THE INN KEEPER

The Keeper missed it all!

It was a busy time, you know
With weary travelers needing rest
The Inn was full, he did his best.

The knock seemed out of place!

“No vacancy” was clear to all
There was no room left anywhere
For Nazareth folk for him to share.

A noise was heard next door!
The lowing sheep and cattle stall
Was found to be the only place
For God's dear Son to find a space.

The Virgin soon gave birth

Upon a dirty stable floor
The Baby's cry was heard that night
While angels bathed the earth in light.

The Keeper missed it all!

The promised King had come to earth!
Had he but known, would he have shared
Some little space? Would he have cared?

Yet Christmas comes again

And yuletide music fills the air
Stop long enough to hear His voice
He knocks and waits! Make Him your choice.
B. Pent

THE CHRISTMAS MYSTERY

A LITLE SEED WAY BACK IN TIME
BEFORE THE WORLD WAS FLUNG IN SPACE
BECAME THE SUBJECT OF GOD'S PLAN
FOR RESCUING THE HUMAN RACE.

OMNISCIENCE SAW THE FALL OF MAN

WITH ALL THE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN
THERE WAS NO HOPE OF ANY KIND
BECAUSE OF DEATH THAT REIGNED WITHIN.

SO GOD DEVISED A METHOD RARE

AND HAD THE PROPHETS WRITE IT DOWN
A VIRGIN WOULD CONCEIVE A CHILD
IN BETHLEHEM'S SMALL JUDAH TOWN.

THE SEED IN MYSTERY WAS REVEALED

THE HOLY SPIRIT, THREE-IN-ONE
COMBINED IN FLESH THE LIVING WORD
AND PLACED IN MARY'S WOMB, A SON.

HOW STRANGE THE VIRGIN MUST HAVE FELT

ON HEARING GABRIEL SHARE THE NEWS
BUT JOSEPH'S DOUBTS WERE NOT AS CLEAR
SINCE IN HIS HEART WERE OTHER VIEWS.

WHEN GOD'S PREDESTINED MOMENT CAME

ETERNITY WAS PRESSED IN TIME
THE SEED BECAME AN EMBREO
AND HEAVEN'S STAR BEGAN TO SHINE.

WHAT MUSIC MUST HAVE FILLED THE SKY

AS ANGEL CHOIRS ANNOUNCED HIS BIRTH
SO WHEN THE SHEPHERDS SAW HIM THERE
PROCLAIMED HIS COMING TO THE EARTH.

THIS CHRISTMAS MYSTERY ONCE CONCEALED

IS OFFERED AS GOD'S GIFT TO ALL
SO EVERY PEOPLE-GROUP ON EARTH
CAN KNOW THE SAVIOR WHEN THEY CALL.
--B. Pent

THE EMPTY THRONE

The trumpet alerted the angels to come

To gather together before the White Throne

The Father announced a miraculous plan

That Jesus would take on the flesh of a man.

Amazement and wonder were seen in their eyes

A virgin would birth heaven's infinite Prize

The ones who were chosen to break the Good News

Appeared to some shepherds, the lowliest of Jews.

“All Glory to God!” was the theme of their song

Lasting peace, was the Gift awaited so long

Emanuel’s coming to Bethlehem's stall

Was God's only Son with salvation for all.

The shepherds and magi who worshiped this King

Saw Him as Messiah; their freedom He'd bring

The path from the stable was marked by a cross

They did not see then, how much it would cost!

While angels rejoiced at the birth of God's Son

Redemption for man through His death would be won

Each sinner partaking the Savior's new birth

Brings praise from the angels in heaven and earth.

B. Pent

THE CHRISTMAS MYSTERY

A LITLE SEED WAY BACK IN TIME
BEFORE THE WORLD WAS FLUNG IN SPACE
BECAME THE SUBJECT OF GOD'S PLAN
FOR RESCUING THE HUMAN RACE.

OMNISCIENCE SAW THE FALL OF MAN

WITH ALL THE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN
THERE WAS NO HOPE OF ANY KIND
BECAUSE OF DEATH THAT REIGNED WITHIN.

SO GOD DEVISED A METHOD RARE

AND HAD THE PROPHETS WRITE IT DOWN
A VIRGIN WOULD CONCEIVE A CHILD
IN BETHLEHEM'S SMALL JUDAH TOWN.

