“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”

Thought for the day:

In America, and a few other locations there is a holiday called Groundhog Day. Its origins can be tracked back to a European event called Candlemas but for me the 90s film “Groundhog Day” is the reason I’m aware of this holiday. While no expert on this subject, from what I’ve read, it seems that people watch a groundhog come out of his burrow. The groundhog will either stay out of his burrow or immediately return to it. The folklore states that if he sees his shadow, he will rush back into his burrow and this indicates that Winter will persist for another 6 weeks. If he stays out, it is because the weather is turning milder and therefore Spring will arrive early! This event is eagerly anticipated and there are many, many people who hold early morning celebrations on February 2^nd. The largest of these events is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania where more than 40,000 people gather on this day to wait for the groundhog to appear. 

In our verse today we read of someone waiting patiently for something to happen. Simeon had been ‘told’ by God that he wouldn’t die until he had seen the Messiah. I’ve no idea how he’d been told this but Simeon means ‘one who hears’. Perhaps if we have an attitude of continually listening to what God is saying to us, we’ll be amazed at what He reveals. The scripture uses a very interesting phrase here ‘The Consolation of Israel’. This is used specifically by Rabbis in reference to the Messiah, the Anointed One and here, God’s Spirit is clear in what is being communicated. Jesus is the Messiah! At its root meaning, it means comforter. Simeon had waited a lifetime for this moment. I guess that every day, he would go to the temple and just like those people waiting for the groundhog, Simeon would wait for a child to arrive at the temple. In huge contrast though, the appearing of Jesus wouldn’t herald in an early Spring, He would bring an eternal hope. He was the beginning of a new covenant between God and man. He would bring light to the darkness, He would bring deliverance to the captive and would set free all those who are bound. He was to show us the way back to the Father. In fact, He IS the way. He’s the truth and the life. 40000 people wait to see a groundhog. One man waited for Jesus. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely. On Monday, we’ll see a little more of what it meant to Simeon.

Prayer and Application:

Has God revealed to you that He’s going to do something in your life? Use Simeon’s example of patient expectation and this morning, pray in faith believing that God will bring it to pass.

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. “When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons”” 

Thought for the day:

In order to understand this verse, we need to look at the ‘Law of Moses’ quoted in the verse: Leviticus 12:6-8 “‘When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering. He shall offer them before the LORD to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood. “‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”

This is just a short study for today and I only want to bring a couple of things to your attention. The law states that there is an alternative option for anyone who cannot afford the sacrifice. Instead of a lamb, the woman was entitled to bring a pigeon or a dove. From our text in Luke, it seems that Mary brought doves or pigeons and therefore we can assume that she didn’t have the money to afford a lamb. We could apply this to our experience and recognise that none of us are able ‘to purchase’ our salvation. Only Jesus could pay the debt that we owed, and we simply have to accept Him as our Saviour in order to have a right relationship with God. 

The second thing is that, in a similar way to Abraham and Isaac in Genesis, ‘The Lord will provide Himself a lamb’. Even though Mary brought the doves/pigeons, The Lamb of God was also with her. God had indeed provided not just A sacrifice, but THE sacrifice. Jesus was the Lamb of God and would take away the sin of the whole world. What a great provision we see here in this simple verse. God incarnate, deity. Jesus, the Messiah. Our Saviour!

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

Thought for the day:

I don’t have a lot of memories from my youth. I have a vague recollection of some things but the details are quite hazy. However, there is one event that is very clear and always makes me laugh out loud when I think about it. I know it’s April 1^st but this is not a joke. I was visiting my grandmother at her house and my cousin was there at the same time. We’d been there a short time when my nan said to my cousin “Do me a favour bach, run up the shop for me will you?” Without a moment’s hesitation, he instantly obeyed and went running up the hill to the very few shops in the village.

Some minutes later he returned and asked a very important question: “What did you want in the shop nan?” He had hurried off, wanting to be obedient without knowing why he was going. While humorous for us, it demonstrates a wonderful character and attitude to service. 

The shepherds didn’t know what they were going to do when they got to Bethlehem but they went anyway. I’m sure that they wouldn’t have the faintest idea of what they could possibly offer in this situation. The Saviour of the world was born there and they were a few shepherds. What could they take? How could they be sure that they’d be able to find him? They knew they had to be there and weren’t worried about the fine details. If you’re at all like me then you’d ask for all the details. Thankfully, I think the shepherds were familiar with the story of Abram. God had said to him: “go to a place that I will show you” and God would fill in the detail as he went. God expects us to be obedient to His Word and to respond in faith, trusting Him for every step and for every detail. We have no idea what God is going to do at Oasis Community Church in the next 12 months. We can however be sure that He will never fail us. He is for us and won’t abandon His promise in our lives. This is what He’s saying to us : “Demonstrate faith in my Word and watch what I will accomplish.” 

