Story of God – Your Daily Encouragement

Seven Days 3

tonight we gather in the city to celebrate Passover

Seven Days is a first-person account by John the Disciple of the final seven days before Jesus’ resurrection. Part 1 can be found here.

Thursday

The next day, Jesus sent us on an errand. Even now, it amazes me to think how he could know all that he knew—for example:

He sent James and me into Jerusalem to make the arrangements for Passover. Here were our instructions:

Jesus said, “As you are walking into the city, you will see a man coming toward you carrying a pot of water. Follow him. At the house he enters, tell the man in charge, ‘Our Teacher sent us to see the room you have made ready for us—where we’ll eat the Passover supper this evening.’

“He will take you upstairs to a large room that will be perfect for our needs. Prepare our Passover meal.”

You know, if Jesus had asked me to do this when I first started to follow him, I might have asked: “What if there is no man carrying water? And what if he doesn’t go into a house? And if he does go into a house, what if there is no upstairs?”

I’ve learned that it’s easier if I just do what he tells me to do.

So, we went into the city and found everything as Jesus had said, and prepared the Passover.

It was an amazing week.

That night we gathered together in that very room and took part in the feast of unleavened bread. During this part of Passover, the only bread to be eaten is unleavened. It is in remembrance of the unleavened Bread our ancestors ate as they hurried out of Egypt.

That evening, we were sitting at the table breaking and sharing the bread and remembering the powerful time of God’s deliverance of our forefathers from Egypt.

But when we prayed for the meal, it was different: Jesus told us that this bread was his body, which would be broken for us.

…I wasn’t sure what he meant then, but his body was broken today.

Then he poured the wine, and said that this wine was his blood—that it was the seal of the new covenant, which would be poured out for us.

And his blood was poured out today…

But what stunned all of us last night was when Jesus told us that one of us would betray him! I was shocked! “It’s not me, master, is it?” we all begin to say at once.

Andrew cried “It’s not me,” Nathaniel assured everyone of his honesty, and Peter said HE would never do something like that.

Then Peter challenged the rest of us: he wanted to know which of us would be cowardly enough to do such a thing?

One thing led to another and now we were arguing about who was the greatest among us. Again, Peter speaks up and mentions that, since Jesus had given the keys of heaven, that this counts for something!

I’m ashamed that we all joined in the argument.

But quietly, while none of us noticed, Jesus went into a corner of the room and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he brought a bowl of water over to where we were sitting, and he prepared to wash our feet.

This is a common custom in our land, but it is only done by the lowest of the low. He looked like a common slave! What was our Master doing?

He came up to Peter, and Peter said, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “What I’m doing may not make sense now, but later you will understand.”

“No!” said Peter. “You will never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

Peter’s expression instantly changed—“Well, then Lord, why stop at my feet? Wash my hands and my head as well!”

Jesus smiled and said, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; because his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”

As he washed Peter’s feet, he said, “This is how you are to treat others. If I being your master serve you, then you ought to serve others as well.”

Then Jesus spoke to Peter and said, “Peter, Peter, Satan has desired to have all of you and split you apart as men sift wheat to separate the kernel from the chaff. But I am praying for you. Here is my new commandment for you:

“Love each other. In the same way I have loved you, you must love each other.”

“Love each other. In the same way I have loved you, you must love each other.”
John 13:34

His words stung and I couldn’t catch my breath. Just moments before, each of us was comparing ourselves to the other—and now I felt so small.

It was an amazing week.

But then Jesus said again, “It’s true though, one of you is going to betray me.” We were at a loss for words, because no one knew who it was he was talking about.

I was leaning against Jesus, since I was sitting closest to him, and Peter motioned to me with his head, as if to say, “Ask him which one of us it is.”

I leaned back and asked Jesus. He said it is the one to whom he would give a piece of bread. He took the bread and gave a piece to…Judas Iscariot. Immediately, a shadow came over Judas.

Jesus said, “Go, quickly. Take care of your business.”

None of us knew what Jesus meant but, since Judas had charge of the money box, we thought he had to get something for Passover, or give an offering to the poor.

