angel had promised; now alive for evermore it is possible for His presence to be with us in every situation and circumstance of our lives.

Like Mary, we may ask, “If Jesus is ‘God with us’ why does He seem distant at times? Why does life seem at times harsh? Why does my heart still become broken by sorrow and heartache?” No, the angel was not wrong, but, like Mary, we have a misunderstanding about the message of Christmas.

The Christmas story doesn’t mean there will be no more trials or problems, but because of Emmanuel, “God with us,” we have a new way to approach them.

The Christmas story doesn’t mean we don’t still fail and sin, but because of Emmanuel, “God with us,” we can find in Him forgiveness for all our sins.

The Christmas story doesn’t mean all our burdens are taken away, but because of Emmanuel, “God with us,” we are given an enabling strength to carry on.

The Christmas story doesn’t mean we will not have sorrow, but because of Emmanuel, “God with us,” He is there to comfort us and see us through to brighter days.

The Christmas story doesn’t mean loneliness will not sometimes visit us, but because of Emmanuel, “God with us,” we have the promise that He is always with us by our sides never leaving us alone.

The Christmas story doesn’t mean the world has changed, but because of Emmanuel, “God with us,” we have changed.

The Christmas story doesn’t mean our dreams and plans are not sometimes shattered, but because of Emmanuel, “God with us,” He gives us give new dreams, hopes and purposes that have eternal value.

The Christmas story doesn’t mean that sickness, disease and death will not eventually come to us, but because of Emmanuel, “God with us,” we find He is the resurrection and the life and those who believe in Him shall inherit eternal life.

The angel was right after all. The Christmas story means God in Christ is with us at all times. The Christmas story means it is possible to have a relationship with the promised Christ that is not subject to time, place or circumstances. Christmas means that we can say, “God with us” has birthed His presence into whatever circumstances and situations we go through.

The angel was right, Emmanuel is with us. That being true, the Christmas story can be experienced every day, all the year through.

Merry Christmas,

Dr. Dan

 

 

 

 

 

 

IT IS NOT ABOUT WHEN CHRIST WAS BORN BUT THAT HE WAS

/ Dr. Daniel Merritt / Leave a comment

the-birth-of-jesus-christJesus Christ was born. Now that is worth celebrating!! There are some, though,  within Christendom who oppose celebrating Christmas because as they contend, “Jesus was not actually born on December 25 and the early Christmas celebrations coincided with the pagan winter solstice feast in honor of Mithra, the unconquered sun-god.” The “first” celebration of Christmas (meaning “coming of Christ”) was observed in 336 AD, some twenty-four years after  Constantine, the Roman Emperor, declared Christianity the religion of the empire. Pope Julius I sought to replace the pagan feast with a new feast honoring and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the “Sun of Righteousness” (Malachi 4:2). In the years that followed the Christmas celebration slowly spread throughout Christendom.

I would not spend a minute arguing with someone who wants to object to celebrating Christmas because of its early origin. I personally don’t know anyone who seeks to celebrate the sun-god Mithra, but there are millions and millions of people at Christmastime who exalt Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior. If one fails to celebrate the birth of Christ who is the foundational reason behind Christmas then one truly misses out on experiencing the most wonderful time of the year. It is not important when Jesus was born, but that He was born…and that is worth celebrating whenever we choose to celebrate!

Now the question that I have had asked me many times over the years is, “If Jesus was not born on December 25, when was He born?” Without being dogmatic, let us see if we can deduce an approximate time of Christ’s birth by examining the Biblical record.

If it can be ascertained when Elizabeth conceived John the Baptist, then we can arrive at an estimated calculation for Christ’s birth. The Bible records that Zacharias, Elizabeth’s husband, was informed by the angel Gabriel that his wife would give birth to a child who would be the forerunner of the Messiah. Zacharias, a priest, was ministering in the Temple when the angel visited him (Luke 1:8, 24-26). Luke 1:5 tells us that Zacharias was a priest of the division of Abijah. It is discovered from First Chronicles 24,  the Talmud, Mishnah, and other Jewish sources that the division of Abijah served the second half of the fourth month of the Jewish religious calendar, which began in March with the Passover. This then would have been in mid to late June when Elizabeth conceived John the Baptist.

Luke goes on to record that it was six months after Elizabeth became pregnant with John the Baptist (June) that Mary was informed by the angel Gabriel that she had been chosen to give birth to the Christ Child (Luke 1:31, 36-39). So six months later would have been near the end of December when Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary and when she visited the home of Elizabeth to inform her that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Messiah (Luke 1:36).

