Draw Near and Ye Shall be Heard!

 

This year I watched one of my two favorite holiday movies, Miracle on 34^th Street on Christmas evening, after the presents were open and scattered, and the kids gone home. My husband, somewhat reluctantly sat beside me in our adjacent recliners.

I always enjoy this movie and always at Christmas time, but this year, one phrase from the movie remained in my mind over the next few days:

“Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye. All persons having business with the Special Term, Part 3 of the Supreme Court held in and for the County of New York, draw near and give your attendance, and ye shall be heard.”

The court bailiff issued this announcement, almost singing the oft’ repeated phrase, as the judge entered the courtroom and took his place on the bench.

The entire courtroom stood to their feet as the judge entered, and once he had sat down behind the bench, they were permitted to sit down.

Draw near.

Is anyone in need of justice?

Draw near.

Are you in an impossible situation, being taken advantage of, lacking the resources to defend yourself?

Draw near, and you will be heard.

The judge promises in that two word phrase, draw near, to listen intently, judge impartially, to deliver justice.

People need hope. I need hope. I need to know that someone hears me. Someone knows my voice, gives me the right to speak, and promises to listen and rule justly on my behalf.

It’s just a movie, right? Just an old phrase that used to be said in antiquated courtrooms.

No, not so. There is still justice. “But God is the judge, and justice comes from him.” Proverbs 29:26.

And the weary, broken, persecuted and discouraged may run into his courtroom and still find justice. His courtroom? He now presides over a court that is always open, never closed down for holidays, never off limits. His courtroom is also his Throne Room where his saints through the ages have found mercy and justice to help them in their times of need.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Or in my favorite version, The Passion Translation:

“So now we draw near freely and boldly to where grace is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.”

So draw near! Yes, there’s still justice available. There’s still someone on the bench who will listen and rule in your best interests. A just judge, a true “justice” on the high court.

And not only does he beckon you to draw near to the court for justice. He invites you into relationship with him, to run into his heart.

Hebrews 6:18-20

“So it is impossible for God to lie for we know that his promise and his vow will never change! And now we have run into his heart to hide ourselves in his faithfulness. This is where we find his strength and comfort, for he empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time—an unshakable hope! We have this certain hope like a strong, unbreakable anchor holding our souls to God himself. Our anchor of hope is fastened to the mercy seat in the heavenly realm beyond the sacred threshold, and where Jesus, our forerunner, has gone in before us. He is now and forever our royal Priest like Melchizedek. “

It’s true, believe it! Join me before the Throne. Draw near and you will be heard!

Hidden for you to find...

 

Reading through the book of Proverbs again this month, I came across that wonderful concept of searching for hidden treasure in Proverbs 25:2

“God conceals the revelation of his word in the hiding place of his glory. But the honor of kings is revealed by how they thoroughly search out the deeper meaning of all God says.”

I love how Bill Johnson explains in his teachings and books this concept of God hiding things from us. Bill shares the story of hiding Easter eggs when his kids were little. He says that he and his wife hid them often in plain sight, on a picnic table, or at the foot of a tree, when the kids were toddlers. They did not hide them up in the tree or on the roof where the kids could never find them, or if they actually did see the eggs up there, they had no way to retrieve them. No, he and his wife hid the eggs for the kids to find. The hiding places were age specific and grew more challenging as the children matured and could actually reach up into a tree to grab one.

It get frustrating sometimes when we feel like we don’t understand a situation we’re confronted with, and God doesn’t seem to be revealing what’s behind it, or how to deal with it. That’s when it’s good to remember that God is not hiding the answers from us, but for us, hiding them for us to find when we thoroughly seek him.

I was reminded of a short passage from my recently published book, Running with the Prophets, where I describe an imagined interaction between the prophet, Elijah and his parents when he was a young boy:

“Some of my earliest memories were of quiet mornings assisting my abba tending our terrace gardens. Well watered with rain from heaven and dew from the earth, our olive trees grew rapidly, producing some of the finest oil. Ima often prayed for me to grow tall and strong like an olive tree in the courts of Yahweh, our God. Abba sang over our family nearly every morning, “Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children like olive plants around your table.” Ima and I laughed and danced as he sang! (Psalm 128:3)

I learned many lessons from Abba and Ima, but none so great as when Abba took me away for a few days, camping outdoors near our vineyards.