Judas, with his head down, got up and left immediately. And as the door opened we all noticed, for the first time, how dark it had become outside.

After this, Jesus led us outside the city and we walked into an olive grove called Gethsemane.

In Hebrew, Gethsemane means “The Olive Press”—a place of crushing.

This garden is at the foot of the Mount of Olives. When the olives come off the mountain for harvest, the oil is pressed out of them here in this garden.

All of us followed him into the Garden, and he asked us to stay in a certain place while he went to pray.

Then he took Peter, James and me with him into the garden and he began to be in terrible distress. I could tell by the way He shook and carried himself. His movements seemed slow and difficult. It was as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

He told us to stay here and keep watch. As we did, he moved a bit further beyond us and fell to the ground where he prayed.

I heard him ask his Father, if it were possible, to let this cup of sorrow be taken away from him. Then he said, “But, Father, whatever it takes, I want to do your will, not mine.”

It seemed only moments later that he walked over to Peter and James and found them asleep. He told us we ought to stay awake and pray. He went away to pray again, said the same thing, and came back and found all of us asleep this time — and then he went to pray again and found us asleep a third time!

If you were there, would you have slept?! I’m ashamed to say that we did. there was so much going on, and we were all exhausted.

But all of a sudden, a crowd arrived with torches, and weapons—I was awake now. They were a group of soldiers—a regiment—of Temple guards and Roman soldiers, about six hundred in all. I was never so frightened in all my life.

Jesus stood up and Judas made his way out of the crowd, walked over to Jesus and kissed him. Then Judas stepped back…as if to join them.

What was Judas doing with this angry mob?!

All of a sudden Jesus stepped forward and spoke in a loud voice, “Who are you looking for?”

Many of them said, at the same time, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

“I am.” Jesus said. When Jesus said, “I am,” the whole crowd drew back and fell to the ground.

I stood there with my mouth open!

Again Jesus asked them, “Who is it you want?” And some this time said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Now if I had not been so frightened, I might have laughed! It was a strange sight to see 600 soldiers and guards on their backs, struggling to get off each other, with Jesus asking them again, “Who are you looking for?”

“I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”

I am telling you, it was an amazing week!

I did some quick math: it was about 50 to one—12 of us against 600 soldiers. I felt a surge of courage!

But before I could even move, Peter, who had a sword, pulled it out and took a swing at the head of one of the men upfront, who was the servant of the high priest…the man’s name was Malchus.

Malchus dodged just in time, but Peter grazed his head, cutting his ear off.

But Jesus told Peter, “Put your sword away! I must drink the cup the Father has given me.” And then Jesus reached out and healed the man’s ear. Even in this dark hour, Jesus cared for other people—even those who despised him.

Then Jesus allowed the soldiers with their commander and the officials to arrest him. They tied him with ropes, cinching them tightly.

What cowards.

A man who was surrounded 600 to 1, bound and led away like a common criminal.

Jesus called my brother James and me Sons of Thunder.

I didn’t feel too thunderous just then.

Feelings are a funny thing, aren’t they? One minute you’re ready to take on the world—the next, you’re running for your life.

And that’s what we did.

Day 4 continues here…

Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006.

Image by Florian Kurz from Pixabay

Seven Days 2

have faith and do not doubt

Seven Days is a first-person account by John the Disciple of the final seven days before Jesus’ resurrection. Part 1 can be found here.

Tuesday

Tuesday morning we left Lazarus’ home to return to the Festival. We were walking back to Jerusalem to return to the temple when we passed the fig tree we had just seen the day before.

Yesterday it was green, with shoots growing from it, but now it was withered—dried out—from the roots up. How could such a thing happen in one day, we wondered? Peter said, “Teacher—look! The fig tree you cursed…it’s withered!”

Jesus said, “Listen carefully: have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, you could even say to that mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

We arrived in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, many of the religious authorities approached him. They asked him “By what authority are you doing these things?” “And who gave you authority to do this?”

Jesus replied, “Let me ask you a question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’….”

The truth was, they feared the people, for everyone said that John really was a prophet.