Prayer and Application:

I normally ask you to look back at what God has done and praise Him for His faithfulness. Today I’m going to ask you to look forward. Take some time in meditative prayer and see what God is revealing to you about the future. Is He leading your thoughts into particular areas? Pray that through and in faith claim what He’s saying to you.

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.”

Thought for the day:

I don’t want to alarm you, but it’s roughly 270 days to Christmas! As the day approaches, many people begin to get in the festive spirit and excitement builds as the day gets closer. Many others detest the commercial emphasis and are concerned that they won’t have enough money to purchase all the gifts that are seemingly a necessity. When our children were small, there’s no denying that we bought them too many presents! On Christmas Eve, we would lay out the gifts carefully: my daughter’s gifts on one side of the room and my son’s on the left. When they walked into the room, their faces lit up as they saw so many things to unwrap! When they had finished with all those presents, they would sit there looking at them all not knowing what to play with first. 

Every year we did the same thing: we would give them one more ‘big’ gift each – as their ‘main present’. They’d received so much but there was more to come. 

Our verse today needs to be read in the context of the previous verses. An angel of the Lord had appeared suddenly and given them fantastic news. God’s glory had surrounded them as they gazed in awe, wonder and fear at the angel. Can you imagine being there that night? Wouldn’t it have been amazing? However, the next verse begins with a familiar word: “Suddenly”.

Now, there wasn’t just one angel but a whole host of them. “A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel”. If their minds hadn’t been blown by the first sudden event, then they certainly were at the second! Just when they thought they’d seen it all, there was more to come. John 1:16 says: “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.” Grace upon grace and God keeps pouring out blessing. Oasis Community Church has been the recipient of so much blessing during the last 4 years or so. Many people’s lives have been impacted by the grace of God. Blessed beyond measure is more than just a motto – it’s a reality. God has been so good to us. Do we have faith to believe that this is just the ‘first suddenly’? Can we trust Him to pour out the next blessing over our church and community? Let us paraphrase Mary’s words in response – ‘Lord, be it unto us according to Your Word’.

Prayer and Application:

I’m going to ask you to commit to memory John 1:16. Quote it in your prayers for the next few days. Return God’s Word to Him and trust Him to do even more than He’s done previously.

“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Saviour — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”

Thought for the day:

These days there are scams everywhere. One morning, I sat at my computer to check my email and was interested when I read the subject of one of the emails: “£10 free for all readers”. I get so much spam email but despite being disappointed so many times before after emails like this, I decided to take this one at face value and read more. 

Everything looked quite good – all I had to do was go to the store between certain dates to pick up the “Free £10 voucher”. I began to think how busy the store would be if everyone who had received this email turned up at the same time. Then, right at the bottom of the email, in VERY small writing was the statement that made all the difference: “Terms and conditions apply. Minimum spend £100 in a single transaction. Sales items exempt. Voucher must be redeemed within 5 days.”

What seemed like good news for all the readers actually turned out to be an offer only for those who could afford to pay £100. 

Our verse today is not like that spam email. The bible teaches us that everyone has been separated from God because of sin. There is no way in which we can bridge that gap through leading a good life or by following a set of rules. Sin requires a Saviour. Well, when the angel appeared to these shepherds, every word was true: Good news for ALL people.

Today, the Saviour has been born! The way back to God has been revealed and this is great news that should cause us all to be full of joy! Jesus is the Saviour of the world and all we need to do is to accept Him! No terms and conditions. Absolutely no minimum spend! The debt of sin is so great that we could never pay it back. We can’t even make a substantial contribution! 

But Jesus has been born and He’s going to pay everything on our behalf. He’s going to ensure that we have everything we need for life and godliness. We can now live as God wanted us to live – in a personal relationship with a Holy God and that really is “Good News for All the people!”

Prayer and Application:

I know we’ve done this so many times, but in the light of today’s verse, just spend a few minutes in a prayer of thanks for your salvation. Thank God for sending Jesus and praise Him for this amazing free gift. 

“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Saviour — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”

Thought for the day:

As anyone who knows me will tell you, my memory isn’t so good but way back in the mists of time something happened that I remember very vividly. 

It was 1977 and early one morning I was travelling in the car with my mother when I saw a newspaper advertising board outside a newsagent. It wasn’t the board that caught our attention; it was the 2 words on it that were so compelling: “Elvis Dead”.

This was pre-internet days and we certainly didn’t have the wall to wall news coverage that is so prevalent today. This really was news and it shocked us both. How can something like this happen so suddenly? The so-called King of Rock n Roll was dead and none of us saw it coming. It really did happen suddenly.   