“You are becoming a man, Elijah. And I want you to know who you are.”

I laughed.“Oh, Abba, I know who I am. I am Elijah, son of Savah and Natanya, of the tribe of Benjamin!”

“Yes, my son, but there is more to your identity than your parents and your tribe.”

I looked up at Abba and waited for him to say more.

“Elijah, your name means ‘Yahweh is my God’. Do you understand what that means, for Yahweh to be your God?”

“I think so, Abba. It means that I worship the one true God. I don’t worship idols or objects that I can see in front of me. But, Abba, I do wish I could see the God I worship!”

“Ah, but you do see, Elijah! You see the sun rise each morning, and set each night. You see the vineyards bulging with the grape harvest, the olive branches heavy with fruit, the goats playing on the hills!”

“Yes, but I don’t see him, I don’t see Yahweh, and Moses taught us that ’You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.’”

“Ah, but do you remember what Moses prayed for? He asked Yahweh, ‘Let me see your glory,’ and what happened next?”

“I know! I know!” I stood up then and recited the words of Moses.

“Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “Yahweh, Yahweh, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” (footnote ?Exodus 34:5-7)

Abba’s face beamed as he listened to me recite what he had taught me.

Then Abba continued. “My son, when Moses saw God’s glory, what do you suppose it looked like?”

“Light brighter than the sun! A presence bigger than a giant!”

Abba laughed and pulled me close. “Elijah, Yahweh is my God. Today I challenge you to pray the prayer of Moses. For the rest of your life, ask and keep on asking Yahweh to show you his glory. Yes, it’s a mystery, but one worth pursuing. It’s a bit like when you play ‘guess which hand’, with your ima. You know she’s got something sweet in her hand, and you know it’s for you. She’s not hiding it from you, but for you. For you to find. Yahweh is like that, my son. Search him out all your days. He’s not hiding his mystery from you, but for you to find when you search for him with all your heart.

“And you, my son, will continue to speak the very words of Yahweh, both from the Torah which you have memorized, and also those mysteries you hear as you search for Yahweh with all of your heart. Your words will be weighty, life changing and life saving to kings and commoners in the days to come. I challenge you today, Elijah, to say what you hear, and speak what you see. The world needs to hear from Yahweh, and you will deliver the words he gives you at just the right time. Although it may be difficult, even dangerous at times, to deliver the messages Yahweh gives you, you can trust him to take care of you, because Yahweh is your God.”

I felt Yahweh’s presence that day, although I could not see him. And I fell more and more in love with this mysterious God for whom I was named, the one inviting me to search for him in all his mystery.”

So today, I invite you to listen to Father God’s invitation to seek him for the answers you need about that problem, that job, that relationship. And hold tight to Jesus’ promise: “Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

The Unforced Rhythms of Grace...

 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-20 The Message.

Sound inviting? That's the kind of invitation that the prophet Elijah received from God after he fled from King Ahab. Elijah had just delivered the bad news to King Ahab that the nation was being judged for their sins by an extended period of drought. In my book, Running with the Prophets, I imagine that encounter Elijah experienced with God . Imagine with me and enjoy this excerpt from my book : 

    Then the word of the Lord came to me again: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.”

Kerith Ravine, A Place of Seclusion and Provision

I fled the city as quickly as possible and headed east toward what I hoped was the location of Kerith Ravine. I had heard of the place, but had never been there myself. Abba had described it as a beautiful, but secluded place, hidden by cliffs with the sparkling fresh water of the Wadi Al Yabis stream running through it. The words of the Lord continued to run through my mind, filling me with hope and purpose as I hiked through the wilderness. Although I didn’t know the way, somehow, as if the Lord himself guided me to know when to turn to the right or the left, I stumbled into the ravine as evening approached.

I sat down, shrugged off my pack, and knelt by the stream to quench my thirst. Then sitting back, I suddenly realized that I couldn’t remember the last time I had eaten. In my haste to flee the city, I had taken no provision. But what had the Lord said? Something about ravens…

I heard them before I saw them, the coarse croaking call of the ravens as they appeared over the top of the cliff and headed straight for me! I covered my face as they dove at me and then I heard several thuds on the ground. When I looked up, the ravens were gone, leaving behind a perfectly baked loaf of bread and a large portion of meat.

“Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has kept me alive and preserved me and enabled me to reach this season!”

I ate the bread and meat and drank again from the stream. Exhausted, I lay down and slept.

In the morning the ravens woke me as they dropped my breakfast from the sky, more bread and meat. I spent the day exploring the caves surrounding the ravine until the ravens reminded me it was dinner time, and I ate again and then slept.

So my days continued in my secluded wilderness hideaway. I wasn’t lonely, although I never heard a voice other than my own as I prayed and sang to my God. It was as if the ravens fed my physical being, while God himself fed my soul. I found myself taking silly delight in the tiny flowers that pushed right through the rock face of my cliff side home to bloom in the bright sunlight. I carried handfuls of water from the stream and watered them daily. I enjoyed watching the progression of the sun across the sky each day and the unveiling of the stars every night. I felt full in so many ways, so loved and cared for by Almighty God, El Shaddai himself.

After a time I noticed the stream was drying up in the drought. The prophetic word I had proclaimed at God’s direction was coming to pass. No rain had fallen in the land since I uttered God’s decree. One day there was not even a handful of water left to water my flowers, and they died. The ravens came one last time and I choked down a dry breakfast with none of the sparkling water to wash it down.

Although I had felt God’s presence teaching my soul those weeks at the ravine, I had not heard his audible voice since the day he gave me the words to deliver to King Ahab. But that morning, as I sat by the dry stream bed he spoke again.

“Elijah. Don’t linger here any longer. There is nothing here for you now.”

He knew my heart. I had felt safe here. I felt His presence every evening as I returned to camp and every morning when I awoke, just as sure as the bread and meat that arrived by ravens twice each day. I did not want to leave this place of comfort and provision. I understood then that was precisely why there was no longer any water. It wasn’t a safe place for me anymore, because God was leading me elsewhere. And I realized that any place God led me was where I wanted to be. He was my comfort. He was my provision. I had trusted him with my life when I agreed to speak his dreaded words to our king, and he had been so very trustworthy. I knew I would go anywhere he led me.

To purchase a copy of my book, copy and past the following link:

https://www.amazon.com/Running-Prophets-Finding-Intimacy-Yahweh/dp/B0G2ZWT4JK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=34B56K9W1JPD8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Cjj8iFEOjmAQt7ZQT_VkykLP7JgELtOHThmsEurMuy98wb7MuslAiBdJzoNvpbdsfn5UJrTE8EgCefvB3hOKtxVERnF9AyOm2k1skzCAs7GTJfYODPSrDvYUF4jNdNzSUPO1pj6cUjEp7jbIxKFvy548DvrVjgpwHtyJR7jmP7z9dnPs1WyRpJL1tlmJH9GWsguMbgVjlbHApHisQwp30cUsC5dUGtYLEhskZS4NVJI.G6bpxJQdg7z9iZIf-dI_z5tuhaEb0qUfguZULUXjwn0&dib_tag=se&keywords=running+with+the+prophets&qid=1764346159&sprefix=running+with+the+prophets%2Caps%2C379&sr=8-1

Mommy's Favorite Book

 

When my mom was battling cancer 3000 miles away from me in California, a wonderful thing happened. The ladies who lived on my brother, Brett’s street came to welcome and visit with their new neighbor. They invited my Jewish mama to their bible study, where they introduced her to her Jewish Messiah, Jesus!

I would call Mommy on Monday nights – you still had to pay long distance phone charges back then – and I began to read to her over the phone. I chose my favorite book of the Bible, Hebrews, written from a Jewish perspective, since I thought she would identify with that New Testament book more than any other.

We had only gotten through a few chapters when I got the call from my brother, Brett, that Mom had passed.

I had visited Mommy once in California, accompanied by my sister, Roberta. My brother, Timmy bought both of our plane tickets so we could go. One of the neighbor ladies came with me and my sister to visit Mommy in the hospital. Knowing that her daughters needed to needed to hear from Mommy’s own lips about her encounter with Jesus, the neighbor asked Mommy point blank, “Doris, did you receive Jesus as your personal Savior?”