So  fifteen (15) months after the conception of John the Baptist, Jesus would have been born. That would have been in the seventh month of the Jewish religious calendar, which would have been in late September. Such a time for the arrival of Christ would have been perfect timing with the most joyous of Jewish feasts, as the end of September was the beginning of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. It would only be appropriate that Christ be born at a time that would coincide with such a feast of thanksgiving and joyous reliance upon God’s grace and watchcare. Did John give us a hint of the time of Christ’s birth?  John 1:14 tells us that the Word (Christ) was made flesh and “dwelt” among us. The Greek word translated “dwelt” literally means He “tabernacled” or “pitched his tent” among us. Jesus came to tabernacle with man. So did Christ’s birth coincide with the Feast of Tabernacles? If so, it would have been a most fitting time. While this timeline some would consider speculation it seems to fit with the biblical record.

Again, the exact time when Christ was born is not important, what is important is that He was born. And in the birth of Jesus Christ the Creator took upon Himself the form of a servant and clothed Himself in human flesh to “tabernacle” among us. His destiny went beyond a wooden manger filled with straw, but a rough wooden cross where He as humanity’s Substitute was nailed… it was there He paid a sin debt that He did not owe but that you and I could never pay.

To the heart that has by grace been awakened to the amazing and marvelous truth of Christ’s finished work on the cross, the joy of Christmas dwells in one’s soul every day. While there was no room in the inn for Christ on the night of His birth, those who have experienced His birth in the inn of their heart can celebrate Christmas daily. While there are those who like to wrangle over the exact time when Christ was born, this I know…He was born and to those who know Him as Savior the joy of the Christmas season can dwell in one’s heart 365 days out of the year!!!

Blessings,

Dr. Dan

 

 

SING JOYFULLY – THE ANGELS DO

/ Dr. Daniel Merritt / Leave a comment

A few years ago I had a question asked of me that I have never had asked me before or since! It was a good question to ask, it being the Christmas season. The question was, “Does the Bible say that angels sing?”  The person asking me the question was under the impression angels sing, but someone had told them there is no place in the Bible where it says angels sing. Must we abandon our singing of, “Hark The Herald Aangels-singingjpgngels Sing”?!?!

I think there is Biblical evidence that angels do sing. One truth is for sure, the Bible does not say they don’t sing!

Job 38:7 seems to clearly indicate that the angels sang at the creation of the world. “The Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said…’Who marked off its dimensions?…who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set or who laid its cornerstone – while the morning stars sang together and all the angles shouted for joy?’” (Job 38:1-7).   In this passage the words “morning stars” is another term for angels and is an example of Hebrew parallelism, where the second line of Hebrew poetry repeats the same idea as the first line in different words yet they have the same meaning. In other words, the “morning stars” (angels) sang and shouted for joy at creation.

Whether angels sang or not was never a question with the Jews. Found in Jewish tradition is the belief that in order for angelic songs of praise and worship to be heard before the throne of God at all times the angels sang in shifts.  In the Midrash, which is a collection of Jewish teachings as found in the Torah, is recorded that when Moses spent his forty days with God that he knew what time it was by the angels changing singing shifts.

When it comes to the Christmas story it reads, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men’” (Luke 2:13-14). Some will point out that the word “saying” is used not “singing.” However, to focus only on the word “saying” is too narrow of a focus. It also says the “heavenly host” (angels) were “praising God.” Doesn’t praise imply singing as well? Just what is praise? Praise according the dictionary is “the offering of grateful homage in word or song, as an act of worship, a hymn of praise to God.”

The word praise points us to singing. Praising the Lord and singing are inexorably connected. Praising the Lord on such a joyous occasion as the birth of Christ how could such praise not lead to singing? The announcement of Christ’s birth was not sterile and mechanical. It would be unimaginable to think the angels didn’t sing at the birth of our Savior.  It would be unimaginable to think that whatever the angles had to “say” their praise naturally flowed into in joyous singing.  To say otherwise is to rob the Christmas story of its wonder, joy, and heavenly excitement.

The eloquent British preacher, Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), in a Christmas sermon entitled The First Christmas Carol, preached on December 20, 1857, said of the angels, “They sang the story out, for they could not stay to tell it in heavy prose. They sang, ‘Glory to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men.’ Methinks they sang it with gladness in their eyes; with their hearts burning with love, and with breasts as full of joy as if the good news to man had been good news to themselves.”    To Spurgeon’s words I say, “Amen.”