So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Jesus said, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Then a group of Pharisees and followers of Herod questioned Jesus about the payment of taxes to Caesar. It struck me as odd that these two were on the same side of anything, because each of these detested the other.

The Herodians, who were supporters of the Roman government of the Herods, detested the hypocritical Pharisees. And the Pharisees had nothing in common with Herodians—they hated their Roman overlords.

So the Pharisees didn’t want the Roman tax; but the Herodians did. The two came together to trap Jesus the same way two hunters would corner an animal.

They said smilingly, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

But Jesus saw right through them.

“Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” He asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s” they replied.

Then Jesus said to them, “Give fully to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God fully what is His.”

Jesus was amazing!

After that there were questions about marriage and heaven, the resurrection; the greatest commandment.

As I watched Jesus speak with the religious authorities, it was as if he were real and they weren’t…it was as if he were a master painter—his words were like beautiful, lucid strokes of truth—true truth! Words that burned in the hearts of everyone there…everyone but the religious hypocrites. Their words were filled with guile & insincerity.

It was as if Jesus knew what the questions would be before they were even asked. But then He asked them a question:

He said: “Tell me, what do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?”

“The son of David,” they replied.

“So,” Jesus said “how is it then that David—speaking by the Spirit—calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”

For the first time, these questioners had nothing to say!

A HUGE crowd had gathered and were drinking it in. They loved it! It was an amazing week!

After that, Jesus warned the Pharisees and scribes of the danger that would come on Jerusalem.

As we were in the Temple, there was a huge group of people with us. These people saw Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb and raise him from the dead. These same people were spreading the word about Jesus at Passover. Many people, because they had heard this, came out to meet him.

This made the Pharisees livid. They said to each other, “Look, this is getting us nowhere. The whole world is going after him!”

Even gentiles crowded in to speak with him. When this happened, Jesus said “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

Immediately after He said this, Jesus became distressed. He prayed out loud to God the Father:

“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Shall I pray, ‘Father, save me from what is coming’? This is the very reason I have come! Father, bring glory and honor to your name.”

And to everyone’s amazement, God spoke back to Him!

I heard Him! He said “I have already done this, and I will do it again.”

Now, some who were there in the temple said it was only thunder, and others said it was an angel, but I know what I heard. It was the same voice I heard on the mountain when Jesus shone like there was sunlight coming out of Him.

On that mountain, God said, to us: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

I know it was God speaking to Him because I recognized His voice.

It was an amazing week.

Jesus told the crowd that darkness would be falling soon, and that they ought to trust in the light, while the light was with them.

We had no idea it would be so soon.

Wednesday

The Passover was still a couple of days away, so at sunset on Wednesday we returned to Bethany for dinner.

We were guests at the home of Simon the Leper—or should I say former leper, because Jesus healed him of that incurable disease.

As we were dining together, Mary poured the rest of this extremely expensive perfume on Jesus for the second time in one week, Only this time she didn’t just put it on his feet, instead, she poured it over His head.

Judas Iscariot said “do you know how expensive that is? This is a total waste. Why was’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”

When Judas said this, we all found ourselves mumbling in agreement with him — we had no idea what Satan had put into his heart.

But Jesus said, “Leave her alone; why criticize her for doing a good thing? You always have the poor among you, and you can aid them whenever you want; but I won’t be with you much longer. She has done what she could and has anointed my body ahead of time for burial.”

I think that was the last straw for Judas.

As I think about it, whenever the master would teach us, Judas would sit in the back and look through the moneybox. Lately, it seemed like the only two things he showed any interest in was money and revolution against the Roman government.

None of us liked the Romans, or the way they mistreated us. But Judas thought Jesus was on the wrong track. Judas would have been happier planning and carrying out something violent, or revolutionary.

But when Jesus taught, his descriptions of the Kingdom of God were amazing! Everyone who came to hear him hung on every word. When he painted a picture of God’s kingdom, and God’s justice and His power, we were transported to another place.

But Judas? He had no idea what Jesus was talking about. By the look in his eyes, you could tell he was off somewhere opposing Rome, or running coins through his fingers.