And I got to hear Mommy answer, “Yes I did!”

But after she passed, I began to doubt. Did she really meet you, Jesus? Is she really in heaven with you now?

My big brother, David was a missionary in Irian Jaya while Mommy was battling cancer. We contacted Dave overseas to let him know Mommy wouldn’t be around much longer and could he come home to see her. Mommy hung on a couple more weeks while Dave made the arrangements to travel home.

Dave was one of the last persons to see Mommy before she died.

So I decided to call Dave with my doubts. I was already crying and could hardly speak when I heard Dave’s voice on the other side of the phone.

“Dave, I need to hear something. I need you to tell me about your visit with Mommy before she died. Did she really know Jesus?” I managed to croak out into the phone.

Dave got it. He’s smart like that. “I asked Mom if I could read from the Bible to her, and she said yes. Then I asked if there was any part of the Bible she would like to hear.”

Now Dave didn’t know that I had been reading Hebrews to Mommy over the phone the past several Monday nights.

“She asked me to read Hebrews.”

Then I knew, I knew she had fallen in love with the God of her people, and her Messiah, Jesus.

“I read her the entire book all 13 chapters.”

So, all that to say I loved the book of Hebrews before Mommy died, but after she passed, I loved it even more. And I know I’ll be reading to her again when I join her one day in Glory.

And just this month, I’ve been studying Hebrews again, coming home to that familiar place I fell in love with so many years ago. Watch my blog for future posts from my, and Mommy’s, favorite book.

Daddy's Singing Again

 

At the end of the day I made my daily walk to the post office, just two doors down from my office. As I walked, I heard a song. An old song, by Keith Green, a Christian recording artist from the 70’s who was killed in a plane crash. “When I hear the praises start…” And I knew Daddy was singing over me again.

This is what I feel like when you look to me and praise me in the middle of everything, he said. I just want to rain blessings upon you, not condemnation, blessings that will fill you up. I do care about you. Stop believing that lie. When I look at you I see my daughter – I don’t see any stains, just my sanctified child, my chosen Bride. To me you’re only holy – nothing that you’ve done remains, only what you do for me.

“When I Hear the Praises Start”, by Keith and Melody Green

My son, My son, why are you striving
You can't add one thing to what's been done for you
I did it all while I was dying
Rest in your faith, my peace will come to you

For when I hear the praises start
I want to rain upon you
Blessings that will fill your heart
I see no stain upon you
Because you are my child and you know me
To Me you're only holy
Nothing that you've done remains
Only what you do for Me

My child, My child, why are you weeping
You will not have to wait forever
That day and that hour is in My keeping
The day I'll bring you into Heaven

For when I hear the praises start
My child, I want to rain upon you
Blessing that will fill your heart
I see no stain upon you
Because you are My child and you know me
To me you're only holy
Nothing that you've done remains
Only what you do in Me

My precious bride, the day is nearing
When I'll take you in My arms and hold you
I know there are so many things that you've been hearing
But you just hold on to what I have told you

For when I hear the praises start
My bride, I want to rain upon you
Blessings that will fill your heart
I see no stain upon you
Because you are My child, and you know Me
To me you're only holy
Nothing that you've done will remain
Only what you do for me.

So I sang along with Daddy as I walked. 

Inside the post office, the young lady ahead of me was interacting with the clerk and then spoke to him as she walked away, “have a blessed weekend”.

Ooh, a sister! I thought, and I hurried after her. She held the door for me and I told her, now you have a blessed weekend! You are loved by the Father. She smiled and said yes, I know. You are highly favored, I added. You are, too, she said. Then we walked side by side out of the post office. Outside I touched her shoulder gently and said, how wonderful to meet a sister. Then I told her about the Keith Green song God was singing over me earlier, and I sang a few lines over her. She was too young to have heard of Keith Green, but she loved the words of the song. Then this young lady I'd never met before turned to me, hugged me and gave me a kiss on the cheek before she headed to her car, and I headed back to the office to wrap up my day.