The angels sang at creation and at Christ’s birth, and we find angels singing in the book of Revelation. Throughout Revelation chapters four and five are filled with reference to “angels,” “living creatures,” “the four beasts,” “twenty-four elders,” and “every creature which is in heaven” (5:13), worshiping, saying, singing, and praising He who sits on the throne. It is obvious the terms are used interchangeably to speak of singing as the meaning, not just speaking. Revelation 5:8-10  reads that the four beasts and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb (Christ), “having every one of them harps and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints, and they sung a new song, saying….”

While the four beasts and twenty-four angels were singing the next verse says the angels joined in with them. When speaking of the angels, Revelation 5:11-12  declares, “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.’”  While the term “saying” is used, it is most clear the terms sung (v. 10) and saying (vs.10-11) are used synonymously as, again, verse 9 reads, “and they sung a new song, saying…” With chapters four and five of Revelation bathed in song, praise and worship, it is rather obvious that singing is implied and is the meaning, not just speaking.

Do angels sing? I think the answer is obvious. God has created “every creature which is in heaven and on the earth” (Rev. 5:13), with an inner propensity for singing and exhorts us to sing and make melody in our hearts to Him (Eph. 5:19). At Christmas time if you listen closely you can hear angels singing all around us of the Good News that a Savior has come to dwell with us.

This Christmas let us lift our voices in song with the chorus of angels who on that first Christmas night sang joyfully of our Savior’s birth. This Christmas let us raise our voices in praise and joyful song for our great God who came to walk amongst us. As we sing of the Christmas story we continue that crescendo of praise heard on that first Christmas night and that has continued to echo down through the ages.  Sing joyfully. The angels do.

Blessings,

Dr. Dan

THE WONDER OF CHRIST(MAS)

/ Dr. Daniel Merritt / Leave a comment

WonderofXmasChristmas has different meanings to different people. Some attempt to celebrate the season without any reference to Christ at all, for most He is the reason for the season. You can count me among those in the latter crowd. To celebrate the Christmas season without Christ as the honored guest is like celebrating a birthday for someone who isn’t even there!

I wish there were words that would allow me to describe to you how wondrous Jesus is to me. I wish this Christmas season it was possible for me to paint a picture on the canvas of your soul of the wonder of Christ. Words fail me in my attempt to describe the indescribable Christ, but I will seek to try.

Jesus is wondrous to me because…

In my sin He is the Forgiver of all my transgressions.

In my unrighteousness He is my Perfect Righteousness.

In my utter lostness He is my Savior.

In my separation from the Creator He is my Mediator and Advocate.

In my unlovableness He is the Lover of my soul.

In my rebellion He became my Lord.

In my spiritual poverty He is the Richness of my life.

In my cloudy days He is my Shining Sun.

In my failure He is my Restorer.

In my vulnerability He is my Strong Tower.

In my choices He is my King.

In my barrenness He is my Fruitful One.

In my lack He is my Fullness.

In my wandering He is my Good Shepherd.

In my thirst He is my Water of Life.

In my search for truth He is the Eternal Truth.

In my sorrow He is my Comforter.

In my sadness He is my Joyous Song.

In my fears He is my Prince of Peace.

In my indecision He is my Counselor.

In my life’s detours He is my Unchanging Road.

In my regrets He is my New Beginning.

In my perplexity He is my Wisdom.

In my inability He is my Enabler.

In my burdens He is my Burden Bearer.

In my defeats He is my Conquering Hero.

In my darkest night He is my Guiding Light.

In my insufficiency He is my Sufficiency.

In my loneliness He is my Immanuel, God’s presence with me.

In my discouragement He is my Encourager.

In my questions He is my Answer.

In my deserts He is my Oasis.

In my betrayals He is my Dearest Friend.

In my distractions He is my Focus.

In my entanglements He is my Emancipator.

In my fiery trials He is my Refiner.

In my temptations He is my Escape.

In my interruptions He is my Appointment.

In my disappointments He is my Promise.

In my tears He is my Understanding One.

In my discontent He is my Satisfaction.

In my dead ends He is my Door.

In my unutterable groanings He is my Intercessor.

In my quietness He is my Word.

In my distress He is my soul’s Calm.

In my confusion He is my Certainty.

In my chaos He is my Order.

In my soul’s hunger for answers He is my satisfying Bread of Life.

In my weakness He is my Strength.

In my sickness He is my Great Physician.

In my hopelessness He is my Living Hope.

In my fleeting days He is my Ancient of Days.

In the face of death He is my Resurrection and my Eternal Life.