Day 3 Continues here…

Image by RÜŞTÜ BOZKUŞ from Pixabay

Christmas Chronicles, Day 31: Thank You!

Thank You!

If you are just discovering the Christmas Chronicles today, you can go to the beginning by clicking here.
Click here to go to Day 30 in this series.

Thank you for joining me in my Christmas Chronicles this past month.

And, as we head into the New Year, Erin and I want to wish you a Happy New Year!

Thank you for joining us again.

And here is the final gift for this season, looking forward to Jesus’ second coming. Joy to the World and the Hallelujah Chorus from our family’s project, “The Light of Christmas.”

joy-to-the-world-hallelujah-chorus Download

The Christmas Chronicles is a 31-day series, written by Bill Herried.

Bill is a pastor in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, and Master of Divinity from Corban University in Salem, Oregon—and he loves a good biryani.

Image by June Laves from Pixabay

The Christmas Chronicles, Day 29

A Star will rise.

If you are just discovering the Christmas Chronicles today, you can go to the beginning by clicking here.

Click here to go back to Day 28.

The Parthians had arrived in Jerusalem. The arrival of this entourage caught the royal officials off guard and the city was on high alert.

Servants of the king made contact, welcoming these visitors, and here is what they discovered:

While there were a core of dignitaries and scholars—men of influence—there was also a platoon—dozens—of soldiers, armed and watchful. Their job was to keep their company of travelers safe and complete the 2,000 mile journey they had been hired for.

Their presence put the entire city on edge.

A small band of dignitaries from this group of travelers, flanked by guards, approached the palace guards in Jerusalem and asked “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

No one in the palace had heard of a “newborn king of the Jews.” But within moments, this question was relayed to the king—who showed intense curiosity about the possibility of a new ruler. So the servants in the palace ushered these dignitaries into a meeting with the king.

In the presence of king Herodus, they said again, “We have traveled over 1,000 miles in search of a child. Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

The king heard the translator and instantly felt his stomach sink. “Newborn king of the Jews?!” he said to himself, “I am the king of the Jews—Rome itself had given me this title. Who is this newborn usurper,” he thought “and what kind of trouble are these Parthians trying to start?”

Herodus had ruled for decades and had ruthlessly executed anyone who threatened his rule. He had executed one of his wives and three of his own sons. He would find out where this “newborn king of the Jews” was and deal with him as well.

He called an emergency meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is this Messiah supposed to be born?”

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” —Matthew 2:4–6

“Bethlehem?! That is only a short 5 miles from here,” the king thought. He tried to focus on this new information, but all he could think of was Rome’s inability to overcome Parthia in the past. Rome had tried to expand the empire east across the Euphrates moving into Parthian lands, but it did not go well for the Romans. Encountering heavy losses, Rome retreated.

Now he sent these teachers away and called for a private meeting with these Parthian Magi. He did his best to smile as he questioned them, “When did you first notice the star?” After a brief time of questioning, he lied to them saying, “Yes, I’ve been awaiting his arrival as well. My scholars tell me that Bethlehem is the location for his birth. Now, go and search for the child and when you find him, come back and tell me so I can worship him as well.”

The Magi left the palace and continued their search for the child on a road leading south out of the city, to Bethlehem. As they began, the star they had seen in the east now reappeared. The cloud cover that had obscured it for a time now dissipated and the star clearly moved south. With renewed hope they continued their journey a short 5 miles to Bethlehem.

Bethlehem was only a small village, and when they came upon a particular home there, the star stopped moving.

They approached the house the star now rested over and introduced themselves to the owners of the home. They told him their purpose for coming and the owner called and introduced them to the young man, Yusif.

Yusif could not help but be distracted by the horses, soldiers and others who were traveling with these Magi. “Impressive,” he thought, “but what do these travelers with strange accents want from us?” Others who lived in the village came out of their homes, curious about this foreign entourage.

The visitors now told Yusif the purpose for their journey, and he said, “Well, yes, our young child was recently born and is here with his mother.” Yusif was stunned momentarily, hearing this title for their son for the first time: “newborn King of the Jews.” But their sincerity was unmistakable.

He led them into the house.