Such a lovely way to end the work day, my work week. Thank you, Daddy for family that I haven’t even met, all around me. Bless her extra special this weekend.

And please let Keith Green know that you’re still singing his song over your kids. That will bless his heart for sure.

Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIgVU_5FsqA

Between the Living and the Dead

 

“He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.” Numbers 16:48

Numbers can be a difficult book of the Bible to read through. It's filled with lists of, what else, numbers. Counting the members of the 12 tribes of Israel, and their children, the numbers of the fighting men of each tribe, and so on. Numbers and more numbers.

But Numbers 16 pauses from the counting to describe some devastating events that Israel experienced on their journey to the promised land. In that chapter, a group of people following a man named Korah challenge Moses and Aaron’s leadership. God defends the calling on Moses and Aaron by causing the earth to open up and swallow the Korah rebels and then close back up over them. Right after that, Korah’s group of 250 Levite priests were offering incense at the Lord’s altar, something that they were not authorized to do according to God’s laws. Suddenly, “fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.” (Numbers 16:35)

The Israelites were devastated and terrified, wondering who would be next on the chopping block. And rightfully so, since the next day God sent a plague that began on the outskirts of the community and people began to drop dead.

That’s when Moses called out God’s instructions to his brother, the high priest, Aaron. “Quickly!”, he urged. “Run! Take your censor and fill it with incense and burning coals from the Lord’s altar and make atonement for the people before they are all destroyed.”

Aaron may have hesitated for a second. Run? He was not a young man, probably at least 100 years old. But he was asked to run to the aid of the very people who had challenged him and called for his removal as their priest. Was his life in danger to even approach them? But Moses said “Run!” and Aaron took off sprinting to the altar where he filled his censor with the incense and coals. Then, fully equipped with the incense from the altar, 100 year old Aaron ran with all his might into the assembly where people were dropping to the sand, one by one, overtaken by the plague God had sent. Immediately the sweet smell of the warm incense permeated the camp, and the plague stopped in its tracks. But not before nearly 15,000 people had died.

Aaron fulfilled his role as priest that day. But what is the role of a priest? Doesn’t God now call his children a kingdom of kings and priests?

Revelation 5:9-10: “...with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God…”

So on this week where I learned of the deaths of two saints of God, one a dear friend and believer for over 50 years, and the other newly washed in the blood of the Lamb, only hours before his death, I listened to the Daily Audio Bible reading of Numbers 16.

Verse 48 caused my heart to quicken as I knew Holy Spirit had more to teach me on my role as a priest. The role of a priest is to stand between the living and the dead. To run to the people who may disagree with me, to the ones standing in protest of the truth of God’s word.

And my weapon to halt death in its tracks? 

Incense.

You see, also in Revelation, God describes the incense that burns constantly in the Throne Room of heaven: “Then the eighth angel with a golden incense burner came and took his place at the incense altar. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer up, consisting of the prayers of God’s holy people, upon the golden altar that is before the throne. And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the holy ones billowed up before God from the hand of the angel.” Revelation 8:3-4

Incense as my weapon... The time that I spend in intimacy before the Lord, praying the prayers on my heart, and praying the prayers on the Father’s heart, those prayers ascend to the very Throne Room of God. But not only are my intimate prayers a sweet smelling incense to Father God, but they are also a formidable weapon to be used to stand between the living and the dead, to stop the plague of hell that is capturing and swallowing up people all around me. Will I stand back afraid, or will I bare my heart and rescue the ones dying for lack of a Savior “and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death”. (Hebrews 2:15 )

Bill Johnson tells his church, “We owe people an encounter with Jesus”.

So what does it look like to stand between the living and the dead and let the incense of my intimate relationship with Father God rescue people around me?

Sharing the love of God with a stranger.

Teaching a “good news club” at a local school.

Praying for random people in need that I encounter at work and in the marketplace.

Hugging one of God’s kids or pre-kids as I whisper prayers on their behalf.

Telling the stories of my encounters with God, so other can smell his fragrance, like sweet incense, and taste and see that he is good.

2 Corinthians 2:15 “For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.”

His presence changes everything.

So, fellow priest, come with me to the Throne Room and let’s worship the Lamb and store up the incense that will stop death in its tracks.