THE SEED IN MYSTERY WAS REVEALED

THE HOLY SPIRIT, THREE-IN-ONE
COMBINED IN FLESH THE LIVING WORD
AND PLACED IN MARY'S WOMB, A SON.

HOW STRANGE THE VIRGIN MUST HAVE FELT

ON HEARING GABRIEL SHARE THE NEWS
BUT JOSEPH'S DOUBTS WERE NOT AS CLEAR
SINCE IN HIS HEART WERE OTHER VIEWS.

WHEN GOD'S PREDESTINED MOMENT CAME

ETERNITY WAS PRESSED IN TIME
THE SEED BECAME AN EMBREO
AND HEAVEN'S STAR BEGAN TO SHINE.

WHAT MUSIC MUST HAVE FILLED THE SKY

AS ANGEL CHOIRS ANNOUNCED HIS BIRTH
SO WHEN THE SHEPHERDS SAW HIM THERE
PROCLAIMED HIS COMING TO THE EARTH.

THIS CHRISTMAS MYSTERY ONCE CONCEALED

IS OFFERED AS GOD'S GIFT TO ALL
SO EVERY PEOPLE-GROUP ON EARTH
CAN KNOW THE SAVIOR WHEN THEY CALL.
--B. Pent

RESURRECTION OF THE KING

                    Matthew 28

THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD

BY SAGE OR PROPHECIES FORETOLD
INVOLVED A MYSTERY ONCE CONCEALED
BUT NOW IN CHRIST HAS BEEN REVEALED.

THE SIGN OF JONAH IN A WHALE

THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS A LIVING HELL
GAVE PROMISE THAT WHEN JESUS DIED
WITHIN THREE DAYS HE WOULD ARISE.

THEN EASTER'S GOLDEN MORNING CAME

AS MARY AND HER FRIENDS EXPLAIN
AN ANGEL ROLLED THE STONE AWAY
ANNOUNCING RESURRECTION DAY!

THE GUARDS BECAME AS DEAD FROM FRIGHT

BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF THAT LIGHT

BUT WHEN THEY TOLD THE PRIESTS THE NEWS

THEY BRIBED THEM TO REPORT FALSE VIEWS.

THE WOMEN THEN RETURNED TO TELL

THE TOMB WAS JUST AN EMPTY SHELL
THAT CHRIST AROSE JUST AS HE SAID
“HE IS ALIVE! NO LONGER DEAD!”

BUT JOHN AND PETER DIDN'T BELIEVE

THAT OUT FROM DEATH LIFE COULD PROCEED
UNTIL THEY RUSHED INTO HIS TOMB
WHERE HOPE REVIVED, DISPELLING GLOOM.

IN GALILEE THE LORD APPEARED

REMOVING EVERY DOUBT THEY FEARED
THE POWER THAT RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD
BECAME HIS PLEDGE THEY WOULD BE LED.

THE KING THEN GAVE THIS LAST COMMAND:

“THE GREAT COMMISSION MUST EXPAND
SO EVERY PEOPLE-GROUP ON EARTH
CAN FIND THROUGH CHRIST A SECOND BIRTH!”

TO PROVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE WAS REAL

BAPTISM WAS THE SIGN AND SEAL
AND FROM A GROWING FAITH WOULD SHARE
THE GOSPEL MESSAGE EVERYWHERE.

THE FINAL PICTURE MATTHEW VIEWS

IS MEANT FOR CHRISTIANS AND FOR JEWS
SO EVERYONE REDEEMED FROM SIN
CAN KNOW THAT JESUS CHRIST IS KING.
--B. Pent

Zechariah 1:7-17 - The Man Among The Myrtle Trees

The curtain rises with a start!
A rider on a horse appears
And stands among some myrtle trees
Where other colored steeds are seen.

But who is he who stands alone?
And why do angel riders roam?
It is the Angel of the Lord
Whose word is like a piercing sword.

The sweating steeds had just returned
Patrolling earth's remotest end
And found the world at peace and rest
While Judah still remained oppressed.

Then in the valley of despair
A voice is heard in fervent prayer
As God the Son stands in their place
Imploring Yahweh for His grace.