Here the Magi saw the child with his mother, Maryam. In unison, these men lowered themselves to the ground, bowing down to worship him. Each of them stared in awe at this young child, who was the focus of the prophecies and the goal of their journey.

They called outside to servants in their language, who brought traveling chests into the home. They opened these chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Both Yosif and Maryam were overwhelmed by these strangers bowing before their son. But now to be lavished with priceless gifts?!

Grateful and in wonder, they gave thanks for the generosity of these strangers who had traveled a thousand miles to seek out their son.

Now, satisfied they had discovered the goal of their journey, the Magi knew they could return in peace. They camped the night, planning to return to the palace the next morning to inform the king on their return trip.

However, they were warned in a dream not to go back to the king. So after a brief rest and resupplying their stores they left at night, unannounced, to return home—by a different route.

But when the king learned he had been outwitted, he was furious.

Click here to continue to Day 30.

The Christmas Chronicles is a 31-day series, written by Bill Herried.

Image by Evgeni Tcherkasski from Pixabay

The Christmas Chronicles, Day 28

The last thing Herodus wanted was even a hint of conflict with these strangers. They seemed peaceful, yet he remained suspicious. “Why had they come and what was their agenda?” he wondered.

If you are just discovering the Christmas Chronicles today, you can go to the beginning by clicking here.

You can access Day 27 here

During this time, a platoon of mounted Parthians marched into Jerusalem. It was a massive entourage whose presence was impressive—and alarming—particularly to king Herodus.

The Parthians controlled all of the land east of the Euphrates. Their soldiers were not only skilled fighters, but they were particularly skilled at archery on horseback. The last time Herodus had seen this many Parthians carrying weapons was in a war 35 years ago.

He remembered that an overwhelming force of these warriors supported a successful coup with the Hasmonean rebels against Rome, killing the previous Roman king over Israel—Herod’s father, Antipater. Not only was Antipater deposed, but Rome lost control of this territory.

Since Herodus was loyal to Rome, he fled the country in fear for his life. He then went to Rome and appealed to Caesar, who appointed him as sole king over Israel. He was given the title, “King of the Jews.”

Shortly after this he returned to Palestine with a powerful Roman force that destroyed the Jewish Hasmonean rulers—those responsible for the coup. And Rome regained control.

Herodus was installed as their puppet king over the entire country and, for the past three decades, he had ruled us with an iron fist.

Until now.

Now the sight of these mounted Parthian warriors—at his palace—triggered the fear and anxiety he had experienced some 35 years ago. The last thing the king wanted was conflict with these strangers. They seemed peaceful, yet he remained suspicious. “Why have they come and what are they up to?” he wondered.

Click here to continue in Day 29

The Christmas Chronicles is a 31-day series, written by Bill Herried.

Image by Evgeni Tcherkasski from Pixabay

The Christmas Chronicles, Day 24

A vast number of angels—the armies of heaven.

If you are just discovering the Christmas Chronicles today, you can go to the beginning by clicking here.

You can go back to Day 23 here…

That same night, in the nearby fields, shepherds brought their sheep together preparing to bed down for the night.

Out of nowhere, the night sky burst open with light, and a messenger of God appeared to them! His light overwhelmed the shepherds and they were terrified.

But the messenger said,

“Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in an animal’s feed trough.”

Suddenly, the messenger was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

After this, the angels returned to heaven. The shepherds looked at each other and said, “Let’s go to the village of Bethlehem and see what has happened—which the Lord has made known to us.”

They ran hurriedly into the village, finding Maryam and Yosif along with the baby, who was lying in an animal’s feed trough—just as the messenger had said.

Seeing all this, they excitedly shared with everyone what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were filled with wonder about what the shepherds had told them.

But Maryam stored every detail in her mind, pondering their significance in her heart, even as the years passed.

The shepherds, then, returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was exactly as they had heard from the messengers from heaven.

The Savior is born!

I hope you can join us at CenterPoint tonight for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service! 7-8PM. See you then.

Merry, merry Christmas to you and yours.

Today we have two gifts from our family’s album project The Light of Christmas. Both O Come All Ye Faithful and Brightest and Best.