Christmas Day in heaven, as I imagine, December 25, 2024.

 

As she slept, Mary kept hearing the words of a Christmas carol they’d sung in the Throne Room the night before, Christmas Eve.

“Mary, did you know…”

She awoke and found tears streaming down her face. “No,” she thought to herself, “I didn’t know, but now I know and, wait, it’s Christmas! I have to go find him and thank him!”

Mary slipped from her bed, leaving a slumbering Joseph curled up under the soft quilt. She quickly dressed and tip toed out of their bedroom. When she reached the front door she carefully opened it, stepped outside and pulled it shut as silently as possible. Then she turned to run toward the Throne Room, and ran right into Yeshua.

Jeshua caught her up in his arms and spun her around. “Ima, it’s Christmas!”

Mary laughed and nestled her head under his chin. “I know, I know!”

“Where are you going in such a hurry, Ima?”

“I had to find you, I had to thank you.”

Yeshua pulled back and looked into her eyes. “Ima, that’s why I’m here at your door this morning. Because it’s Christmas and I had to thank you.”

“For what?” they both blurted out at the same time.

Laughing, they embraced again, and again Yeshua lifted Mary off her feet and swung her around.

“Come,” Yeshua tucked his mother’s arm inside his own and led her toward the Throne Room, which he had arranged to be very near the beautiful cottage he had prepared for her and his step-father, Joseph.

He grinned. “Ladies first. Now tell me what woke you up so early that you had to run into me and practically knock me off my feet to tell me.”

Mary shook her head at his silliness and punched his arm playfully. Then she looked up to his face.
“Seriously, I dreamed all night about the words of the Christmas carols we sang last night around the Throne, and woke up weeping over all you did for me.”

Mary wiped away a tear and continued. “Of all the young girls in Nazareth, you chose me. Before you sent Holy Spirit to abide in your people I heard his whispers. When Gabriel came and scared me to death, I somehow knew that he was from Yahweh, delivering a message from Yahweh himself. When he said that nothing is impossible with God, Holy Spirit confirmed in my heart that it was safe to say yes to God. And with each challenge Joseph and I encountered on that painful trip to Bethlehem in the last days of my pregnancy, Holy Spirit whispered again and again. No rooms to let for the night, but God provided a stable. No mother or mid-wife to assist me to deliver my firstborn child, but Joseph was there, believing right alongside me that what the angel had told me, and him, was true. Then the shepherds came - somehow they knew you were here and had to see you. The magi came and brought treasures and proclaimed you a king! Those treasures financed our flight to Egypt to preserve your life when Herod tried to have you murdered along with all the young babies. And I knew each time, Holy Spirit whispered with each trial, “this is the right path, Yahweh will provide. Do not be afraid.”

“I treasured everything, every encounter, every trial, every provision in my heart, and I still do. I am so blessed, so wealthy with all these treasures filling up my heart. So, I had to run to you this morning, my son, to thank you.”

“Oh, Ima”. Yeshua pulled Mary into his arms and rocked her gently, as she had once rocked him so many years ago.

“Now it’s my turn.” Yeshua looked into his mother’s eyes and gently laid rough, nail scarred hands on her cheeks.

“Ima,” Tears sprung up in his eyes. “Thank you for bearing the shame of what appeared to everyone as an illegitimate pregnancy. Yes, I know how you suffered silently, knowing that you were still a virgin, but somehow with child, while the townspeople whispered and many shunned you for a sin you never committed.”

“Ah, yes, but you gave me two who believed my story. My Joseph – you sent the angel to tell him the truth about me, and he never left my side after that. Oh how I leaned on his strength as we traveled to Bethlehem those many miles. He never wavered as he stooped down to be a mid-wife for me. He was the first to hold you in his arms, tears streaming down his face, and call you by your name, Yeshua, for the very first time.”

“And you gave me my aunt, Elizabeth. Oh what an encouragement she was to me just as my pregnancy was becoming too evident to disguise. How good of your servant, Gabriel to tell me that my elderly aunt, Elizabeth, the one who was called barren, that she had somehow conceived a child and that she was already in her sixth month. I ran to Elizabeth, knowing that she could well understand what I was feeling; she lived with the shame of barrenness so many years, and I bore the shame of harlot.”