The Lord spoke kind and loving words
With promises they would be heard
His Temple will again be raised
With Israel's shout: "the Lord be praised!"
--B. Pent

THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1. The first thing Zechariah sees is a rider on a red horse standing in a ravine (v.9). Who is this rider (v.11) and what might "the ravine" suggest
about where Israel found itself at this time?
2. What is a "christophany" and why would He appear as an angel and not man as indicated in John 1:14?
3. Since we are not told the meaning of these colored steeds (v.8b), what do the colored horses in Revelation 6:1-7 represent and might there be
some parallel? Do you wonder if perhaps they are the same? Why? or Why not?
4. Verse 12 pictures the Angel of the Lord praying to Yahweh on behalf of suffering Israel. We find a similar passage in John 17 between Jesus
and His Father. How should this encourage us during our times of greatest need?

I WONDER AS I WANDER!

My thoughts move once again to this incomprehensible mystery! I follow the shepherds from Bethlehem's hillside after hearing the announcement by angels of Christ's birth. I try to comprehend a virgin birth as I look at Mary's new born son: deity and humanity interwoven. He had no halo or visible marks of divinity I am aware of. Just a normal baby who cried, drank mother's milk, burped and needed wiping several times a day. Yet, He was God incarnate who pre-existed from eternity past: spoke the universe into being; created the world and everything in it; and even pre-arranged His visit to planet earth.

The pungent smell of an animal shelter disturbs my thoughts. I would resent spending even one night there! Where was the eastern culture of hospitality for traveling strangers? Was there no righteous family in Bethlehem available? Yet, even more disturbing is that God was coming to visit earth and all we offer Him is a dung infested stable.

It's Christmas time again and its mystery still boggles reason. Why is our King in rags? What is this covering of flesh? What was God thinking when He sent Jesus into this sin-cursed world? I sure wouldn't have risked it! Would you?

I guess the wonder of it all is that He did come. Wrapped in this indescribable Gift Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 9:15 is the one thing every person seeks: LOVE. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16).

So I find myself once again metaphorically picturing God coming into this sinfully dung-infested heart of mine, cleaning it up, and living in it forever. Jesus stands at every heart's door and continually knocks (Rev.3:20) waiting for our response: "There is room in my heart for Thee!"

Why He chose me is a question I can't answer. That is what makes Christmas so mysterious to me. I am lost in the wonder of His grace as I continually rejoice in His great salvation. So should you be!

WHY IS OUR KING IN RAGS

The throne was empty in heaven
Legions of angels attend
As Gabriel announces His birthday
The questioning Seraphs exclaim:

(refrain)
Why is our King in rags
What is this covering of flesh
Coming from heaven to man?
Its Jesus, God's free Gift of love.

Prophets foretold of His coming
Wondrous miracle birth
Bringing man hope and salvation
Loudly this message proclaim:
(refrain)

Hushed were the voices around them
Shepherds kept vigil by night
Suddenly angels re-echoed
"Emanuel, Savior is born!"
(refrain)

Mary and Joseph in wonder
Look at the Word made in flesh
Glory and honor and blessing
Flooding their spirits with praise.

(refrain)
Why is our King in rags
What is this covering of flesh
Coming from heaven to man?
Its Jesus, God's free Gift of love.
--B. Pent

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!

Some of the Christmas story is wrapped in mystery and some in tradition. While I try to stick to the facts of Scripture, I am intrigued by some details left unwritten or left to the imagination. Some questions actually plague my mind:
* Did the Magi follow the star for almost 2 years? or did it take that long to figure it out?
* If they started out from Persia, were they influenced by the Book of Daniel or Ezekiel?
* How did their encounter with Jesus impact their lives after they returned home?
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!

But then, the appearing of angels to a group of rag-tag shepherds torments me:
* The testimony of shepherds was totally inadmissible in a court of law
* There must have been other, more reliable witnesses, longing and looking for the
Messiah He could have chosen, rather than these shepherds
* So who stayed to care for all those frightened sheep after the angels left? I sure wouldn't
have volunteered, would you? I would want to be the first to see Jesus!
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!

However, the story of Joseph and Mary completely blows me away!
* If a young teen told you her pregnancy was not by a man, wouldn't you give
some thought to her possible insanity?
* How long do you think Joseph struggled when she told him this seeming impossible
ferry tale?
* How did Mary's parents or future in-laws think or react to Mary's explanation?
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!