Suddenly is a very interesting word. In 2015 when we visited Swansea City Church, the pastor, Michael Williams gave us this word and stated that God would indeed work ‘Suddenly’. I’m sure that we all can clearly see the outworking of that prophetic word to our fellowship. It really has been amazing in the life of Oasis Community Church. But let’s think a little more about that word.Going back to our Elvis story, we all know now that his health was deteriorating over a long period of time and due to the amount of medicine he was taking, it really was no surprise that he was about to die. But for those of us who didn’t know the inside story, it appeared to be a sudden death. The shepherds in the field that night were shocked when the angel showed up because it really was a sudden event for them. To God though, nothing was a surprise. Ever since the fall of Adam in the garden, God had declared that this night was coming. Through all the prophets, God had spoken that one day, the Messiah would be born. And suddenly, that day had dawned. In the life of Oasis Community Church, God is doing a fantastic work and for us everything is happening suddenly just as God had promised. We are in awe though, to consider that God had planned all of this before the creation of the world. Nothing that happens to us is a surprise to God. His Hand has been on it the entire time. This is the outworking of His will and His purpose. It is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes. May God continue to surprise us as we marvel at all that He’s doing and will do ‘suddenly’ at Oasis Community Church.

Prayer and Application:

Bring the most difficult circumstance your facing to the Lord today. Think about the impossibility of God becoming flesh in the person of Jesus Christ and just reach out in faith to God for your circumstance. Believe that He’s been working all this time on your behalf and ask Him to break through ‘suddenly’ into that circumstance.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.”

Thought for the day:

A few years ago, the Duchess of Cambridge was expecting her first child and as she was admitted to hospital, seemingly the whole world held its breath awaiting the news of the birth. Outside the hospital, scores of photographers and news crews from around the world gathered in preparation for the announcement. Along with the media, hundreds of people from all over the UK ‘camped out’ in the street poised ready to wave their Union Jack flags in response to the amazing news of the birth. 

After some 10 hours in labour, HRH Prince George Louis Alexander of Cambridge was born and became 3^rdin line to the throne after his father Prince William and his grandfather Prince Charles. This future king was born and the world rejoiced. Official notification of the birth was placed on a gold plated easel at Buckingham Palace and was signed by several officials at the Palace. The following day, Prince George was presented to the world’s media wrapped in the finest of blankets before being driven to their home at Kensington Palace. Thousands of photographs soon made their way on to the internet and now the whole world was aware of the birth of this future king. 

What a stark contrast this is when we read our verses today from Luke. This week we’re going to read about the announcement of the birth of Jesus. Today’s verse puts a marker down as to how this is going to be done. In contrast to the world’s media being put on alert, God chooses to make the big announcement to some shepherds. The baby isn’t the 3^rd in line to any royal throne but is the promised messiah who would sit on God’s throne for all eternity. People have looked forward to this event for centuries. It has been prophesied since the dawn of time and there is no earthly royalty involvement. No officials or dignitaries were asked to attend the birth. God chose to find some lowly shepherds in the fields to inform them first of what was unfolding in Bethlehem that night. Shepherds were regarded as a despised class of people, not least because the nature of the job meant that it was very difficult to observe all the regulations of Mosaic law. Nevertheless, it’s quite clear that they responded properly when given the news (verses 15, 17 and 20). My very short message to you today is to remember that it doesn’t matter what your occupation is, it is irrelevant what other people think of you. The only thing that matters is what God thinks of you! 

Prayer and Application:

Just like these shepherds, rejoice in the knowledge that God has chosen you. He has decided to reveal Jesus to you. Let us respond in the same way as the shepherds and praise God for all that He has done. 

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Thought for the day:

It’s difficult to read these verses without thinking about a school nativity play. Up and down the country, perhaps even the world over, children enact this most basic of stories. Many a young lad is told to stand at the door of his inn and say with a loud voice – ‘Sorry, I have no room’. On multiple occasions I’ve heard the innkeeper say the words with harshness as if he’s deliberately turning them away. I remember one story of a child desperately wanting to be Joseph but given the role of the innkeeper instead. When the moment came for his line, he was envious of the lad knocking his door and said “Mary, you can come in but he’s going to have to stay in the stable!” Can you imagine what it was really like on that night in Bethlehem? 