“But I wasn’t prepared for the greeting I received when I stepped through the doorway into Zechariah and Elizabeth’s home. As soon as I greeted my aunt, her eyes lit up and she clutched the sides of her large abdomen. I thought she was going into labor, as did Zechariah and we ran to her. But she began to weep and praise Yahweh. I remember vividly the words she spoke over me that day as the Holy Spirit filled her up. I later shared this encounter with Luke, who included my story in his gospel.”

Mary began to recite the scriptures Luke penned in Luke 1:42-45, and Yeshua, still gazing into her eyes softly recited the verses with her, to her:

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:42-45

“Yes, Ima, blessed are you who believed every word Yahweh spoke, believed when you could not see. Thank you for preparing the way before me, for believing in me before you conceived me. Truly blessed is she who believed without seeing that the Lord would fulfill all that he promised.”

Mary rested her head on her son’s shoulder. “Fulfill is surely a pregnant word, my son. Not only was the promise fulfilled, but I am fulfilled, completely satisfied and filled up with all that Yahweh has done for me.”

“Wait, Ima. I’m not done thanking you yet.” Yeshua stepped up onto his Throne, and took his mother onto his lap, cradling her under his chin.”

Mary sighed, then laughed. “Full circle!” she cried. “The one who held you is now held by you.”

Yeshua continued. “Ima, thank you for enduring that trek to Bethlehem. I know it was hard, bouncing along on the donkey. Abba Joseph tried so diligently to look after you, but he could not begin to feel the pain you were experiencing with every jolt of the bumpy path.”

“And the utter weariness you felt, as your labor began, and every inn turned you and Joseph away. There was no shelter in sight.”

“Then after enduring so much, you learned that you would give birth in a stable!”

“Ah, but Joseph was my comfort, constantly reminding me and himself that this was an assignment from Yahweh, and that he would enable both of us to complete it. He helped me lie down on some fresh hay along the wall of the stable so I could push back on it as the labor pains increased. Then he emptied the manger and refilled it with fresh, sweet smelling hay and lay the swaddling clothes on top. I cried as I watched him prepare for you.”

“And then with one final push, you were born, and I heard your voice for the first time, crying out. Joseph cleaned you up with some water near the stall and swaddled you tightly to comfort you. Then he laid you in my arms and I gazed into the eyes of my Lord and Savior and every pain, every discomfort, every fear, every derogatory word spoke over me fell to the ground. It was worth it! You were worth it! You were so worth it!” Mary’s body shook with sobs as she leaned against her son.

“But the trials were far from over.” Yeshua softly whispered. “Do you remember the words that old Simeon spoke over you?”

Mary nodded, remembering the wonderful and awful words the old prophet had uttered.

Yeshua recited the words penned by Luke:

“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 on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:25-35

“Yes, Ima, you may not have understood what Simeon meant at the time, about a sword piercing your soul, but as you stood beneath me at the cross, witnessing a mother’s worst nightmare, watching her son die, you surely knew then.”

Once again Ima’s body heaved with sobbing as Yeshua’s arms tightened around her. Once her sobs subsided, Yeshua spoke again.

“Ima, I knew you were there, witnessing what no mother should ever have to see. But I thank you from the bottom of my heart that you stayed until I breathed my last. It was as if you who had birthed me into this world, were now birthing me into the next world.”

“And yet,” Ima reminded him. “Even as you shuddered in pain, you thought of me, instructing your dearest friend, John to take me as his own mother.”

“Yes, Ima. But I want you to know that I heard your every sob, felt every shudder that rippled through your body as you stood with me. Your tears like liquid prayers came right into the Throne Room and, much like Joseph’s words of encouragement as he coached you through my first birth, helped me to transition out of this world upon my death.”

Mother and Son quietly held each other and wept. As they opened their eyes, they found that the saints had silently gathered around the Throne and were worshiping the Lamb who was slain for them, and marveling over the blessed one, she who had believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!

Mary slipped from her son’s lap onto the floor and joined the ones on their knees surrounding the Throne. Then together they rose and cried out as one, “Merry Christmas, Jesus!”