Enjoy!

o-come-all-ye-faithful Download

brightest-and-best-of-the-sons-of-the-morning-o-little-town-of-bethlehem Download

You can continue in Day 25 here

The Christmas Chronicles is a 31-day series, written by Bill Herried.

Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay

The Christmas Chronicles, Day 23

“This is insanity,” Yusif fumed.
“Wasn’t it enough that you have occupied our land?” he said out loud—as if to the emperor himself.

If you are just discovering the Christmas Chronicles today, you can go to the beginning by clicking here.

You can access Day 22 here.

It is shocking how often the Halls of Power accomplish God’s will—usually without their knowledge.

The Roman emperor, Augustus, had declared that a census was to be taken across his empire. This included all those living in the land of Israel as well.

Although Yusif and Maryam lived in the north, they were both descendants of King David, so they were required to make the 95-mile journey to their ancestral home in Bethlehem for this census.

“This is insanity,” Yusif fumed as they set out.

“Wasn’t it enough that you have occupied our land?” he said out loud—as if to the emperor himself. He had just begun the journey on foot with his betrothed from their village in Nazareth to the village of Bethlehem.

“Wasn’t it enough that you drown our people in taxes to pay for your soldiers, who oppress us?” he said again.

“Wasn’t it enough that you talk down to us, treat us like cattle, and despise us to our faces?” he vented. “Now I am forced to march my fiancé for days while she is in her 9^th month of pregnancy, to take part in this pagan census, so you can collect more taxes from us. What more do you want?”

During these moments, Maryam only looked down and remained silent. In truth, she was glad to be leaving the judgmental glances of others in Nazareth.

It was halfway into their journey that Yusif realized that his thoughts did nothing to help speed their journey. Because Maryam was so near to the end of her pregnancy, it became clear that the more he dwelt on his anger the less he was able to care for her—in fact, he realized his words and attitude were causing her distress.

He purposed at this point to turn from his speaking to the air. “Besides,” he thought, “why should I be angry at a man I will most likely never meet?” So, turning from his anger, he made it a point to be focused on helping Maryam arrive quickly to his ancestral village: Bethlehem. “This journey is wearing on her—I must be watchful for Maryam’s sake,” he thought.

When they arrived, they found the village was filled with travelers, clogging the streets and all available accommodations.

Yusif grimaced. “The census…” he muttered under his breath—then bit his tongue.

No sooner had they crossed the threshold of the village, did she began experiencing birth pangs. Yusif refocused on finding accommodations. Quickly.

The only shelter he was able to secure was in a cave—a place used for livestock. “Can this whole journey become any more insane?” he thought to himself.

He smiled at Maryam, “At least it will be a secure place for us to rest, out of the elements,” he said in his bravest tone of voice. Then he added, “It will only be a short stay here.”

She nodded, hopefully.

They cleared a space to spread out the bedding they had traveled with. And in this cave, with only livestock as witnesses, Maryam gave birth to her firstborn.

A son.

And they named him Jesus, as their messengers had instructed.

Today’s gift is from our family’s album project The Light of Christmas. Josiah, Sarah and Shannon sing O Holy Night.

o-holy-night Download

You can continue in Day 24 here.

The Christmas Chronicles is a 31-day series, written by Bill Herried.

Image by Tim Hill from Pixabay

The Christmas Chronicles, Day 22

Everyone in the village knew Maryam was pregnant and they assumed Yusif was the father.

But Yusif knew different.

If you are just discovering the Christmas Chronicles today, you can go to the beginning by clicking here.

You can access Day 21 here

Soon after the birth of Elizabeth’s and Zechariah’s son, Maryam returned home.

As time passed it became increasingly obvious that she was pregnant. Maryam explained to her fiancé Yusif what the messenger had said, but Yusif could not accept this.

While they had been engaged for several months, Yusif could no longer remain in this relationship. Her pregnancy consumed his thoughts. “This is not the Maryam I know” he thought. “This cannot continue. Everyone in the village knows that Maryam is pregnant, and they assume that I am the father.”