I suspect that most people were staying with relatives and therefore there was no reason to stay in the local inns. This census needed to be arranged and conducted properly and would need many officials and soldiers of the Roman government. Consider for a moment where all the officials were going to stay? Most Jews would not purposefully come into contact with non-Jews so it is highly likely that the spaces in the inns were taken up with the Romans. One commentator has applied this in the following way: There was no room for Jesus because of the trappings of legalism. Let us ensure that we empty ourselves of such things and give Jesus His rightful place. I don’t have any particular interest in the reasons for the lack of room but it must be noted that Jesus was not born in ‘normal’ surroundings and as a baby, He was placed in a manger. The King of the universe, the creator of the world willingly allowed Himself to be subject to such circumstances. Caesar Augustus was looking for majestic titles but Jesus laid aside such things and humbled Himself in these stark terms. I’m sure that as today progresses, our lives will be filled continually with so many things. Our attention will be demanded by multiple people and circumstances will dictate how the day pans out. Just like an inn, where people will come and go, things will enter our day and leave them perhaps just as quickly. 

Prayer and Application:

My prayer for us all is that we all know the constancy of the presence of Jesus. He said in John 15:4 “Abide in me and I in you.” Let’s not push Him to another place but allow Him pride of place in our hearts and lives.

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Thought for the day:

The phrase “While they were there, the time came…” is an interesting one. As one commentator states: “Mary had up until this time, been living in the wrong place for Messiah’s birth.” The prophecy in Micah 5:2 is very clear in that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. I said at the end of yesterday’s study that Mary had to be in the right place at the right time. In order for this to be so, let’s look briefly at just some of the variables involved. Augustus needed to order a census. Mary had to be married to someone who was from the lineage of David so that they would go to Bethlehem in that census (Egyptian and Jewish census involved the ‘household’ lineage and so Mary’s ancestry had no bearing). Mary had to conceive at the exact time to allow for the pregnancy to go full term at the time of the census. Joseph had to arrange the travel to Bethlehem at precisely the right time to ensure they were there for the birth. They had to leave Nazareth at the planned time. 

If there was just a minor deviation to any of these then the prophecy would not have been fulfilled. WOW. If they had stayed any longer in Nazareth, the prophecy would have failed! They could have decided to stay at Nazareth until after the birth. I mean, that would be the sensible thing to do wouldn’t it? It is truly amazing to see how God has ‘woven’ such an intricate and fine picture of so many components with the result being a fascinating and wondrous tapestry of God’s Glory and Majesty. Ps 118:23 says: “the LORD has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes.” Way back in 2016, Allen encouraged us to look differently at our circumstances. Instead of saying ‘Why me?’, we should be saying to the Lord ‘Ok, this is where I’m at now but where are you taking me next?’ Let’s not get bogged down in our circumstances but learn to understand that His ways are perfect. Everything happens for a reason. We may not know or understand the reason but be assured that He knows! One of the most used verses in Scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and future.”

Prayer and Application:

Let’s look at the verse today and place it deep into our spirits. Stand on the unshakeable truth that God has His hand on your life and that He knows best. When it doesn’t seem logical to ride a donkey across country when you’re about to give birth, lift your eyes to the One who sees everything as it’s meant to be seen. Trust Him and do what He says. He won’t let you down or allow His Word to fail in your life. 

“And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”

Thought for the day:

Have you ever considered tracing your family history? If you have ever watched any daytime television, you will have seen advertisements for companies that will assist you in completing your family tree. Performing such an exercise could be very time consuming but ultimately quite satisfying. I know of people who have managed to find many generations of their ancestors and it is very interesting to see the details. 

It could also be financially rewarding as cases of inheritance will require proof of ancestry. I’m sure there are many of us who are wishing we had long-lost relatives who leave multi-million pound inheritances! Sadly, I don’t think a Lord Jones of Rhigos ever existed with no living relatives apart from my family. 

The bible is full of lists of people and their ancestors. When I was a child, I used to look at page after page of these and assume they were boring detail that meant absolutely nothing. Well, they are there for a reason. In Western culture our ancestry is relatively unimportant, but for Israel, there were very valid purposes to keep such accounts. For example, the Promised land was divided according to tribe and where you lived was determined by your ancestry. Also, in certain circumstances, transfer of property required accurate knowledge of family history. A person who claimed to be a priest had to prove priestly descent and lastly, Royal succession was linked with the Davidic lineage. The Jews kept accurate records of their ancestry because for them it was very important. As a result, we have clear a lineage for Joseph and Mary. God’s Word declares that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem – Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” This was the birthplace of King David and so due to Joseph’s family history, he had to return here for the census. As we have found so many times in the last few studies; God’s Word stands true. Mary accompanying Joseph to Bethlehem at exactly the same time as her baby is due may seem like a huge coincidence but for me it’s clear that God is in control. He sets the timeframe, He manages the agenda and watches over His Word to perform it. Trust Him. He’ll never fail you!

Prayer and Application:

Read Luke 3:23-38. There are some BIG names in there but also some obscure ones. God uses both types of people to perform His purpose. Praise God for the little names in your family history that have brought you to this place and for this time!