One thing is NOT left to the imagination:
* Mary's virgin birth was God's supernatural, miraculous plan
* God chose to use the most uncommon witnesses to proclaim the birth of Jesus
* The Star did appear in the East and the Magi followed it until they met Jesus
* Jesus was born in Bethlehem in fulfillment to biblical prophecy
* "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life."
And that is one fact that will change your life! He is the Way, the Truth and the Life! And, the future He is preparing for us is out of this world too. His plan for us is mind-boggling:
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!

WHY IS OUR KING IN RAGS!

The Throne is empty in heaven
Legions of angels attend
As Gabriel announces His birthday
The questioning seraphs exclaim:

(Refrain)
Why is our King in rags?
What is this covering of flesh?
Coming from heaven to Man?
Its Jesus, God's free gift of love.

Prophets foretold of His coming
Wondrous miracle birth
Bringing man hope and salvation
Loudly this message proclaim:

(Refrain)
Why is our King in rags?
What is this covering of flesh?
Coming from heaven to man?
Its Jesus, God's free gift of love.

Hushed were the voices around them
Shepherds kept vigil by night
Suddenly angels re-echoed
Emmanuel, Savior is born.

(refrain)
Why is our King in rags?
What is this covering of flesh?
Coming from heaven to man?
Its Jesus, God's free gift of love.

Mary and Joseph in wonder
Look at the Word made in flesh
Glory and honor and blessing
Flooding their spirits with praise.

(Refrain)
Why is our King in rags?
What is this covering of flesh?
Coming from heaven to man?
Its Jesus, God's free gift of love.
--B. Pent
(words & music sent upon request)

ALIEN ENCOUNTERS!

News spread like a northeaster! She tried to hide it but the secret soon surfaced. Her pregnancy would be a stigma tagged to her for life! She knew her parents would feel the shame. Yet, her greatest fear was telling her fiance. Her explanation seemed a mockery no matter how she worded it.

Wedding plans were already in the works! They seemed so much in love. They had pledged fidelity throughout their courtship. Now she's pregnant! And, not by him either! The news was more than he could bear! Disappointment and anger created an impassable chasm. Like the initial shock when losing a loved one, his thoughts became paralyzed! He faced the only alternatives: break off the engagement or expose her to public disgrace. No one knows how long he wrestled with the consequence of this promiscuous evil but sooner or later a decision had to be made. It was his move!

The night before their meeting, he had some kind of dream or vision of an alien personage from some distant galactic sphere. The encounter was surrealistic! Frozen by fear, he was forced to listen to a strange explanation of his fiance's pregnancy: "what is conceived of her is from the Holy Spirit so don't be afraid to take her as your wife," the voice assured him. The initial response to this immaculate conception was so improbable and inconceivable that it momentarily paralyzed his thinking. Yet, that very experience corroborated with his fiance's unbelievable story of her alien encounter: "the Holy spirit will come upon you and the power of the most high will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." His thoughts immediately raced to Isaiah's 700 year old prophecy: "therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Faith convinced him that his doubts, weighed in the light of this alien encounter, could produce this incomprehensible virgin birth.

Reconciliation was immediate and wedding plans were back on track. Soon after, Joseph and Mary were married.

Naturally, both parents found it hard to believe this indescribable tale! And, the more they tried, the more hollow their story sounded throughout their community. In fact, it was a stigma leveled against the Child that refused to go away.

As government regulations persisted, the young family was forced to move from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Mary went into labor as they approached the city. Joseph tried to get a room in one of the motels but the "no vacancy" signs forced him to scurry for alternative accommodations. Desperation forced him to plead for the use of a shed large enough to accommodate her soon to be delivered child. The Innkeeper relented because of his importunity. The animals, housed in this stable, were brushed aside as Joseph hurriedly laid his cloak over a straw filled manger and made a bed as comfortable as possible for his wife. Before long Mary gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Both parents had agreed with the angel's request that his name be called JESUS.

The same voice that spoke to Joseph and Mary, heralded the Annunciation to a group of shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. Like some supernatural magnet, they were drawn to Bethlehem's stable. Their alien encounter, accompanied by myriads of angels, corroborated with Mary and Joseph's experience. When they saw the Christ, they fell down in worship. May His voice call us back to the central Figure of Christmas, who is the reason for this season, and in true worship acknowledge His Lordship in each of our lives.