Jesus is all that to me and more. O, the wonder of Christ(mas). I just wish this Christmas there was some way I could express to you how wondrous Jesus is. Paul was correct when he wrote, “Thanks be to God for His unspeakable, indescribable, amazing, and wondrous gift of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Merry Christ(mas),

Dr. Dan

JESUS: OUR ETERNAL NOW

/ Dr. Daniel Merritt / Leave a comment

Where has the year gone? I can’t believe it is December already. We are now embarking upon the Christmas season. As the song says, “It is the most wonderful time of the year.” It is that time of the year that sharing, giving, good will and love seem to abound. But let us not forget among our many activities the reason for Christmas – the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. There can be no Christmas without Christ. Emmanuel

The wonder of Bethlehem is that our eternal God took upon Himself our flesh. It is beyond comprehension to think that our God would ever do such a thing. Yet He did. Being born into time we see our eternal God becoming the eternal NOW in Jesus; the One who is ever with us.

How is it possible that God could become a man? Why would He become a man? Paul ponderingly wrote, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness, God was manifest in the flesh… (I Tim. 3:16). A.W. Pink has written, “As to how Christ can be the Revealer of God, and yet God Himself revealed; as to how He can be ‘with God,’ and yet be God are high mysteries that our finite minds are not capable of fathoming and understanding.”

To me the question is not how God became a man but WHY He became a man. Let us examine six reasons why God became a man.

First, God became a man in order to REVEAL. In the person of Jesus God came to show us what He was like. Phillip on one occasion asked Jesus if he could see God. Jesus responded to Him by saying, “He that has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:8-9). In Christ we find a God who loves, is touched with our hurts, who forgives, who judges sin, which walks by our side, who hasn’t given up on us, and who awaits for us to come to Him. If you want to know what God is like look at Jesus.

Second, God became a man in order to be our REMEDY. In Mark 10:45 Jesus tells us He came to give His life a ransom for us. A ransom is given in exchange for someone or something else. In some Greek literature the Greek word translated ransom was used to refer to an antidote or a remedy. Christ came to be the antidote for our sin problem. We can in no way ever meet the perfect, pure holy standards of God. God is holy and holiness demands holiness in return which we are unable to comply. Holiness opposes sin and must judge it, therefore since we can’t comply with the demands of holiness the just reward for sin is separation from God. In Christ our God assumed our obligation. He lived the holy life we could never live and then took upon Himself on the cross the just judgment that must fall upon sin. He is the remedy, the antidote for our sin problem. That which we could not do He did for us, and the judgment upon sin which we deserved He took for us. What amazing grace that He would be our remedy; be our ransom.

Third, God became a man in order to RECONCILE. In 2 Corinthians 5:19 Paul tells us, “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.” The word “reconcile” comes from the realm of friendship. God was in Christ making it possible, by His life and actions on the cross, for man to enter into a restored relationship with the God of the universe. Again, our sin separates us from being able to enter into a relationship with a holy a God. Jesus came that He might take the hand of God and the hand of man and restores the relationship that sin had severed. Shortly before going to the cross Jesus told His disciples, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Because He who spoke all things into existence became a man and laid down His life for us, it is possible for man to enter into a relationship of friendship with Him. Wow!

Fourth, God became a man in order to REDEEM. Over and over again the Bible says in Christ we have been redeemed; “we have been bought with a price” (I Cor. 6:20). The word “redeem” comes from the realm of slavery; it means to see free. Christ came to preach deliverance to the captives and set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18). He came to free us from the guilt of sin, from sin’s destructiveness, from hopelessness, and from meaninglessness. Christ in the giving us His life on Calvary has paid the price to redeem us, to set us free.

Fifth, God became a man in order to REBUILD. The Carpenter of Galilee is still in the rebuilding business. Life has a way of tearing us down; sin has a way of destroying; but Christ can rebuild in our lives that which life and sin has sought to destroy. He can rebuild our dreams, our hopes, give new meaning, give new purpose, and give new direction. He is able to take the beggar from the dust and set him among princes. Christ can restore in our lives that which the locusts has destroyed. No matter how we have been damaged, the Mater Carpenter can repair, restore and rebuild in our lives.

Sixth, God became a man in order to RESIDE. The prophet Isaiah said His name shall be called, “Emmanuel, meaning ‘God with us’ (Matthew 1:23). God became a man in Jesus Christ to reside with us daily, that we might know “God with us” each day of our lives. Because God became a man there is no situation, no circumstance, and no difficulty which you and I face alone. Christ says to us, “I am with you always even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). What a truth to know! What a truth to experience! Jesus is the Eternal NOW.

God became a man! When one ponders why God became a Man one can’t help but to exclaim with Paul, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable, indescribable, wonderful, inexpressible gift” (2 Cor. 9:15). In the Words of Isaac Watts,who penned the immortal Christmas carol Joy to the World, let us lift our voices in joyful thanksgiving and song:

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Blessings,

Dr. Dan