Peace on Earth

"And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!' " (Luke 2:1-14 NKJV) Peace, love, hope, and salvation for the world came into the world on a night long ago. Let each one of us be an instrument for carrying these forward every day. A change starts with just one person, just like it did hundreds of years ago! Love, Beau

What about Joseph?

"But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.' " (Matthew 1:20 NKJV) So many things are written about Mary and how admired she is...people seem to forget about Joseph. Granted, Joseph wasn't in the picture as long because he was older and probably had died before Jesus went through his persecutions and death. But, Joseph was also amazing. Think about it. The woman he was going to marry got pregnant and it wasn't even Joseph's. Can you imagine what he thought, and what his friends were probably telling him??? Then an angel comes to him and tells him who this baby is and for Joseph to be the human father. The pressure he must have been feeling. He hadn't signed up for any of this! It's enough he had to worry about how he was going to support his wife, but now he had to think of affording a baby as well, PLUS he had the added responsibility of trying to keep everyone, especially Jesus, safe from those who would be out to kill Him. It also had to weigh heavily on him that, because he knew Jesus' fate, that he probably wouldn't be there for Him and for Mary. But, despite everything, Joseph was the model of a man of grace under pressure. You never hear of him going nuts, losing it, or even getting angry (except that one time when Jesus stayed at the temple...but then he had to act the father). Joseph did what he had to do, and he did it with a cool head and with grace. Joseph was a good man, and should be seen as the male counter role model! Love, Beau

Following the Star

"So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." (Luke 2:15 NKJV) Picture this: You're a shepherd minding your business watching your sheep on a quiet, star-filled night. All of the sudden, this angel appears telling you about this special baby named Jesus that was born, that you just HAVE to go see. Then the angel disappears. Do you question your sanity? Do you think you're so tired you're hallucinating? No, this shepherd, and two of his shepherd friends consult each other and decide to take a leap of FAITH, and make the trek to visit this baby. All they have to guide them is this amazing huge, bright start off in the distance that suddenly appeared. They start on their journey not exactly knowing where they are going in Bethlehem, or what to expect along the way. This took a lot of faith and trust. This is what we all need to have as we make our journey. Our life's path is our journey that ultimately leads to us meeting the baby Jesus someday if we follow the star. But, we too must have faith and trust as we follow the light that leads our path. If we do, we will reach the baby Jesus. Love, Beau

Bring YOUR Gifts

"For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." (Romans 12:4-8 NKJV) In the Christmas song, The Little Drummer Boy, he didn't have anything to bring baby Jesus...so he did what he could, he played his drum. That pleased baby Jesus. God gave us varying talents and gifts that He wants us to USE for His glory. Each of us has thier own special talents and gifts, and that is what God wants us to bring. That is what pleases Him the most. This Christmas holiday season don't go buy the Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh to take Him. Use the gift and talents He gave you. And, we are to have the spirit of the Christmas season ALL year so do it each and every day. This is what pleases the baby Jesus! Love, Beau