But Yusif knew different.

And this betrayal cut deep. The Law of Moses allowed for him to break the engagement publicly, showing everyone his innocence. This would show everyone that he was in the right and that Maryam was in the wrong.

But the more he thought about this, the sadder he became—so, in his grief, he decided to break it privately…and then move on.

Soon after this, as he pondered how he would break the engagement, a messenger of the Master appeared to him in a dream.

“Yusif, son of David,” the messenger said, “do not be afraid to take Maryam as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus (“The Salvation of God” in the old language), for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”

Yusif woke up with a change of heart. He did what the messenger of the Master told him and took Maryam as his wife. But he had no sexual relations with her until her son was born.

Today’s gift is from our family’s album project The Light of Christmas. I am singing the song Come All Ye Shepherds.

come-all-ye-shepards Download

You can continue in Day 23 here.

The Christmas Chronicles is a 31-day series, written by Bill Herried.

Image by Mila Del Monte from Pixabay

The Christmas Chronicles, Day 20

Maryam marvels at this—but she remembers the messenger’s words: “Nothing will be impossible with God.”

If you are just discovering the Christmas Chronicles today, you can go to the beginning by clicking here.

You can go back to Day 19 here.

Maryam’s journey to visit her relative Elizabeth confirms the messenger’s words: Elizabeth is 6 months into her pregnancy.

Maryam marvels at this, because Elizabeth is far beyond the age of child bearing. But she remembers the messenger’s words: “Nothing will be impossible with God.”

“Nothing will be impossible,” she repeats to herself. Maryam treasures these words, keeping them in her heart.

Now, Elizabeth’s words sink in—knowing nothing about what the messenger had said to her, Elizabeth confirms the words the messenger gave to her—that she would give birth to the Promised One.

A virgin will give birth?

The reality of this thought overwhelms Maryam, and her eyes fill with tears of joy. Her heart bursts with words of thanks and praise to God for His goodness, and with a trembling voice she sings

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
    and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy,
    and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation
    to all who fear him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
    He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
He has brought down princes from their thrones
    and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped his servant Israel
    and remembered to be merciful.
For he made this promise to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and his children forever.”

Maryam remained the next three months with Elizabeth and Zechariah in their home until their son John was born.

Today’s gift is from our family’s album project The Light of Christmas. Erin sings The First Noel.

the-first-noel Download

You can continue with Day 21 here

The Christmas Chronicles is a 31-day series, written by Bill Herried.

Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay

The Christmas Chronicles, Day 19

The flame of the Promised One’s arrival has ignited their hearts. And soon it would ignite the world!

If you are just discovering the Christmas Chronicles today, you can go to the beginning by clicking here.

You can access Day 18 here.

The messenger had gone, but Maryam could not contain her excitement.

“My relative, Elizabeth, is expecting a child…in her old age? And she is six months pregnant? How was that even possible?” she wondered.

Excitedly, she hurried from her village in the north, to the hills of Judea in the south. The 80-mile journey took a few days , but the miles melted quickly behind her as she walked. She had to know—was the message true? Was Elizabeth expecting?

When she arrived at the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth, she entered the house greeting Elizabeth. At the sound of Maryam’s voice, Elizabeth’s child leapt inside of her, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Spirit of God.

Elizabeth cried out to Maryam, “God has blessed you in a way that no other woman will experience. You are blessed and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored that the mother of my Master should visit me? When I heard your voice, the baby in my womb leapt for joy. You are blessed because you believed the Master would do what he said.”

Overwhelmed with joy, Maryam had the answer to her question and the confirmation of the angel’s message.

“And,” Maryam later mused, “how is it that the first to recognize the presence of the Promised One was an unborn child?”

The flame of the Promised One’s arrival has been ignited in their hearts. And soon the world would know.

Today’s gift is from our family’s album project The Light of Christmas. It is Hark The Herald Angel’s Sing, but instrumental and…kinda fun. Here it is:

hark-the-herald-angels-sing Download

Continue with Day 20 here

The Christmas Chronicles is a 31-day series, written by Bill Herried.

photo courtesy of Youversion Bible